Kids' shows take lighthearted look at Kwanzaa

LOS ANGELES -- Sometimes the baby steps taken by television can represent leaps and bounds.

Consider the case of "Rugrats," "The Proud Family" and Kwaanza. While diversity comes hard to much of TV, the two children's animated shows are gracefully showcasing the African-American holiday.

"The Proud Family" is a Disney Channel series about a spirited black teen-ager, Penny Proud. "Rugrats" is the decade-old Nickelodeon series.

Both take a lighthearted but heartfelt look at Kwanzaa in episodes that allow viewers to understand and appreciate the seven-day, nonreligious festival that begins Dec. 26.

Focus on importance

First observed in 1966, Kwanzaa emphasizes the role of family and community. Each festival day is dedicated to a particular principle -- among them, unity, self-determination, creativity and faith.

In "The Proud Family," Christmas is coming and 14-year-old Penny (Kyla Pratt) is focused on what's important: getting a new cell phone. But then she meets a homeless family infused with the Kwanzaa spirit.

"The Prouds realize this family was brought to them for a reason, to discover the true meaning of this time of year," said series creator Bruce Smith, who is executive producer with Ralph Farquhar.

Guest stars Samuel L. Jackson, Vivica A. Fox and Raven Symone lend their voices to the homeless visitors.

The episode airs throughout December. Smith said it seemed a perfect fit for a series with the perspective of a black girl.

"Ralph and I decided we wanted to tell stories that everyone can relate to yet still have a different point of view," Smith said.

Drawing on his memories of feel-good holiday shows like "Frosty the Snowman," Smith said he hoped to create an episode that would mesh the spirit of Kwanzaa with that of Christmas.

"Kwanzaa is about someone leading a purposeful life. It ties in with what we feel the Christmas spirit is about: family, giving, unity, purpose."

Nickelodeon's "Rugrats" also seemed the natural home for a Kwanzaa episode, said Marjorie Cohn, senior vice president for production.

"Nickelodeon has a commitment to being there for all kids" and including cultural diversity, Cohn said. The animated show also has episodes about Christmas airing Saturday and Hanukkah airing Thursday.

In "A Rugrats Kwanzaa," which debuts Tuesday, visiting Aunt T. introduces Susie Carmichael (Cree Summer) and her family to the holiday.

"Kwanz-o" is the way an uncertain, 3-year-old Susie pronounces it, and her siblings first look askance at the idea. But they get into the spirit of things, with Susie giving "Kwanzaa piggy tails" to her friends (except for nearly bald baby Tommy) and the family preparing a "karamu," or feast.

But Kwanzaa, Aunt T. has informed them, honors "the legacy of our great people," and a gloomy Susie decides she'll be left out because she hasn't done anything special.

"I'm not one of my great people," she sobs to Aunt T.

"Child, always be proud of who you are and where you came from," her aunt says. "And remember, you have your whole life to discover how great you really are."