holidays

Hindu Festival of Colors Lights Up Fairgrounds Saturday

Dan Craft

The Pantagraph

If a rainbow suddenly turned to powder and poured down in Technicolor torrents over the McLean County fairgrounds this Saturday, you'd get something close to the second annual Festival of Colors.

The event, a local version of Holi, the ancient Hindu religious festival, is brought to us in living color ... literally.

"For the first event last year, we had a little over 250 pounds of colored powder," notes event co-organizer Vinod Nambiar. 

It was completely gone before the event was scheduled to end ... "up in the air, on the floor, everywhere."

Color, you see, is the whole point of Holi, a spring-based festival celebrated mostly India and Nepal in February or March.

As part of the celebratory rituals, colored powders are flung every which way ... dabbed over faces, smeared on clothes, tossed into the air, thrown underfoot and generally left permeating every pore and molecule.

The Twin Cities' version of Holi debuted in late March of last year inside Bloomington's Interstate Center.

It was the brainchild of fellow State Farm Insurance employees Nambiar and Leyons Philip, both members of B-N's Indian fusion band, Exit 167 (named after the I-55 exit ramp into town where the men found their fellowship and music).

Hoping to spread the music of Exit 167 outside their built-in audience of B-N's Indian-Asian community, the men decided to branch out into event management.

Their first endeavor was last year's initial Festival of Colors, a many-hued success for all concerned.

"Holi is basically a celebration of friendship, unity and togetherness ... a festival of love," says Nambiar. "In recent years, they've started spreading out of India and into Europe and the United States."

Nambiar and Philip put their heads together. "Let's try to do this here in a big way the first time."

Hence their choice of the Interstate Center, where they figure around 500 or 600 people would turn out to toss colored powder and enjoy some food and music on the side. 

To their surprise, double that number turned out. "People were ecstatic ... they loved it. And the kids had a ball," recalls Nambiar.

Best of all, he says, the crowd mix wasn't exclusively Asian-Indian, with an estimated 35 to 40 percent of the attendees hailing from outside that community.

For the second fest, the organizers decided to move the event into April and outdoors, the McLean County fairgrounds.

A large, 5,500-square-foot tent will provide protection of the weather doesn't cooperate.

About that colored powder, which is central to the festival's hourly "Throwing of Color" rituals: "It is 99.97 percent cornstarch-based," notes Nambiar, meaning it won't stain or wreak other fabric havoc.

The powder comes in five colors representing love, forgiveness and other matters of the heart and soul: red, neon green, yellow, orange and blue.

During the throws, the power will be tossed into the air and allowed to permeate the atmosphere as well as cover the floor, says Nambiar.

In addition, everyone entering the festival gate will be marked with a dab of color on the forehead or skin area of your choosing (not mandatory).

Thereafter, you're on your own.

"There are some do's and don'ts," Nambiar adds. "We discourage people from bringing in any outside colors. That's to assure that we know everything is 100 percent safe and organic."

In addition, "We do tell people not to dress in their best." Though the colors won't stain, the substance will cling to clothes and shoes.

"So we try to tell people to make sure you shake really well before you get into your car to leave," he says. "And then take a warm shower when you get home."

Uptown Christmas Embraces Inclusivity

In the wake of the social media furor over the Minnesota Mall of America's first African-American Santa Claus, Uptown Normal and the NAACP proudly partnered in an inclusive holiday at Santa's Station uptown.

All volunteers Saturday were persons of color, "in the hopes of creating a more inclusive experience for members of our community."

The Mall of America, the largest indoor shopping center in the United States in Bloomington, Minnesota, had never hosted a black Santa for its Christmas festivities since it opened in 1992. This year the owners of the Mall of America’s Santa Experience decided to change that and sought out multicultural Santas to add to their roster.

That search resulted in the discovery of Larry Jefferson, a retired U.S. Army veteran who’s been working as Santa throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 1999. After meeting another Santa from the Mall of America at a Santa convention in Missouri, Jefferson was interviewed and hired to work at the shopping behemoth for four days.

Unfortunately, the mall's decision met with a torrent of racist posts and comments on social media. 

"You know, I’m just Santa, and it has been blessing to see all kids smile when they see me," Jefferson responded. "I’m a Santa for all. Whether it’s African-American kids, Hispanic, Asian, caucasian, it doesn’t matter. It’s not about race for me. Santa is Santa. But for kids to see a Santa that looks like them is like, wow!"

 

NAACP and Downtown Normal Announce Santa's Station Partnership

The Town of Normal, Uptown Partners, and the NAACP are proud to announce a new partnership this holiday season.  Each year, thousands of kids and families come to Santa's Station in Uptown Normal for a chance to meet the big man himself!  Visits to Santa's Station are free, but donations are accepted with proceeds benefiting local charities including Special Olympics.

Program coordinators noticed during the first several years of operation that the accessible location and low cost drew an extraordinarily diverse patronage.

"In operating Santa's Station for the past few years, we've seen all sorts of kids and families come out that we might not typically see at some of our events," says Uptown Manager Joe Tulley.

At the same time, The McLean County Museum of History honored Merlin Kennedy as a 2015 History Maker. Mr. Kennedy was at the center of a strong debate that raged in Bloomington Normal surrounding the racial identity of our favorite holiday icon, Santa Claus. In the late sixties, the NAACP attempted to enter a float featuring a black Santa Claus in the annual Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade and was barred from participating, prompting debate and protest from both sides of the issue.

The diverse nature of the Santa Station audience, combined with an awareness of community members' struggle to participate in holiday traditions, inspired the new partnership. On Saturday, December 12, from 12 to 4 p.m., and Friday, December 18, from 4 to 8 p.m., the NAACP will host Santa's Station featuring a diverse cast of volunteers in key roles.  The goal of the partnership is to create a fun experience while enhancing the effort to be more inclusive in our shared traditions.

"I am honored to be a part of such an inaugural event because this is truly history in the making," says Takesha Stokes, B-N NAACP 1st Vice President. "There is still much work to be done in the area of diversity and inclusion; however, this will move forward our efforts of breaking barriers and working to change the norm in Normal-Bloomington."

Santa's Station is open throughout the month of December, visit UptownNormal.com for Santa's Station hours and details.
 

Archana: Festival of Lights Illuminates Life, Relationships

Archana Shekara

Oil lamps used in Deepavali celebrations are lit in earthenware pots. People do use candles but oil lamps are usually preferred.

Oil lamps used in Deepavali celebrations are lit in earthenware pots. People do use candles but oil lamps are usually preferred.

Deepavali or Diwali is the Hindu festival celebrating the return of Lord Rama to his capital city Ayodhya. People welcomed the king's return by decorating their homes with Rangoli (intricate patterns on the floor) and rows of lights. Deepavali means a row of light or series of light..

Deepavali falls on October or November depending on the Lunar calendar. A few Hindus celebrate the festival as their new year. The lightening of the lamp during the new moon day symbolizes the removal of darkness and ignorance from our lives and welcoming light and prosperity. The hymn or shloka is chanted along with shanthi (peace) mantra:

Aum asato ma sadgamaya

Tamasoma jyothir gamaya

Mrtyomamrtam gamaya

Aum Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi hi

Lead us from the unreal to real

Lead us from darkness to light

Lead us from death to immortality

Aum peace, peace, peace!

The festival is celebrated for five or three days. In north India it is celebrated for five days. The first day is Dhantheras where Goddess Lakshmi, consort of Lord Vishnu is worshiped for good health, love and prosperity. The second day is celebrated as Naraka chathurdasi. Lord Krishna (avatar of Lord Vishnu) liberated 16,000 women who were kidnapped by king Narakasura. People celebrate the day to mark liberation of soul reaching the divine. The third day is New moon and is Deepavali. It celebrates the return of Lord Rama (avatar of Lord Vishnu), his consort Seeta and his brother Lakshmana along with his greatest devotee Hanuman to Ayodhya the capital city of Khosala. On this day, Goddess DhanaLakshmi is worshipped for wealth and prosperity. The fourth day is Bali Padyami which commemorates the return of king Bali to Earth. King Bali was sent to the underworld or Pataala Loka by Lord Vamana (avatar of Lord Vishnu) to rule the underworld. King Bali was a great devotee and a generous donor who donated the entire Earth, Sky (ether) and finally himself (surrendering oneself) to the Lord. The last day is Bhai Dooj which celebrates the bonding between brothers and sisters.

During Deepavali, friends and families get together to celebrate the festival. The festival is celebrated in the evening with lightning of lamps and fireworks. Traditional Indian vegetarian dishes and sweets are exchanged as people celebrate the festival collectively.

Black History Month Pt. 1: Santa and Civil Rights

History highlights the monumental deeds of giant men, but it also documents the great small steps of ordinary but courageous citizens and the events that moved the wheel of social progress, if even an inch. Over national Black History Month beginning next week, we will examine the lives, deeds, and struggles of McLean County African-Americans who made a difference. Here's one unusual but significant episode in the community's history.

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In November 1966, the Twin Cities tasted a yuletide sampling of the social discontent that was continuing to mount across the nation, as city fathers decreed there was only one Santa Claus -- and he wasn't black.

Merlin Kennedy challenged that assumption, as he had for much of his adult life. Kennedy later challenged State Farm, spurring new corporate opportunities for African-Americans, and in 1977, he was honored for his efforts on behalf of his community with a local Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Adult Human Relations Award.

Kennedy was born in Decatur and drafted into the Navy right after high school graduation in 1945. He was discharged a year later, and spent several years in Detroit, moving to Bloomington in 1958 for better employment opportunities. He soon became involved with the local chapter of the NAACP and civil rights issues. He also served as chairman of the Bloomington Human Relations Commission.

Kennedy in 2010

Kennedy in 2010

In 1966, the annual Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade featured a float with a white Santa Claus; another float, with Kennedy, a black man also portraying Santa Claus, was not allowed. The NAACP float arrived at Franklin Park as promised, with Merlin Kennedy in his Santa Claus costume in a sleigh, but according to the Nov. 20, 1966, Pantagraph, the float was blocked at Main Street. Kennedy, then NAACP president, and three other companions climbed down from the float and led a protest on the Bloomington courthouse square before Kennedy was told by a Bloomington policeman he was under arrest for disturbing the peace."

He reported also being "pushed around" by a policeman and "a couple other strong arm boys." The quartet was detained temporarily, but Kennedy ultimately was not arrested, and the incident gained some national attention.

It wouldn't be the first time Kennedy shook local sensibilities in the interest of social equality. Kennedy “got on State Farm’s case” about not hiring minorities and convinced the corporate giant to hold night classes to improve minorities’ skills. The company began hiring minorities, and at the prompting of Kennedy, also approached the colleges to find minority students.

His wife, Beulah Jones Kennedy, was his partner in the struggle. Mrs. Kennedy was born and grew up in Bloomington, attending Bloomington public schools through high school, and Illinois State University for 1 1/2 years.

She worked at St. Joseph's Hospital and was active in the local NAACP, where she was a firsthand witness to Bloomington-Normal's employment and housing situations.

Camille: Not So Different

Camille Taylor

for WJBC-AM Forum

December 17, 2014

Do you remember the Seinfeld T.V. show when they celebrated “Festivus?” The main characters celebrated around an aluminum pole and had the traditional “airing of grievances” and “feats of strength.” The expression, “Festivus with the rest of us!” became very popular. I started thinking about how many different ways people all over the world celebrate holidays, particularly in late November through December. So of course, I “Googled” it, and here’s what I found. Of course most of this listening audience is familiar with the Christian celebration of Christmas which commemorates the birth of Jesus. Some who prefer a total secular celebration recognize the Winter Solstice which is the day when nighttime is longest and daytime is shortest. Buddhists celebrate Bohdi Day or Rohatsu around December 8th. It recalls when Buddha sat beneath a Bohdi tree, a type of fig tree, and was believed to achieve enlightenment thus escaping repeated incarnation. Jewish people celebrate Hanukah which is the Feast of Dedication and Festival of Lights. It recalls a time when a war was being fought for religious freedom. There was only enough oil in the candles for one day in a Jerusalem temple. However, the candles burned for eight days. Muslim holy days are fixed to the lunar calendar. The Feast of Sacrifice or Day of Sacrifice occurs during the 12th lunar month of the Islamic year, and it recalls when Abraham intended to follow God’s instructions to sacrifice his son Ishmael. Wiccans and some Neopagans celebrate Yule at Winter Solstice time. Yule was a pagan religious festival observed by historical Germanic peoples that was later absorbed into and equated with Christmas. From this small sample, you can see that no matter where in the world you live or whether you practice religion or not, people are celebrating and recalling some type of observance during this time of year. My proposal is that instead of debating over secular versus religious observances, we recognize that our world is a huge tent. We have plenty of room under that tent for people to observe and celebrate their individual customs without it being a threat or a problem to anyone else. So, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Bohdi Day, or whatever, but most importantly, enjoy the time you have with the people you love the most. I’m Camille Taylor for the WJBC Forum.