Kwanzaa/Christmas/The SPIRIT of Giving and Remembering

[Love_Spell_6]

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.

[abaici]

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.

[Love_Spell_6]

Originally posted by abaici
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???**

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

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

[DoggyStyle82]

Originally posted by Love_Spell_6
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!

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".

[Love_Spell_6]

Originally posted by DoggyStyle82
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".

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...

[abaici]

Originally posted by Love_Spell_6
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...

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.

[BlueReign]

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!

[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.

[Love_Spell_6]

Originally posted by StrangeFruit
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.

[StrangeFruit]

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).

[AKA2D '91]

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.

[Love_Spell_6]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
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!!

[AKA2D '91]

I guess my position will change WHEN I have kids.

[DoggyStyle82]

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!

[AKA2D '91]

weellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll....