Minutes from Meeting November 18, 2005, 12:15pm Rock Hall

Kwanzaa Celebration Notes:

Logistics:
Decorations: Afiya and Enesha:
50 dollars, will work from the symbols of Kwanzaa.
get cloth from Giles
www.officialkwanzaawebcite.org/symbols.html

Program, Flyer: Nixon:
Already has experience with this

The Program: December 9, 6-8

Welcome: Jeremy

Invocation: Quadricos

The meaning of Kwanzaa: Paul

Drumming and Dance: Renita will drum, terri will bring drums

The seven principles
The format will be a 5 minute presentation,
(for help see website www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/NguzoSaba.html)
Umoja: Shelia
Kujichagulia: Renita
Ujima: Quadricos
Ujamaa: everybody

then a selection by the Harambee ensemble: ( Nixon, Bob, Terri, Afiya :John p. Key song)

Nia: Nixon
Kuumba: Afiya
Imani: Terri

closing: Afiya
fellowshiping: eating and music

OPEN DISCUSSION

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directions to post your own articles and thoughts. blog away....and

ENJOY!

Retracing the Struggle

article submitted to the NAVE for publication:


“ Retracing the Struggle: Harambee at Harvard Divinity participated in city wide march reenacting the historic march to Selma.

Rain or shine, Sunday October 30, 2005 was to be a monumental day for the city of Boston. Members of Harambee at Harvard Divinity were determined to be apart of the reenactment of the historic march to Selma set to manifest itself in Boston as a march from Roxbury to the Boston Common. The day began with a rally at the First Church in Roxbury with local speakers and performers, and concluded with remarks by Sen. John Kerry and Rep. John Lewis, from Georgia.

The march to the common was layered with the singing of songs from the civil rights era, smiles and honks from passing cars, and ideal weather (especially due to the fact that it snowed the day before!) Harambee Harvard Divinity Students led the singing of “Marching to Zion,” and held signs as they marched. The march concluded with another speech by John Lewis and a reminder of upcoming local elections, and issues concerning the coming expiration of the Voting Rights Act in the US congress. For more information about upcoming events within the black community at Harvard, comments or ideas please visit harvardharambee.blogspot.com.

Are you a "sell out"?

“Selling out”
Harambee at Harvard Divinity candid discussion about what it is, and what it means within the black community.

On Friday October 28, 2005 members of Harambee at Harvard Divinity got together for a candid discussion about a complex issue in the black community, “Selling out.” In an informal and cozy environment off campus (at the house of the vice president, Renita Moore) several members wrestled with the issue, proposed solutions, and ate good food. Here are the highlights…

The discussion began with the basics- the attempt to define selling out. From there the topics ranged from a self reflective perspective asking the question whether we were sellouts, who are sell outs in general, the politics surrounding interracial dating and being seen as a sell out, the mega-church dynamic, and issues of class.


Also issues about tensions surrounding nationality, African Americans, and immigrants of African descent were brought to the table. The discussion was thick and deep. Without being said, all communities have issues. This discussion series gave the opportunity to discuss them in depth and offer suggestions.

But the discussion does not end there…it continues on this blog what do you think?
Harambee, let’s pull together.

Minutes from Meeting November 4, 2005, 12:15pm Rock Hall

Agenda:
Kwanzaa event
persepctive students, black administrative issues

Kwanzaa event: December 9, 6-9pm in Braun Room
Committees, NEXT MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 12NOON COME WITH A PLAN!
decoration: Enesh and Afiya
food: Lauren
Schedule of Events:
Afiya will dance
Kwanzaa candlelighting
Paul will coordinate history, a segment for each principle
African singing
Food at the end
MC: Jeremy McKay
Nixon will make the hardcopy program
(Kwanzaa princlples: http://www.endarkenment.com/kwanzaa/nguzosaba.htm)
Dancing, so the event won't just instructive but also festive
Assign each principle to a person

Black administrative issues:
Black Faculty are leaving, and not being replaced.
Are their positions are being elivated? It seems that there is no clear agenda to alieve the situation.
How to react to black perspective students, when the school is not minority friendly.
Theological education day was today, November 4, 2005. This is where tours of the campus and classes, so perspective students can get a feel for the school.
A loss of money for black students groups due to lack of black professors (money tied to professions, etc).
The administration is defunding ministerial staff and ministerial events. Mdiv has become more academic.

Main questions:
What are the main issues, administrative issues, are blacks repersented?
Is there black support?
Do we have to do the leg work?
Should we be doing more about actual recruitment?

The decision that needs to be made:
Do we work to recruit more blacks?
or Do we leave and let the funds leave with us so there will financial sting and possibly a interal change in strategy?
WHAT DO YOU THINK? POST YOUR COMMENTS....

(On a positive note, met a down-to-earth prospective student Darryl Walker see picture below:Terri, Bob, and Darryl, welcome brother)