1996_12 The Daily Collegian December 1996

              6.1996
Life & Style
WHAT DOES KWANZAA
MEAN TO YOU ?
Tina Webber
Age: 22
Major: Mass Communication and
Journalism
"Kwanzaa is a celebration of the seven
principles that we need to bring back into
the African-American community. It's
special to me. and I'd like to bring it into
my family and make it a tradition because
some of our traditions are being lost. I
feel we need to hold on to our culture."
^News
briefs.
Durrell James
Age: 23
Major: Graphic Design
"I've heard about it. and I know about it.
I've seen it on TV and at a museum in
Oakland. We really don't celebrate it like
we should. Kwanzaa is a beautiful
celebration that should be practiced
more." ,
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Sean Wheatley
Age: 22
Major: Industrial Technology
"The only time I've seen [Kwanzaa) is on
TV. I've known about it for a long time,
but I don't practice it."
POETRY
CloraAsh
Age: 32
Major: Mass Communication and Journal -
*Tve never celebrated it before. My
knowledge is quite ignorant I went to my
first celebration last year, and it was great.
Now I'm going to strive to find out more
about Kwanzaa and apply it to my life.
WHY AM I BLACK?
By RuNell NLEbo
(Santa Ana) An Orange County judge has granted a hearing to former Black Panthers leader
Geronimo Pratt to see if there is enough evidence to warrant a retrial. Pratt was convicted in
1972 of murdering a teacher, but he has consistently maintained his innocence. Pratt's
attorney. Johnnie Cochran. Jr.. says new evidence has surfaced to show that Pratt was framed
by the FBI for the murder "because of his affiliation with the Black Panther Party.
(Oakland) The Task Force on the Education of African-American Students has told the
Oakland Board of Education that most black students need to be classified as bilingual
• because they speak a language known as Ebonics. Most black students understand spoken
English, the group says, but there is a language barrier that often prevents them from decod¬
ing written English. One solution, they say. is for the district to spend more money on
teacher training, curriculum, and supplies on behalf of black students.
(San Francisco) The American Civil,Liberties Union and a coalition of civil rights groups
moved Friday, November 29. for expansion of the existing court injunction against Proposi¬
tion 209 to ensure that the University of California and other agencies maintain existing
Affirmative Action programs. Preserving the status quo at the University of California is
particularly important because undergraduate admission applications were due Monday.
December^.
Lord. Lord
Why did You make me Black?
Why did You make someone
The world wants to hold back?
Black is the color of dirty clothes.
The color of grimy hands and feet
Black is the color of darkness.
The color of tire-beaten streets.
Why did You give me thick lips.
A broad nose and kinky hair?
Why did You make someone
Who receives the hatred stare?
Black is the color of the bruised eye
When someone gets hurt.
Black is the color of darkness.
Black is the color of dirt.
How come my bone structure's so thick.
My hips and cheeks are high?    ,
How- come my eyes arc brown
And not the color of daylight sky?
Why do people think I'm useless?
How come I feel so used?
Why do some people see my skin
And think I should be abused?
Lord. I just don't understand
What is it about my skin?
Why do some people want to hate me
And not know the person within0
Black is what people arc "listed"
When others want to keep them away
Black is the color of shadows cast.
Black is the end of the day.
Lord, you know my own people mistreat
me
And I know this just ain't right.
They don't like my hair
They say I'm too dark or too light.
Lord, don't You think it's time for You
To make a change?
Why don't You re-do creation and
Make everyone the same?
GOD ANSWERED:
Why did I make you Black?
Why did I make you Black?
Get off your knees and look around.
Tell me. what do you see?
I didn't make you in the image of darkness.
I made you in the likeness of ME!
I made you the color of coal from which   .
Beautiful diamonds are formed
I made you the color of oil. the black gold
That keeps people warm
I made you from the rich, dark earth that
Can grow the food you need.
Your color's the same as the black stallion.
A majestic animal is he.
I didn't make you in the image of darkness
1 made you in the likeness of ME'
All the colors of the heavenly rainbow can
Be found throughout every nation.
But when all of those colors were blended.
You became my greatest creation.
Your hair is the texture of lamb's wool.
Such a humble I it tic creature is he
I am the Shepherd who watches them.
I am the One who will watch over thee
You arc the color of midnight sky
I put the stars' glitter in your eyes.
There is a smile hidden behind vour pain.
That's why your cheeks are so high.
You arc the color of dark clouds formed.
When I send My strongest weather
I made vour lips full so when vou kiss the
One that you love, thev will remember
Your stature is strong, your bone structure
Thick to withstand the burdens of time
The reflection you see in the mjrror...
The image that looks back is MINE