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(From University Wire)
Byline: Susan Tebben
The lighting of the Kinara signifies the beginning of Kwanzaa and the retelling of the history of African-Americans -- a history that includes many changes rooted in struggle.
Sunday night at Baker Center Ballroom, the Ohio University Black Student Cultural Programming Board sponsored the 17th annual Kwanzaa Celebration. Kwanzaa is the African-American and Pan-African holiday celebrated from December 26 to January 1.
About 100 people attended the celebration, which included an explanation of the symbols of the holiday and a sing-along of "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," an African anthem. There was also a Karamu, or feast, which included African-American soul food, such as collard greens and macaroni and cheese.
Members of the BSCPB lit the Kinara, which represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
Keynote speaker M.K. Asante Jr., is a filmmaker, screenwriter and professor of creative writing at Morgan State University in Baltimore. His first film, "500 Years After," featured Dr. Maulana Karenga, founder of the Kwanzaa holiday. The film also "explored the psycho-cultural effects of slavery and colonialism on the African diaspora," Asante said.