Posted on 12/29/2001 12:13:14 AM PST by Spiff
| The Truth About Kwanzaa |
|
|
Should Christians Celebrate It - Should Anyone Celebrate It? |
|
When and where createdKwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga, who is the leader of the Black nationalist cultural group US, and also professor and chair of the Department of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach. He is an author of several books, some which are quoted throughout this site such as: Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture and Kawaida Theory.
Kwanzaa is a seven-day holiday that was created by Dr. Karenga, a fact he does not deny. He doesn't claim that it's from another country or continent, but is an American-made celebration. He makes this clear in one of his earlier books titled: Kwanzaa: origin, concepts, practice. Dec. 1977:"...I did not mean to suggest in any way that Kwanzaa was a continental African holiday rather than Afro-American one. On the contrary. I have always stressed that although Kwanzaa has some historical roots in Africa, it is essentially a product of the particular social conditions and self-determined needs of the Afro-American people." p 12.
What "Kwanzaa" meansThe word "Kwanzaa" itself is man made. It is derived from the swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means first fruits. Karenga's history has it that the extra "a" was added to represent the seven children that were a part of his organization, (US Organization) as each child wanted to represent a letter of Kwanzaa. (Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture, pg. 108.)
The Kwanzaa celebration consists of seven days to celebrate seven principles (the Nguzo Saba), with emphasis on one principle a day. The seventh day culminates in a feast, patterned much like the first-fruits celebrations of ancient Africa. There are activities such as the pouring the libation for ancestors, lighting of candles, raising names of ancestors (also referred to by many as "ancestor worship" - discussed more in detail later), and gift-giving.
Purposes"It was designed to unite and to strengthen African communities." Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture, p. 108
In spite of attempts to make this celebration multicultural, Kwanzaa was clearly created with the intention of this being a "Black Only" cultural event. This would explain stories regarding white parents of black children who have been banned from entering Kwanzaa celebrations ("White Mother Unwelcomed at Black Gathering," San Francisco Chronicle; San Francisco, Calif.; Dec 29, 1993).
Those who understand the true purpose of Kwanzaa understand that is was intended only for those of African ancestry. Notice the use of the following quote from Dr. Karenga who speaks of Whites as the "dominant society:"
"...it was chosen to give a Black alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society." p. 21 Kwanzaa: origin, concepts, practice
Karenga clearly created this holiday for Blacks but has softened his "Black only" stance somewhat when in his 1997 book of Kwanzaa, twenty years later he says the following:
"Kwanzaa is clearly an African Holiday created for African peoples. But other people can and do celebrate it, just like other people participate in Cinco de Mayo besides Mexicans; Chinese New Year besides Chinese; Native American pow wows besides Native Americans." p. 110, Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture
The Nguzo Saba
(The Seven Principles Of Kwanzaa)
Unity, Self-determination, Collective Work and Responsibility,
Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and FaithBecause Kwanzaa was built with the intention of unifying the Black Family, Karenga created a set of moral principles to which Kwanzaa is centered upon. The following is a quote from his 1977 book on Kwanzaa:
"The Nguzo Saba are in fact, the matrix and minimum set of values by which Black people must order their relations and live their lives, if they are to liberate themselves and begin to build a new world and a new people to inhabit it." p. 40. Kwanzaa: origin, concepts, practice
Dr. Karenga shows more evidence of his desire to create not only just a 7-day holiday, but a way of life complete with principles to be followed daily. The Nguzo Saba will be examined more closely on the following web pages, revealing the meaning of each principle.
The Nguzo Saba:
The Seven "Spiritual"
Principles of Kwanzaa?
At the heart and soul of Kwanzaa is the Nguzo Saba, Kiswahili for seven principles. Dr. Karenga stresses the importance of these principles in his 1997 book, Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture, when he says:"The Nguzo Saba . . . are the core and consciousness of Kwanzaa. They are posed as the matrix and minimum set of values African Americans need to rescue and reconstruct their lives in their own image and interest and build and sustain an Afrocentric family, community and culture." (p. 41)The purpose of the Nguzo Saba is non other than setting a value system specifically for the black family. This contradicts any attempt by Karenga and others to say that Kwanzaa is a holiday to be celebrated by ALL people with its UNIVERSAL principles. A greeting similar to the one made by former President Clinton in 1997 when he declared that "the Principles of Kwanzaa -- ring true not only for African Americans, but also for all Americans."
Unfortunately, Clinton and many others were completely unaware that the principles of Kwanzaa are not aimed for all Americans but ONLY for African Americans as we can see in Dr. Karenga's full description of the Nguzo Saba. He says in the principles repeatedly, to do for "our own" and as an "African people." Not exactly terms that can be used for universality.
Belief in God CondemnedDr. Karenga's hatred of God-fearing religions prompted him to create his own system of principles that apparently he hoped would steer men away from what he felt was a weakness -- a belief in God. An example of his opinion of religion is the following quote from his book, Kawaida Theory (1980):
"Belief in spooks who threaten us if we don't worship them and demand we turn over our destiny and daily lives must be categorized as spookism and condemned." pg 27
And also when he says of Christianity and Judaism in his list of negatives of religion:
"...it is a simplistic and often erroneous answer to existential ignorance fear, powerlessness and alienation. An example is the Hebrew myth of the six-day creation and the tower of Babel, or Christian myths of resurrection, heaven and hell;" Kawaida Theory, p 23.
"...it often denies and diminishes human worth, capacity, potential and achievement. In Christian and Jewish mythology, humans are born in sin, cursed with mythical ancestors who've sinned and brought the wrath of an angry God on every generation's head. ... If a mythical being has done, does and will do everything, what's our relevance and role in the world?" K.T. p 24.
And in spite of claiming Kwanzaa to be a time of giving "reverence to the Creator" as he claims now (Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture,, pg 19), his disdain for prayer of any type is shown in his early writings.
"Thus if persons want to fast or pray, read numbers, stare at stars, chant spookistic slogans or anything similar, they may, but is is imperative that they not add these to or pretend they are a part of the principles and practices of Kwanzaa." Kawaida Theory, p 15.
It wouldn't be erroneous to say that Karenga intended to create a celebration that steered Blacks away from God, but to celebrate and honor man instead. He makes this clear when he makes the following statement in his book, Kawaida Theory:
"When messenger Muhammad taught that we are Gods and can make history and remake the world in our own image and interests, he set a good example." p 27.
The Nguzo Saba - A Black Way of LifeThe Nguzo Saba are seven principles clearly set apart for the Black American and not for others. It is also an attempt by Dr. Karenga to introduce humanistic principles for improving life without God. Kwanzaa is not just a cultural celebration, but an attempt to establish a way of life with man as the center of worship and reverence. The Nguzo Saba as a way of life are being recognized by many Blacks as such. An example is a quote from the Kwanzaa Information Center website that says the following:
"Thus, the Nguzo Saba are social and spiritual principles, dealing with ways for us to relate to each other and rebuild our lives in our own images."
If anything, many are accepting these principles as SPIRITUAL principles and a guide for their lives. A disturbing fact for the Christian who believes that all spiritual principles begin with the Bible and not with man.
1) Umoja (Unity) "To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race."
"...unity means a oneness, a similarity and sameness that gives us an identity as a people, an African people." Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture, p 44.
2) Kujichagulia (Self-determination) "To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves instead of being defined, named, created for and spoken for by others."
"The principle and practice of self-determination expresses and supports the concept and practice of Afrocentricity. Afrocentricity is a quality of thought and practice which is rooted in the cultural image and human interests of African people." p 50.
3) Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) "To build and maintain our community together and make our sister's and brother's problems our problems and to solve them together....is commitment to active and informed togetherness on matters of common interest. It is also recognition and respect for the fact that without collective work and struggle, progress is impossible and liberation unthinkable." p 51.
4) Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) "To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together."
*"The fourth principle ... is essentially a commitment to the practice of shared social wealth and the work necessary to achieve it." p 55.
5) Nia (Purpose) "To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.The assumption here is that our role in human history has been and remains a key one; that we as an African people share in the great human legacy Africa has given the world." p 58.
6) Kuumba (Creativity) "To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it." p 61.
7) Imani (Faith) "To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle."
"For in all African spiritual traditions, from Egypt on, it is taught that we are in the image of the Creator and thus capable of ultimate righteousness and creativity through self-mastery and development in the context of positive support." p 65.
Is Kwanzaa A Religion?
Many people celebrate Kwanzaa as a cultural holiday believing that it's a non-religious celebration. But not surprisingly, there are quite a few similarities between Kwanzaa and religions. The creator of Kwanzaa, Dr. Maulana Karenga, possibly intended to create this as a new religion, but the interest of most participants appears to be more cultural than spiritual.
The following passages on this page will show an intent by Karenga to create something more than just a one-time celebration, but a way of life.
"Kwanzaa has definite principles, practices and symbols which are geared to the social and spiritual needs of Afro-American." - p 14, Kwanzaa: origin, concepts, practice, 1977.Frequently, spirituality is mentioned and the Nguzo Saba is said to be a standard by which to live for moral guidance and instruction within the community. The Nguzo Saba (seven principles) is given so much emphasis in character development that it is also said in Dr. Karenga's book, to make one a "new man, woman and child." (The African American Holiday of Kwanzaa, p44.) Very similar to what is said in the Bible regarding the newness of man:
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)
So here we have a celebration that emphasizes a code of ethics (the Nguzo Saba) for moral instruction to bring about a spiritually developed character. Thus far, Kwanzaa has a few things in common with Christianity and other religions. Moral instruction, spirituality and a purpose -- becoming a new person!
Karenga Lists The Nguzo Saba as a Religion
Dr. Karenga even recognizes the "religion" of Kwanzaa when in his book, Kawaida Theory, p. 25, he says of the seven principles (The Nguzo Saba) as coming "from African religion" and lists it among other religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, and Judaism in his section on positive functions of religion. In light of that writing, it then becomes difficult to explain his statement that "Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday," especially when the Nguzo Saba is considered the centerpiece of Kwanzaa.
A Way of Life = a ReligionWe must agree with religion writer for the Philadelphia Tribune, William L. Banks, when he says in his chapter on Kwanzaa:
"We cannot talk about 'unity, positive images and values' without touching upon religion, a way of life." No Respecter of Faces or Races, Black Theology, Afrocentrism, and the Christian Faith. William L. Banks, 1997.
The primary conflict that the Christian should have with Kwanzaa is that it is a way of life. It is even being encouraged by many to celebrate it not just during the holiday season, but all year round! Why is that so? Because it is promised to be build character, to change one's life spiritually. This can be seen on the Melanet's Kwanzaa Information Center web site under the Goals of Kwanzaa topic. It says:
"To develop self and facilitate a positive Black self-esteem by exposing individuals to 'Kwanzaa', a culturally desirable pattern of principles, to help them live their lives and to encourage the highest level of positive Black self-esteem and spiritual development. -- To establish a culturally oriented 'WAY OF LIFE."
Christians, Church and KwanzaaMany will say at this point, that it doesn't matter what Karenga believes about Kwanzaa, it is how we celebrate it that counts. Many Christian churches are substituting the Nguzo Saba with Bible verses. The question churches must ask themselves, what is their purpose for celebrating Kwanzaa? Many will say that their purpose is to celebrate their culture. Others will say that celebrating Kwanzaa is an affirmation of our togetherness as African people in America.
There are several dangers that present themselves when the Christian attempts to combine their "religion" of Christianity with that of the "religion" of Kwanzaa. 1) They take upon the assumption that the Bible is not enough to spiritually feed us a a people... 2) That we MUST define ourselves in the context of culture 3) Unity is possible without Christ, by simply uniting with those of the same color, i.e. culture.
It is not wrong to celebrate "culture". But when culture begins claiming to do for the human being the same as God claims to do for us, then culture ceases being culture and thus becomes a religion.
It becomes clear that Karenga intended for Kwanzaa to be more than a once a year event, but a complete new "religion" that would change the lives of many and spiritually rebuild them into becoming a better person. Many people are attributing a change in their lives to following Kwanzaa principles and praising their ancestors for being whom they are. We would do better by remembering the words of our Lord:
"I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols." - (Isa 42:8 NIV)
Dr. Karenga's Contradictions
There are many instances throughout the reading of Karenga's books on Kwanzaa where one will find obvious differences between them, sometimes completely contradicting one another. Why the change in information? Was it due to a change in heart on the part of Dr. Karenga?Every decade following the creation of Kwanzaa, Dr. Karenga had a new book about this celebration and it is his 1988 book on Kwanzaa, The African American Holiday of Kwanzaa, where he reveals a possible purpose for these changes -- in order for it to appeal to a wider audience (in the preface).
Reading his earlier books on Kwanzaa one can see Karenga's hostility toward religions where praying and worshipping were condemned and Christian-Judeo beliefs referred to as "mythology" (See The 7 Principles, Nguzo Saba). Now apparently because of the huge Christian and Black Muslim population that also celebrate Kwanzaa, this celebration has to be made appealing to many Black Americans. It now becomes possible to believe that the differences in Karenga's opinions may have been motivated by the popularity of Kwanzaa among its Christian/Muslim and commercial participants (Kwanzaa Stamp which Karenga personally endorsed) more so than any change of heart towards its practices.
Listed below are a few of these contradictions that first show Karenga unfavorable to religion and then later appearing with a softer tone:
On Kwanzaa being a substitute for Christmas
"...Kwanzaa is not an imitation, but an alternative, in fact, and oppositional alternative to the spookism, mysticism and non-earth based practices which plague us as a people . . . " pg 14, Kwanzaa: origin, concepts, practice. 1977 (spookism Karenga defines as "belief in spooks who threaten us if we don't worship them and demand we turn over our destiny and daily lives..." p 27. Kawaida Theory).
Twenty years later he says:
"Kwanzaa was not created to give people an alternative to their own religion or religious holiday. . . . For Kwanzaa is not a reaction or substitute for anything." p. 117 Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family Community and Culture, M. Karenga, 1997.
On Prayer in a Kwanzaa Service
"It is not a time for star-reading, spreading guba dust or praying to invisible beings or forces." p 14, Kwanzaa: origin, concepts, practiceIn 1997 he said regarding showing reverence for "The Creator and Creation:"
"Thus, the people gather together to give thanks to the Creator for a good harvest and a good life. They give praise and pray for the good and long life of all." p19, Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture
On Being A Celebration for All People?"Kwanzaa has definite principles, practices and symbols which are geared to the social and spiritual needs of Afro-America." p 14, Kwanzaa: origin, concepts, and practice, 1977)
Twenty years later he says in his book Kwanzaa: Celebration of Family, Community and Culture:
"The principles of Kwanzaa and the message of Kwanzaa has a universal message for all people of good will. It is rooted in African culture, and we speak as Africans speak, not just to ourselves, but to the world." p111.
The question to ponder: A change of heart or an attempt to appeal to the masses?
Ancestor Worship
In Kwanzaa, yet another very religious like-ceremony takes place and that is the honoring of the ancestors. For this to be a non-religious celebration,1 we already have in Kwanzaa the lighting of candles, spiritual principles found in the Nguzo Saba, and now parts of the ceremony which include the pouring of water from a cup, reciting libations and roll calling of ancestors’ names as is done in ancient African religions.We’ll take a look at how Karenga appears to have borrowed from these African religions in his ceremony of honoring the ancestors.
Libation
One of the first activities of Kwanzaa is the pouring of libation (tambiko) for the ancestors. The "unity" cup is used and must be administered by either an "elder or priest."2 Why is the libation part of this ceremony? Karenga considers this a very important ritual and actually quotes from an ancient Egyptian religion book called Ani (also known as the Egyptian book of the Dead) when he says the following:
"Ani says, "pour libation for your father and mother who rest in the valley of the departed. God will witness your action and accept it. Do not forget this even when you are away from home. For as you do for your parents, your children will do likewise for you. 56" 3
So here is Karenga quoting from an Egyptian religion to give his first reason why libation should be poured for relatives: "to remember and honor those who walked and worked before us and thus paved the path down which we now walk."4
What is libation? Here is a quote from the Pagan Times magazine found on the internet (http://www.newage.com.au/occult.pagan/libation.html) written by D. Jason Cooper:
"Libations are an ancient method of making offerings to the gods and have been practised by several pagan traditions. In Egypt, Greece, Rome, pre-Hellenic Crete, Babylon, and the Yoruban traditions offerings have been poured to the gods. Such libations have been poured onto fires, stones, statues of the gods, individuals, or simply the ground."
African Ancestor Worship Compare this act to what’s written by Fagbamila (Philip John Neimark), a modern day spiritual leader/priest (Oluwo) of the ancient African religion of Ifa. He describes ancestor worship as the following from his book, The Way of the Orisa:". . . ancestor worship is our connection to the past and our road map to a better future" p 26.
This Ifa priest goes on to describe the ceremony of ancestor worship in the following manner:
"The actual ritual of ancestor worship is extremely simple. For the basic ritual all you need is a clear glass, natural water, a white candle, and the disciple to set aside thirteen minutes a day for seven consecutive days. For seven consecutive days, at the exact same time each day, you will light the candle and offer prayers to your blood ancestors. You will call each name three times, and, after offering your love and your thanks, after offering the water for coolness and refreshment and the candle for light and energy, you may bring your problems to them."
This writer goes on to show prayers for his departed ancestors by naming several of these ancestors…similar to the "roll call" that Karenga includes in his Kwanzaa ceremonies.
Although strongly denying that there is no ancestor worship and that Africans worship only God5, Karenga’s description of the honoring of the ancestors resembles very closely to that of ancestor worship practiced by many religions. Here is Karenga’s description of that portion of the ceremony (See Links section for examples of libation prayers and Kwanzaa ceremonies):
"Thus, their profound respect for the ancestors, which admittedly has a spiritual dimension, is best called veneration. The ancestors are venerated because they are:
- A source and symbol of lineage
- Models of ethical life, service and social achievement
- Because they are spiritual intercessors between humans
and the Creator."6Spiritual Intercessors?
Spiritual intercessors sounds very similar to the teachings of the Catholic Church where it is taught that the saints are the intercessors between God and men. This is not only an obvious example of the Kwanzaa ceremony taking upon similarities of a religion, but another attempt of Karenga making Kwanzaa more than just a cultural celebration.
In conclusion of this topic, Kwanzaa’a paganistic origins are clearly shown by it’s inclusion of the lifting up of the ancestors – ancestor worship. As seen in the "Is Kwanzaa a Religion?" section, ancestor worship is another form of a religious additive in what is supposed to be known as a non-religious celebration.
For organizations that want to drop Christmas celebrations while yet including Kwanzaa, they are completely unaware that they are still allowing religion in their rooms by the addition of this multi-religious celebration – a concoction of Catholicism, Judaism and Ancient African religions. And even sadder is the mixture of the pagan ritual of ancestor worship and church services whose leadership have been duped into believing that Kwanzaa is merely a "cultural" event.
1. Karenga, M. Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture, Los Angeles, California, University of Sankore Press, 1997, p. 118.
2. Ibid., p. 91
3. Ibid., p. 80-81
4. Ibid., p. 81
5. Ibid., p. 21
6. Ibid
Is Kwanzaa a Christmas Substitute?
Although many holiday participants enjoy both Kwanzaa and Christmas, just the very existence of Kwanzaa encourages many to drop Christmas and celebrate only Kwanzaa. One of the principles of Kwanzaa, Kujichagulia, "self-determination" teaches one must define, name, create and speak for himself. Kwanzaa was created with the intention of steering blacks away from what is believed to be the "white man's" celebration by having our "own" celebration. Karenga demonstrates this thought below:Karenga shows he would "rather" see blacks celebrate a holiday created for them than a holiday created by the "white man." How can one who practices the Nguzo Saba principle of self-determination be faithful to Kwanzaa, while celebrating a holiday considered created by the "dominant" society?" It is an obvious "negative" to celebrate the holiday of Christmas.". . . it was chosen to give a Black alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and history rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society." 1
Other instances in Karenga's writing where the alternatives of Kwanzaa are shown for the purpose of replacing Christmas or substituting one's religious beliefs are as follows:" . . .it gives them a spiritual alternative to the commercialization of Christmas and the resultant move away from its original spiritual values and message." 2
Karenga attempts to salvage Christmas for the Christian by saying:
"On one hand, Christmas is a religious holiday for Christians, but is also a cultural holiday for Eurpoeans. Thus, one can accept and revere the religous mesage and meaning but reject its European cultural accretions of Santa Claus, reindeer, mistletoe, frantic shopping, alienated gift-giving, etc." 3
If Karenga's primary concern here is the commercial aspect of Christmas, then why not help encourage the celebration of it's spirituality, the birth of Jesus Christ, instead of creating an entirely new celebration? Why not just emphasize the spiritual (as Karenga finds himself now having to do with the commercialization of Kwanzaa)?
The answer to that question based upon Karenga's writings is that it is not the commercialization only that bothered Karenga about Christmas, but the spirituality and it's theme of worshipping God. Karenga not only wanted to create a new holiday, but a new value system and a new way of life. 4
1. Karenga, M. Kwanzaa: Origin, Concepts, Practice. Los Angeles, California, Kawaida Publications, 1977, p. 21.
2. Karenga, M. Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture, Los Angeles, California, University of Sankore Press, 1997, p. 118.3. Ibid.
4. Karenga, M. The African American Holiday of Kwanzaa, The University of Sankore Press, Los Angeles, California, 1988, p. 44.
About the Author: Carlotta Morrow
I began my research on Kwanzaa in the early 1980's after my sister, who was a member of Dr. Karenga's Black activist group called the US Organization, denounced her faith in Christ claiming Christianity as a white man's religion.
Determined to find out the teachings that persuaded my sister's complete change in faith, I went with her to "the Center" to hear what was being taught. I was shocked at the "us" against the "white man" attitude that seeped through the meetings, and especially at the negativity directed toward the Christian and Jewish religions.
Seeing the popularity of Kwanzaa grow under the guise of uniting the black family, I felt a new conviction in getting the truth out to warn people about Kwanzaa. That celebration to me is a "wolf in sheep's clothing" ready to devour those unaware of it's dark, racist and humanistic messages.
True, Dr. Karenga has changed his language regarding Kwanzaa over the years, but his goal appears to remain the same: separation of the "races" and attainment of "godhood" while never submitting to the One True God and Lord Jesus Christ.
This website is a sampling of my writings to share with those who need to get the word out or those who are just curious about Kwanzaa from a different angle - an angle concerned about the real truth behind Kwanzaa!
This article is different than the others posted on FR because instead of looking at Kwanzaa from a political or social viewpoint, it comes from a Christian viewpoint. This article uses Karenga's own writings and statements to expose the true intent of Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa Links
We Wish You A Phony Festival - Report (Canadian Magazine)
So This Is Kwanzaa - Newsmax.com
Ann Coulter on Kwanzaa - TownHall.Com
Mona Charen on Kwanzaa - Jewish World Review
Tony Snow on Kwanzaa - Jewish World Review
The TRUE Spirit of Kwanzaa - The New American magazine
The Story of Kwanzaa - The Dartmouth Review
The Truth About Kwanzaa - A Christian Viewpoint
A Momentary Loss of Reason - Binghamton Review
Kwanzaa & The White House - NY Post Editorial, 1997 (Freerepublic.com thread)
Michael Savage on Kwanzaa - NewsMax
Ron Karenga - Dialog from the Black Radical Congress - December 1999
Happy Kwanzaa - FrontPage Magazine - Link may not work, if it doesn't click here for the Free Republic thread.
I'm Dreaming of a White Kwanzaa - LewRockwell.com - Link may not work, if it doesn't click here for the Free Republic thread.
Letter to Editor - Ypsilanti Courier
What is Kwanzaa? - File Passed Around On Internet About Kwanzaa
Happy Kwanzaa by Patrick S. Poole
Ron Everett (aka. Maulana Karenga) / US Links
The Black Panthers and the Police: A Pattern of Genocide? - NEW YORKER MAGAZINE - February 13, 1971 (Includes great detail of the murders committed by Karenga's thugs)
US, the organization the Ron Everett founded in 1965, the organization that murdered 5 members of the rival Black Panther Party, is back - well it was back in 1995, but they haven't updated their website since then. Their website is here.
Afrocentrism Links
Clarence Walker Encourages Black Americans to Discard Afrocentrism
Fighting Fiction With Fact by Mary Lefkowitz (Google Cached Version)
Fallacies of Afrocentrism - Grover Furr
The Skeptics Dictionary - Afrocentrism
The Skeptics Dictionary Review of Mary Lefkowitz' Book "Not Out Of Africa"
The Trap of Ethnic Identity - New York Times - Jan 1997
AFROCENTRISM The Argument We're Really Having
Baa! Baa! Baa!
Oops, that might sound harsh. But you know HS was very common in the old days. It might still be in some of the less well-illuminated corners.
Kwanzaa is Marxist claptrap, designed to teach communist principles to Blacks, and to divert their attention from Christmas.
Kidding, just kidding. I don't think a white boy like me would be welcome to join the festivities anyhow.
"Kwanzaa itself is a lunatic blend of schmaltzy '60s rhetoric, black racism and Marxism."
Not being,
human sacrifice as currently practiced (The Negro people are their biggest customers) is provided in all "enlightened countries" by Planned Parenthood.
I am new to this website. However, I agreed with your view point and I appreciate the time you spent writing it. We should as Christains celebrate Jesus and Jesus alone in everything we do. If we want to appreciate our heritage or culture it shouldnt be done that way. What people need to realize is that God is Lord of ALL people of race. I cant believe how many churches celebrate this. This is exactly why when Christ comes back many people will say that they called out demons in His name but will be rejected. People have become so intuned with religious practices and traditions its sad!! I dont put up a ‘christmas tree’ nor will I EVER teach my children or other children that santa exist. I am so upset that people in this economy who cant afford gifts spend their rent money for a gift for their child instead of using the money wisely because they dont want the child to be the only one without a gift. It’s not about that!! In no way I am saying its wrong to buy gifts for Christmas day because even Jesus was given gifts when he was born BUT it shouldnt be the focal point of why we celebrate this particular holiday. One more thing...Christmas should be referenced as Merry ‘Christ’mas and not Happy Holiday. I wish I would get to the point of saying that. lol!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
candles and etc. are found abounding in retail stores across the country. What is this celebration all about and why is it so appealing to Black families across the continent? What are the roots of this holiday and what relevance does it hold for families today? How should Black Americans respond to this and how should non-Blacks act upon Black demands for Kwanzaa celebrations?