Winfrey said he loves the fact that students ofdifferent backgrounds come together "spreading amessage of love and peace" through Kuumba, and isproud that his choir "represents the best ofHarvard."

But some Kuumba members have voiced views thatdiffer from Winfrey's all-inclusive stance,although no student has explicitly suggestedlimiting the number of non-blacks in the group.

"I don't mean to make ANYONE feel unwelcome,"read "Kuumbacide."

The Current Debate

Most of last week's two-dozen-messageinterchange over the open e-mail list--which has242 subscribers--expressed disagreement, surpriseand concern with the "Kuumbacide" e-mail.

The original author offered a revision later inthe week, apologizing for what the author calledan unwittingly critical tone, but still callingfor a reexamination of the "`changing face' ofKuumba."

Another group member who posted to the list,Megan K. Whyte '01, said in an interview Fridaythat she believes the group's performance cantranscend audience's prejudgments about amulticultural gospel choir and its investment tothe music and its history.

In a recent concert in an African-Americanchurch, "we proved ourselves through the music--wesing it the way it's supposed to be sung," Whytesaid. "The [audience's skeptical] attitude isprobably there, but we can prove them wrong.Still, some people don't want to have to provethem wrong--which is fair."

Some members, in posted e-mail messages, saidthey were hurt to hear that others believednon-black membership in Kuumba might compromisethe group's image to audiences and potential blackmembers.

In a message to the list, Whyte said she felt"no longer appreciated and wanted."

Since her e-mail posting, however, Whyte saidshe has received warm support from members of thegroup.

Rehearsals continue for Kuumba'sconcert--scheduled for this Saturday in SandersTheatre--and, according to Kuumba PresidentPhillip A. Goff '99, the group is praying togetherfor healing and unity.

Larger Issues of Identity

And the debate continues, raising questions ofracial authenticity: Who can participate in aritual to create an "authentic" black experience?

"When we roll up in a church we should not beconcerned with whether or not we look `Black'enough," wrote Sheldon K. X. Reid '96, who is aKuumba member and a student at the Graduate Schoolof Education. "If we are true to the meaning andthe spirit of the music then we ARE Blackenough...Yes, as the racial and culturalcomposition of a group changes, the focus of itsexpression may shift. But let us remember that weare all 'students of life,' and that skin-colorneither inherently implies an understanding ofhistory or culture, nor a lack thereof."