Kwanzaa
 

Does anyone celebrate this? I mean, the whole nine yards, candles, mats, corn, all that?

Please, post your Kwanzaa info here. I will see what I can find on the internet, and I'll be back. :) (Y'all wish y'all had my job, don't you? :p)

In the early 1990s when Jawanza Kunjufu and a slew of others challenged us to view the world through more of an Afrocentric paradigm...when everyone was sporting headwraps and African clothes...that's when my fam and I really got into the whole tradition. But now, we simply recognize the holiday in ornamentation and by supporting black business as much as possible. We don't go full blast.

In my family, we've really scaled things down around the holidays and keeping it simple with a primary focus on Christmas....but because of the similarities in the secular meaning of the Christmas holiday and Kwanzaa, I can see where the two can successfully overlap.

Kwanzaa
 

One of the AKA chapters here has a really nice Kwanzaa celebration, the program consists of children doing little skits and singing and the members serving food to the guests afterward. It really is a nice family/community event.

No, not "at home", but our chapter sponsors a KWANZAA program annually. So, this is where I'll get my "KWANZAA on".

I can't get my KWANZAA on this year.:( Our chapter is having it's annual event on Saturday. I'll be out of town.) I was so looking forward to it, especially since our newly inducted Basileus bought me this African dress while she was in Africa teaching a law class.


I guess next year. :D

I'm gonna try.....
 

FYI
 

Article from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel about Kwanzaa and its implications:

http://www.jsonline.com/bym/Biz2biz/dec02/102344.asp

The author, AfAm, is the paper's small business columnist, and makes some nice points about applying the principles of the holiday to our everyday lives. :cool:

ttt

I am teaching the 7 Principles in my Life Skills class. Next Thursday (albeit early) we are going to have a little celebration where the parents can come and whatnot. What I am hoping is that the students actually put into practice the 7 Principles. More later...

I do! I do!
 

I celebrate Kwanzaa

I celebrate Kwanzaa. Not exclusively, but in conjunction with Christmas.

Do the candles, the mats, don't place too much emphasis on the corn (only have one child, and 1 ear would be so lonely looking).

Once I spent the money on a beautful hand carved Kinara, there was no way we weren't celebrating Kwanzaa.

While I feel the seven principles are great, I refuse to celebrate Kwanzaa.

I do not celebrate Kwanzaa either. I don't really agree with the practice, but more power to those of you that do.

not in this lifetime
 

neither do i...i tend not to celebrate "made up" holidays...and although the principles are good..I can't agree with why the holiday was made up. I don't need kwanzaa to celebrate my heritage!

FYI
 

Here's a little history on the founder of Kwanazaa in case anyone doesn't know.

http://www.nathanielturner.com/karenga2.htm

A Less Than Complimentary View of

Dr. Maulana Karenga


10 March 1999

It seems the founder of Kwanzaa wasn’t any more ethical than those who sung its praises. In fact, at the same time Al Sharpton was glorifying the new holiday, its creator was sitting in a California prison for torturing two black women who were members of the United Slaves, a black nationalist cult he had founded.


Pictured Above: Ron Everett also known as Kerenga. He is the creator of Kwanzaa and is an ex-cult leader.
The cult leader Ron N. Everett went by the name Karenga and in the 60’s took upon himself the title "maulana," which means "master teacher" in Swahili. He was born on a poultry farm in Maryland, the fourteenth child of a Baptist minister. He moved to California in the late 50’s to attend LA Community College. He later moved to UCLA, where he got a Master’s degree in political science and African Studies and by the mid 1960’s, he had established himself as a leader of the black movement- a self described "cultural nationalist". He had purposely used the term "nationalist" to distinguish his group from the Black Panthers who were Marxists. He wanted a separate black state while the Marxists worked for integration.




The friction between his group and the Panthers mirrored the centuries of tribal warring in Africa. Both groups were heavily recruiting at UCLA in the 60’s and vying for control of the newly developed African Studies Department. Karenga and his group backed one candidate for dept. head and the Panthers another. Both began carrying guns on campus and on Jan. 17. 1969, about 150 students gathered at the lunchroom to discuss the problem. Two Panther members had been admitted to the college as part of a federal program that helped black high-school dropouts enter the university. The meeting turned violent and ended with two of Karenga’s group, George P. Stiner and Larry Joseph Stiner killing two. The Stiner brothers shot two Panthers John Huggins, 23 and Alprentice "Bunchy" Carter, 26 – dead.

UCLA chancellor Charles E. Young, scared that the violence would hurt admissions said "The students here have handled themselves in an absolutely impeccable manner. They have been concerned. They haven’t argued who the director should be; they have been saying what kind of person he should be." The remarks were made after the shooting and the university went ahead with its Afro-American Studies Program. Meanwhile, Karenga’s group grew and performed assaults and robberies always following the law laid down in The Quotable Karenga, a book that laid out the "True Path of Blackness." "The sevenfold path of blackness is think black, talk black, act black, create black, buy black, vote black, and live black,"

On May 9, 1970 he initiated the torture session that led to his imprisonment. The torture session was described in the L.A. Times on May 14, 1971. "The victims said they were living at Karenga’s home when Karenga accused them of trying to kill him by placing crystals in his food and water and in various areas of his house. When they denied it, allegedly they were beaten with an electrical cord and a hot soldering iron was put in Miss Davis’ mouth and against her face. Police were told that one of Miss Jones’ toes was placed in a small vise, which then was tightened by the men and one woman. The following day Karenga told the women that ‘Vietnamese torture is nothing compared to what I know." Miss Tamao put detergent in their mouths; Smith turned a water hose full force on their faces, and Karenga, holding a gun, threatened to shoot both of them. The victims Deborah Jones and Gail Davis were whipped with an electrical cord and beaten with a karate baton after being ordered to remove their clothing."

Karenga was convicted of two counts of felonious assault and one count of false imprisonment. He was sentenced on Sept. 17, 1971 to serve one to ten years in prison. After being released from prison in 1975, he remade himself as Maulana Ron Karenga, went into academics, and by 1979 was running the Black Studies Department at California State University in Long Beach and converted to Marxism. Kwanzaa's seven principles include "collective work" and "cooperative economics." He is still there and everyone has almost forgotten the cruel and vicious attacks committed on his fellow blacks. Kwanzaa has been successfully marketed and is now heralded as a great African tradition.

The silver lining is that rather than "de-whitinizing" Christmas as Al Sharpton purported – it has polarized the holiday season -Hanukkah for Jews, Kwanzaa for Blacks, and Christmas for whites.

I also refer to it as that "made up" holiday. I come from an Africanist background and I do not know many colleagues who celebrate the holiday. Also, Karenga is not well respected. Besides that, he's a bit of a jerk.


**Such strong language...what's wrong with me???**


While the above article lacks journalistic intergrity (IMHO), it contains a few facts. Namely, his association with the murders that took place on UCLA's campus.

I have to agree witcha on this one abaici...

I wonder if those that celebrate kwanzaa really know its true origins?

Re: not in this lifetime
 

I'm with you. Kwanzaa is a made up holiday part of whose original intentions were to deflect Blacks away from Christianity. My church celebrated for 1 year and then the Pastor researched it origins and said "never again".

Re: Re: not in this lifetime
 

So do you think that the people that do celebrate Kwanzaa are unaware of its origins...or do they just agree with it? EVERY person I've talked to about it thought it was a holiday that orginated in Africa! I mean EVERY single one...its crazy how people can just go with the flow and not do research for themselves...

Re: Re: Re: not in this lifetime
 

That is the primary reason I take exception with this holiday. It is not an African holiday. It's not. He took bits and pieces of African (mainly Swahili culture) and presented as an African American holiday. A way to tie us to our culture. However, it's too simple. We came from a number of places in West Africa. We did not share a common language and culture. As an Africanist, I just think its nonsense.

Thank you!
 

I am so glad to see that there are other people like me who do not wish to celebrate this holiday!! I was beginning to think like I'm not black or something. While I think the 7 principles are great I would love for this to be something that we push and strive for everyday of our lives not just this time of the year. I don't like it taking away from Christmas. Christmas is not a "white" holiday. It's a Christian holiday. I don't like starting a celebration on the 26th while I am still in "Christmas" mode. Besides, the 26th is my birthday. I be still looking for presents! :D

Thanks for that bit of information. I was aware that Kwanzaa was "made-up," but I didn't know much about Karanga.

Although I've never fully celebrated Kwanzaa with the candles, mats, etc. I do enjoy going to Kwanzaa programs. It's unfortunate, but it appears that in a few places that I've lived (Raliegh-Durham, NC; Delware; Spfld&Boston, MA) Kwanzaa and Black History Month are the only times of the year where there are cutlural celebrations.

I like to take young kids to these events because the kids I'm around don't even know what slavery is; they have no idea of who they are. One child I babysat thought she was spanish because of her light complexion. She argued with me when I said, "no your black."

My mother exposed me to my culture from lectures, musuems, to traveling to Sengal, Eypgt, Gambia etc., so I try to take the kids I'm around to such events. I think sometimes we get caught up in the messenger instead of checking out the message.

Kwanzzaa just like Christmas has become a way for folks to wake-up on January 2nd and not know how they're going to pay all those credit card bills.

And for Christmas, some argue that that's "made up." Trees, santa claus, debt isn't in The Bible either, but we-Christians celebrate it.

I stopped celebrating Christmas by purchasing gifts. I prefer just to be with family and to eat all day.

You're welcome for the info.:)

And I agree as well...Christmas has become so commercialized its sickening. I prefer to give gifts all year around and actually celebrate the birth and reign of Christ. I know its not the day of his birth..and although Christians should celebrate it daily..I still celebrate his birth during the time

I don't have children yet...but I actually struggle with how I will treat Christmas when I do have children. I actually want to take my children when they're of age to homeless shelters, soup kitchens etc on Christmas day. And I would give them gifts year around... But my friends and family say that's not fair to the children. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

I've heard the same thing about "it's not fair to the children.

My mother got me gifts throughout the year, so when Christmas came and she asked, "what do you want?" Often my answer was, "Nothing." I already had what I wanted and if there was something it was no more than two things and I was content.

You (as a parent) have control of how your children will react to Christmas and any other holiday. I never said, "Oh that's not fair, that Junebug and them got twenty things I got one."

I worked with this sistahs that instead of getting gifts for her daughter for her birthday she had what she called, "wisdom gifts.'

All the women in her family, mother, aunts, great-aunts, grandmothers etc. gave her daughter words of wisdom. She said she didn't want her kids to believe that they are SUPPOSE to get something. One great -aunt told her, "keep the nickel between your knees." Another said, "always come in the same day you went out."

A couple I know has a Christmans club for their two kids. When Christmas comes around they purchase a gift for each child and deposit the remainder in a college fund. That's fair not a bunch of toys that they will only play with for a week or two. (That's what the couple said of their reason for only getting one gift per child).

I'm like that now. Thanksgiving/Christmas (the acts associated with it, giving/caring/sharing/spending/being thankful) IMO are EVERYDAY. If there is something I want...I get it, if it's February 25th, September 25th or December 25th.

This seaon, I've really reduced the amount that I have spent on others because I realized I GIVE throughout the year.

I feel the SAME way ... but since I don't have children yet..I second guess what I'm saying...because everyone says this will change when I do have them. The funny thing is I don't see why more people don't feel this way. I think its CRAZY to get into debt over one day...the credit card companies love Christmas more than we do cause thay always have fat bottom line going into the New Year.

I REALLLY LOVE THAT WORDS OF WISDOM IDEA!!

I guess my position will change WHEN I have kids. :confused:

Merry Christmas

'''Twas the night before Christmas
and all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus
was anywhere to be found.

The people were all busy
with Christmas time chores
Like decorating, and baking,
and shopping in stores.

No one sang "Away in a manger,
no crib for a bed".
Instead, they sang of Santa
dressed-up in bright red.

Mama watched Martha Stewart,
Papa drank beer from a tap.
As hour upon hour
the presents they'd wrap

When what from the T.V.
did they suddenly hear?
'Cept an ad.. which told
of a big sale at Sears.

So away to the mall
they all flew like a flash...
Buying things on credit...
and others with cash!

And, as they made their way home
From their trip to the mall,

Did they think about Jesus?
Oh, no... not at all.

Their lives were so busy
with their Christmas time things
No time to remember
Christ Jesus, the King.

There were presents to wrap
and cookies to bake.
How could they stop and remember
who died for their sake?

To pray to the Savior...
they had no time to stop.
Because they needed more time
to "Shop 'til they drop!"

On Wal-mart! On K-mart!
On Target! On Penney's!
On Hallmark! On Zales!
A quick lunch at Denny's

From the big stores downtown

to the stores at the mall
They would dash away, dash away,
and visit them all!

And up on the roof,
there arose such a clatter
As grandpa hung icicle lights
up on his brand new stepladder.

He hung lights that would flash.
He hung lights that would twirl.
Yet, he never once prayed to Jesus...
Light of the World.

Christ's eyes... how they twinkle!
Christ's Spirit... how merry!
Christ's love... how enormous!
All our burdens... He'll carry!

So instead of being busy,
overworked, and uptight
Let's put Christ back in
Christmas and enjoy
some good nights!

Merry Christmas, my friends!

weellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll....

Let's not bash Kwanzaa just yet...
 

Yeah, there are some questions about Maulana Karenga...

Yeah, Kwanzaa was about stoppin' Black folks from celebrating Christmas back in the day...

But the Nguzo Saba can still be practiced...

Yeah, they outta be practiced everyday...

It doesn't mean that there cannot be a set aside days to have Kwanzaa...

You lucky, that we even have Kwanzaa that we could appreciate it, 'cuz if we didn't, we'd still be wonderin' why there ain't no Lladro Black Angels... We'd wonder if we'd ever be empowered enuf to connect with our fellow Afrikan bruhs and sistahs... It might be the only way we can connect... Or at least start to connect...

And isn't it all about "connecting" with folks...

'Cain't we all just get along?

TTT
 

I thought I'd bring this back up in light of the Boondocks comic today and abaici bringing it up in the aw hell to da naw thread on the Blvd., are there others on GC who celebrate Kwanzaa? I don't but I was wondering just how many people do?

BTW, here is the comic. . .

http://images.ucomics.com/comics/bo/2004/bo041227.gif

Our Chapter had a pre-Kwanaa celebration for the students in our Ivy AKAdemy, it was great we even had a Karamu at the end of it that was the best part LOL, seriously I believe in the principles of the Nguzo Saba and have taught my class about it, it is something that we should practice everyday, it took me awhile to appreciate it but now I do! Anything to uplift the race! Just imagine if we put this into practice!

Do you think there is anything that Kwanzaa teaches that isn't already in the Bible? Imagine if we really put Christ's teachings into practice!

I found this article interesting. Here is the link below:

About Kwanzaa

Love_Spell_6: I understand what you are saying. It would be nice if folks put more Christ in their lives by their celebrations. But throughout Christmastime, for me to feel the Spirit of Christmas rather than celebrating another pagan holiday, which the accoutrements are Christmas trees, Santa Claus, hustle-bustle stuff, I try to send "Angelic" Christmas cards with folks that look like me--it is critically important to me. And when I do that I feel that some sembelence of Christmas falls within my culture--I can identify with it... And living where I do, I am lucky to find the cards written in Spanish, or get Jewish symbols compared to the "blonde haired, blue eyed" representation of end all, be all of what the entire Holiday Season is... I even purchased cards from Carole Joy Creations on December 1st--and where are they? Still have yet to receive those cards... :mad:

That is what I CHOOSE to do with my life. And I am proud of my cultural heritage. I do not identify with blonde haired, blue eyed Jesus, Santa Claus and angels, to put it bluntly. It makes me think I am less worthy to receive the Spirit of Christmas than others.

But that is just me and my opinion... I could be wrong...

Yea I understand what you're saying...I think... But to me Kwanzaa is just another distraction from the true meaning of Christmas just as Santa Clause is. My African heritage doesn't supercede the importance of the birth of my Lord and Savior, and before I try to practice a made up or pagan holiday, I need to practice what Christ said to do in his word. But this too is just my opinion/viewpoint...I could also be wrong.

Here lies the problem. Dr. Karenga himself said in a celebratory lecture for Kwanzaa I attended in 1993 that this "made up" holiday is not to conflict with Christmas. Christmas in the truest since, the birth of Christ and all the events that lead up to his birth and after his birth are a separate entity from Kwanzaa...

Yeah, the original historical context of Kwanzaa was about "outcompeting" a racist, sexist, biased and commercialized Christmas. But I think Karenga did not realize that his development would become what it did become and what it is evolving into. Whereas, Christmas, does not evolve. The fact the Christ was born to the virgin Mary in Bethlehem--that story has never changed... So, in Karenga's book, he wrote that main tenets of Kwanzaa are not to conflict with religious belief. They are to compliment and carry out and extend one's belief...

The Nguzo Saba does dictate that. Christ's commandment to us was "Love one another, as I have loved you, so you must love one another". I don't think the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) conflict with that: 7 Principles

They are to be used throughout one's life who desires to pursue that Afrikan Centered life long neglected to us by oppression and ignorance.

That fact is, should we be grateful to the "oh so holier than thou Mr. White Man" for shoving down our throats a religion used to whip, beat and oppress our forebearers with "praises be to Allah", which exiled and kidnapped our forebearers out into the wilderness of America only to feel robbed of our humanity unless we are threatened with a jail term? Do African Americans collectively have any voice that is being heard, clearly? Really?

And don't start with what Christ gives you Heaven... Because I have seen too much craziness to even have utterances to decribe my circles of Hell to anyone...

Again, he needs to stop!!!
 

^^
Awwwww, CTFU. Lil' STD's Krunked Up Kwanzaa...

Soror abaici,

You ain't right... ;) :p