[StrangeFruit]

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.