Kwanzaa: Kujichagulia

Credit: Nia Media

If someone asks you today, "Habari Ghani?" respond by saying, "Kujichagualia." Yes, you can say it too. (koo-jee-cha-ga-leah).

After lighting The Black Candle of Umoja last night, Kwanzaacontinues today on the theme of "Self-Determination."


Kujichagulia(Self-Determination), the second principle of Kwanzaa, means "To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves."

Be sure to vist Bay Area Kwanzaa (http://baykwanzaa.blogspot.com) for today's Kwanzaa events in the Bay Area.

Kwanzaa celebrations are taking place in San Francisco, Vallejo Oakland this afternoon, along with the annual Kwanzaa event in Vallejo by the Nairobi Cultural Committee.

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Kwanzaa: Umoja

If someone asks you today, "Habari Ghani?" respond by saying, "Umoja." On this first day of Kwanzaa -- an African American celebration of family, culture and community --the focus of the day is Unity.

Umoja (unity), the first principle of Kwanzaa, means "To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race."

Be sure to vist Bay Area Kwanzaa (http://baykwanzaa.blogspot.com) for today's Kwanzaa events in the Bay Area.

Great celebrations are taking place in Oakland, San Francisco and Sausalito.

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MUSIC: 'Black Santa' by Kev Choice

Check out the most recent episode of the "Daily Dosage" by Oakland bred artist Kev Choice.

This episode has "Black Santa" Claus coming to the town.

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Laney College hosts Kwanzaa event

Laney College's African American Studies department hosted a pre-Kwanzaa celebration in December 2009.

The event, which featured song and poetry by Tabia, along with dance by Rehema Bah, honored Dr. Carole Ward-Allen for her 40 years with the Department. The event was organized by Tamika Brown, Ethnic Studies Chair.

Event slideshow:

Photos by Aaron Lowe of the Laney Tower.

More Kwanzaa events and information at Bay Kwanzaa.

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Students protest Peralta Budget cuts

Peralta College students protested budget cuts at the December 17 Board of Trustees meeting.

Students criticized the Board for giving managers raises, while at the same time considering cutting critical student services and laying off employees.

The following video inaccurately cites fee increases as the reason for the protest, yet captures the spirit of the demonstration.


"Students protest Laney College cuts"

Prior to the meeting, Peralta students held a rally in the Laney College quad, before marching to the Peralta District offices.

For more accurate coverage of the meeting, visit the Laney Tower student newspaper or review The Black Hour host Reginald James' Peralta meeting Twitter coverage.

For information about Students Actions against Budget Cuts, visit No Cuts Peralta on Facebook.

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Video: Shady Nate "Planes, Trains and Automobiles"

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

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