Under the baobab: State College celebrates diversity amid global conflict
“ Sec 1 — All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States. ... Sec 8 — The Congress shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises ... to declare War ... “– The U.S. Constitution
In a previous life, after graduating from law school, I taught constitutional law. More importantly, I lived constitutional law during the Civil Rights Movement. We believed, like the founders, that major national decisions of life and death and taxes should rest in the authority and responsibility of the collective community as assembled with our representatives in Congress.
At present our country is in an undeclared war against Iran. Our sons and daughters are again at risk. Our nation’s force is being systematically used to destroy, kill and demolish other people in our name but not within our laws. Congress did not declare this war. The President didn’t ask.
The war with Iran is costing our nation about $1 billion dollars a day and has the potential to embroil that region and the world in a wider war. But war is not just a dollars and cents issue. Like enslavement of people, the right of women to be full citizens, prohibition and eliminating a caste system of second-class citizenship, it is an ethical and moral issue that should be debated and decided by our collective community, not by the whims of one person.
Some of us believe in the basic immorality of modern war. As James Baldwin said, “every bombed village is my hometown.”
Happy Women’s History Month and Ramadan Kareem
The One Hand Foundation (OHF) is guided by principles of compassion, unity and seeks to uplift individuals and strengthen our community through impactful events and good works. Hosted by its president, Wael Jabr, OHF held its annual dinner at the State College Municipal Building. Mustafa Sabil did the call to prayer at sundown. Others who shared information about the OHF mission and events included Yasemin Alptekinogla, Hasan Radwan, Ola Farrag, Manal Elfakhani, Mai Atta, Soha Aboelsoud and Eman Ahmed.
OHF co-founder, Haitham Hayajneh, provided a tasty and nourishing repast for about 100 community members. State College Mayor Ezra Nanes read a proclamation from the State College Borough. The Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors presented a similar proclamation.
Mohamed Shaheen, another OHF co-founder, explained the history of the Ramadan Lantern whose origin was sourced to 10th century Egypt, when lanterns were provided for worshipers going to pray at the mosque at night. It has become a metaphor for lighting the path for believers. This year for the first time a large lantern will shine at the Allen Street gates for the month.
Elsewhere around town
Jennifer Pencek, executive director of Center Safe, and Elaine Meder-Wilgus, owner of Webster’s Bookstore, held the first of several Twilight Dinner fundraisers. Center Safe serviced over 1,300 families last year.
Margaret Nagawa, curator of the “Insistent Presence, Contemporary African Art from the Chazen Collections” exhibit at the Palmer Museum of Art, lectured to over 100 patrons. The exhibit will be on display until May 10.
Leslie Laing and Chiluvya Zulu hosted a celebration of 100 years of Black culture with “Beads and Brilliance” at 3 Dots. The festive gala featured live entertainment, a fabulous buffet, dancing and testimony.
By celebrating our diversity, we stay together.
Charles Dumas is a lifelong political activist, a professor emeritus from Penn State, and was the Democratic Party’s nominee for the U.S. Congress in 2012. He is a Lions Paw honoree. He lives in State College with his wife and partner of over 50 years.
This story was originally published March 7, 2026 at 5:23 AM.