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Naughty or nice?

By: Matthew Lipka, Special Writer

12/21/2004

Mocha Moms put on a Christmas celebration for black children.

   This is a special Christmas for the Mocha Moms and their families.
   Jordan, who will be 3 next week, buried her face in her mother as Santa rumbled "Ho, ho, ho!" from behind a beard the length of Jordan's body.
   Duarte, meanwhile, had no qualms about going twice with requests for construction toys and warnings for Santa that "the ice cream truck is coming."
   A black Santa rang his bell and took pictures as the Mocha Moms exposed children to a new side of themselves Saturday at Princeton's First Baptist Church. "I just thought we should show them the multicultural nature of Santa," said Paula Gordon of Princeton. "When they look in the mirror, they know there is a Santa that represents them. There are different types of Santa, and this is just another one."
   The Mocha Moms is a support group for stay-at-home mothers of color, who help one another and share information on child rearing, as well as doing community service. Saturday saw the first of what promises to be an annual event.
   According to an informal poll conducted among the children, Rudolph is everyone's favorite reindeer and opening presents is the No. 1 highlight of Christmas.