2 • BENNETT BANNER • DECEMBER 11.1998
• OPINION • OPINION • OPINION • OPINION • OPINION
KENYA A. SAMUELS
Editor
What Christmas truly means to me
Growing up the Christmas season was always my favorite. To go
downstairs early in the morning and see what Santa left me was
always my incentive. The cookies and milk were always gone and so
was the note my younger brother left. I was nine when I caught my
parents downstairs.
They sat me down and told me that Santa Claus wasn’t all there
was to celebrate that day. My mom said that I should continue to be
thankful for the things I already had and grateful for the things
underneath the tree. My dad told
me that Christmas wasn’t all about
competing with your friends to see
who got the best presents, and
being out of school for a couple of
weeks.
In time I learned that the commercialization of the season has
taken away its true meaning. The day after Thanksgiving is a prime
example. The massive proportions of Christmas trees bought that
day has reached massive numbers. The hoards of people going in
and out of stores to start their hoUday shopping, stopping at nothing
to get the perfect gift is ridiculous. People haven’t let their turkey
digest and they are already worried about how to get the last “tickle
me Elmo” for their children.
Many people think the celebration of the birth of Christ is the true
meaning of the season. There are also some who say that He wasn’t
bom Dec. 25. Then there are those who don’t celebrate Christmas at
all. Regardless, there is a day set aside for people to come together
once again and reflect on the year.
The true meaning of the Christmas season to me is family. They
are the ones who will continue to be by my side through everything I
endeavor. Families are a celebration of life regardless of whose life it
STUDENT OPINION POLL:
is.
The opinion expressed in this column is that of the author and does not
necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire Bennett Banner staff.
Tta Bennett Banner
The newspaper produced by and for the
Phenomenal Women of Bennett College
EDITORS
KENYA A. SAMUELS Editor
NAIMA Q. BARBOUR News Editor
EDITORIAL STAFF
DEANNA HARRIS Features
ERISHA UPFORD Briefings, KUDOS & Herstory
SAMANTHA MOREY Presidenfs Office
RUNGANO NYAJEKA Natural, Behavorial & Social
Sciences
KRIISHAL A. PANTON Graphics Editor
JANISHA THOMAS Sports
MONYA TOMLINSON Humanities
MARIE A. SMITH Chief Photographer & Editorial
Assistant
SHAYLA WEST Health Center
SHANTILEE OTEY Graphic Artist
SALES & MARKFHNG
NIKIA M. STEELE Sales & Marketing Director
SHAMILAH HARRIS Sales & Marketing Rep.
DARNITA HOWARD Circulation
PRODUCTION
AMBER LUGO Production Manager
AMBER M.TOWNSELL Production Assistant
ADVISER
DR. LONA D. COBB
The Bennett Banner is a laboratory newspaper published twice a
month during the academic year, except during months with College
recognized holidays or College vacations. The newspaper is pro
duced by and for students at Bennett College. The newspaper office
is located in Shell Hall C-2.
What is the true meaing of Christmas?
Photos by Marie Smith, Staff Photograher.
Ail
With. Me"
LAUREN MELTON
CLASS; SOPHOMORE
MAJOR; PSYCHOLOGY
HOME; NEW YORK
Christmas is a time for thanking
all my loved ones, and giving
instead of receiving. Also to
remember the birth of my Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ.
IRINA SEABROOKS-
MATTHEWS
CLASS; SOPHOMORE
MAJOR; SOCIAL WORK
HOME; WASHINGTON, DC
Christmas is going home and
spending time with all of the
special people in my life.
BRANDI BRADSHAW
CLASS; SOPHOMORE
MAJOR; PSYCHOLOGY
HOME; NEW YORK
Christmas over the years has
gotten extremely over commer
cialized. Instead of celebrating
the birth of Jesus, we celebrate
and anticipate the materialistic
objects we will receive.
ASJADOLL HOWELL
CLASS; SOPHOMORE
MAJOR; BIOLOGY
HOME; MASS.
Christmas is a time of giving and
remembering the birth of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
RASHIDA MILLER
CLASS; SOPHOMORE
MAJOR; PSYCHOLOGY
HOME; NORTH CAROLINA
Christmas is not about gifts, but
about spending time with loved
ones.
TANYA WAGSTAFFE
CLASS; SENIOR
MAJOR; ENGLISH
HOME; NEW YORK
Christmas is supposed to be a
day of sharing and spreading
love. However, it has become a
commercial holiday where
people are more concerned with
the receiving than the giving. It's
forced me to celebrate Kwanzaa.