The nightly news spotlighted Valerie Golden and the author of "Sweet Potato Pie Underneath the Sun's Broiler". Having met Dr. Karenga, the founder of Kwanzaa, we were honored to share some insight--especially after an historic presidential election.
Here is the article from KION News:
Kwanzaa Celebration BeginsSALINAS, Calif. - The seven-day holiday celebration of Kwanzaa began on Friday.
Developed by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, Kwanzaa was created as a way to reaffirm basic principles of African culture. Each of the seven days coincides with a particular principle that contributes to building society and community. The seven principles are called the Ngubo Saba:
THE NGUBO SABA
Umoja (Unity)
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Nia (Purpose)
Kuumba (Creativity)
Imani (Faith)
More than 20 million people around the world take part in Kwanzaa celebrations. President Bush has released his formal Kwanzaa message to the nation, marking it as a time "to celebrate the many contributions of our African-American citizens."
For some, this year's Kwanzaa celebration carries a special meaning because of the election of the nation's first black president this past November. Former Monterey County NAACP president Valerie Golden says President-elect Barack Obama is a living embodiment of Kwanzaa's ideals.
"I am because we are," Golden says. "He is because we are and we were able to show the world that our values, our democracy are real."
Her son, James, a former Salinas community activist and current Master's candidate at Cal State Northridge, agrees. "I'm so glad we're starting to look at some of these principles and apply them to our existence here."
Check out the official news clip video from KION 46:
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