Seven Days of Principles

A post-Christmas celebration

Comments (0) By Paul Friswold Wednesday, Dec 24 2008

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Kwanzaa has been celebrated in its current incarnation for 42 years, which is still early days for a holiday. But the seven guiding principles behind Kwanzaa have been around much longer – it’s hard to argue against ideas such as “unity” and “creativity,” after all. This year, the hot principle will be Ujamaa, or “cooperative economics.” With the current state of the economy (this is being typed on a Speak & Spell hooked into a mostly-broken Dictaphone, for Pete’s sake), people should really be looking for a better financial theory than “run it into the ground and beg for a bailout.” These three theories – unity, creativity and cooperative economics – are demonstrated ably at Kwanzaa: A Cultural Celebration, at the Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park (314-721-0072 or www.slam.org). At 6 p.m. in the auditorium, keynote speaker Rudy Wilson discusses the holiday and its meaning, and you’re invited – that’s unity right there. Wilson is joined by Moja Moya and Company, a group of drummers and dancers – there’s your creativity. At 7 p.m., adjourn to the sculpture hall where kids can participate in a make-and-take Kwanzaa gift project while all ages enjoy Kwanzaa-themed refreshments and the music of David A.N. Jackson and ACOOAAH! – that’s even more creativity. And the cost for all of this? Free admission, and if “free” isn’t cooperative economics, what is?
Fri., Dec. 26, 2008