Text of President Bush's Kwanzaa Message (about the non-religious holiday)

ap via lasvegassun ^ | 12/20/2002 | President Bush

[TLBSHOW]

Text of President Bush's Kwanzaa message:

I send greetings to those celebrating Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa celebrates the traditional African values of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. From December 26th to January 1st, people of African descent gather to renew their commitment to these seven principles, known as Nguzo Saba, and give thanks for the blessings of family, community, and culture. Kwanzaa is also a time for Africans and African-Americans to honor their common heritage by participating in events based on early harvest gatherings called matunda ya kwanza, or first fruits.

As individuals and families join together during Kwanzaa, their joy enriches communities in the United States and across the globe. By uniting people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs, this holiday promotes mutual understanding and respect. These universal principles inspire us as we work together for a future of freedom, hope, and opportunity for all.

Laura joins me in sending our best wishes for a memorable Kwanzaa, and for peace, happiness, and success in the coming year.

--

[TLBSHOW]

A non-religious holiday, Kwanzaa celebrates African-American heritage, pride, community, family, and culture. The seven-day festival commences the day after Christmas and culminates on New Year's Day.

snip

Maulana Karenga, an African-American scholar and activist, conceived Kwanzaa in 1966 following the Watts riot. Currently, Karenga is chairman of the Department of Black Studies at California State University at Long Beach. snip

Karenga says Kwanzaa is organized around five fundamental activities common to other African first-fruit celebrations:1

the ingathering of family, friends, and community;

reverence for the creator and creation (including thanksgiving and recommitment to respect the environment and heal the world);

commemoration of the past (honoring ancestors, learning lessons and emulating achievements of African history);

recommitment to the highest cultural ideals of the African community (for example, truth, justice, respect for people and nature, care for the vulnerable, and respect for elders); and

celebration of the "Good of Life" (for example, life, struggle, achievement, family, community, and culture).

Sources: Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, San Francisco Chronicle, Encarta 96 Encyclopedia

1From Karenga's contribution to Encarta 96 Encyclopedia

[BenLurkin]

Bush is showing a little political prostitution if he feels the need to issue a proclamation about this phony "holiday" He should be embarrssed to dignify it it with any recognition.

[Reactionary]

Don't let it worry you. We're all egalitarian nitwits these days.

[TLBSHOW]

Maulana Karenga, an African-American scholar and activist, conceived Kwanzaa in 1966 following the Watts riot

activist

[Texas_Jarhead]

I can't believe that the President validates this bogus 'holiday'. What a sham.

[sinkspur]

Kwanzaa is also a time for Africans and African-Americans

Didn't Bush just stand by while a man who praised a segregationist was run out of office and here Bush is, praising a segregated holiday?

My head is spinning.

[rovenstinez]

If Africa is anything like Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Guatemala or India. This 'may' have been a true heritage to one of the 1,321 different cultural tribal peoples of Africa, but hey, you ain't foolin' no one, this is conjured up to draw people together who don't know which side of the Continent of Africa they came from. So pick a tribe, guess at a culture, and say 'that's mine'. Does anyone have an idea what E PLURIBUS UNUM means that is stamped on coins? Does this activity that W does validate the slogans on coins?

[FITZ]

He might as well validate this one, he's validated others like Cinco de Mayo and others that are way worse.

[Pining_4_TX]

I think I'm going to be ill. What Kwanzaa celebrates most is socialism. Is it really necessary for Bush to pander to every relgion on earth? When is he going to congratulate magazines for publishing horoscopes that guide the astrologically inclined? What manure!

[TLBSHOW]

collective work

[Always A Marine]

What bullshit.

[pabianice]

Yes, that "traditional African holiday," Kwanzaa. (c) 1967 by Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

[cgbg]

Would somebody please explain to our politically correct President that this holiday has as much to do with Africa and African Americans as Christmas has to do with Mars and Martian Americans?

(Yeah, I know. If Mars is settled and then threatens rebellion and wants to claim XMas as their own we wouldn't want to harm their self-esteem or anything.) ;-)

[TLBSHOW]

OH yes the liberal President we have!

[jungleboy]

Just another example of why most people (since the age of man) get sick of Politicians...all that hot air they blow.

[dead]

he's validated others like Cinco de Mayo and others that are way worse.

Cinco de Maya is about drinking cerveza and margaritas.

It has my official stamp of approval.

[FITZ]

But you can drink those every day ---it doesn't take a special holiday. But then again that day at least celebrates the French getting beat up.

[skeeter]

Maulana Karenga, an African-American scholar and activist, conceived Kwanzaa in 1966....

while cooling his heels in the slammer

[kako]

"....collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics....."

It's just so heartening to hear Bush lauding a communist holiday.