Community gathers to celebrate its unity

Cultural symbols represented important aspects of the event.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The inside of New Bethel Baptist Church was filled with symbolism, music, colorful attire and graceful dance moves -- with unity as the showpiece.
Around 300 people came to Monday's Kwanzaa event at the church, 1507 Hillman St. on the city's South Side. Monday marked the first day of the seven-day Kwanzaa celebration. The program's theme was Umoja (unity), one of the Seven Principles on which the observance is based.
The two-hour event, sponsored by the Harambee Coalition, featured a variety of dances by the Harambee youth as well as recitation and explanations of the Nguzo Saba, or the seven guiding principles. They are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
Also part of the program were candle-lighting and naming ceremonies.
Significance
Kwanzaa, which means "first fruits," was brought to the United States in 1966 "for people of African descent to celebrate their history, heritage and culture," explained Lynnette Miller, a guidance counselor at East Middle School and one of the program's coordinators. Miller pointed out that Kwanzaa is based on a "character-building philosophy," and that it is a cultural and spiritual celebration open to people of all religious backgrounds.
Miller outlined the meaning of several of the principles such as Nia (purpose) and Imani (faith). Part of Nia is to teach young people that they can choose a positive plan and can avoid drugs, teenage pregnancies and other destructive paths, she said.
Miller added that it's important for black people to keep their traditions going and that unifying as a community is needed for its health.
"If people came together, this community wouldn't be so devastated, and it wouldn't have so much black-on-black crime," she said.
Kenneth King, a member of the Harambee organization, explained the significance of several symbols on display. King, who hosts the Brother Kay radio program on WGFT-AM 1330, explained that the Kinara (candleholder) holds seven candles -- one each for the Seven Principles -- and represents black people and their connection with those in Africa.
Other symbols were Muhindi (ears of corn) that stand for each child in a family, and a Mkeka (mat) that is symbolic for black people's traditions and history, King said.
Naming ceremony
Seven members of the Harambee youth were given African or Swahili names during a naming ceremony. The youngsters earned their names by serving at least three years in Harambee and "showing dedication and consistency," said Ron Miller, another of the event's coordinators.
The names were selected, Miller noted, to capture the kids' personality traits and characteristics.
Encouraging Umoja
Ron Miller also spoke and emphasized the importance of Umoja (unity), saying that the black community has made progress by electing Jay Williams, the city's first black mayor. More work, however, lies ahead to improve many of Youngstown's neighborhoods, he added.
"[Electing the mayor] is to be celebrated," Miller told the audience. "But he can only be as effective as we as a community allow him to be. Our job is just beginning."
The next Mahoning County Kwanzaa program is set for 6 p.m. Friday at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, 328 S. Forest St. It will focus on Nia (purpose) and will have choirs, mimes and soloists from area churches.
The Harambee Coalition, a youth dance group, and Associated Neighborhood Centers will sponsor an Imani (faith) program at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the McGuffey Centre, 1649 Jacobs Road. Those taking part will be asked to bring a covered dish for the Karamu (community feast). Dancing and poetry will be featured.