Who here celebrates Kwanzaa??

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 5:54 pm

I am the only white guy where I work. Most of the rest are black. I asked who celebrated Kwanzaa. Nobody.

Then I asked if anybody knows anybody who celebrates Kwanzaa. Nope.

How about you, fellow Gardeners? Anybody know anybody who celebrates Kwanzaa?

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:12 pm

NOPE..... But then I work in a Jewish Building we rent the top floor..

so we have a Christmas Tree, Menorah, and we even have one of the Kwanzaa thingys so we covered all the bases...

KWANZAA THING

Attached files

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:14 pm

Im white, my family is white but I still consider myself black.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:16 pm

NOMAD, We need to talk sweetie..!! :wah: :wah:

Im white, my family is white but I still consider myself black.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:21 pm

ArnoldLayne wrote: Acc, I'm curious. Is this an African American thing ? My time in Africa nothing like this was ever refered toAn American created it in the 70's, I think. I'm convinced the only people that even pay it lip service are upper-middle-class liberals, mostly white ones. :p

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:22 pm

Nomad wrote: Im white, my family is white but I still consider myself black.Are we talking sheep?

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:31 pm

ArnoldLayne wrote: What was the reason ? To feel closer to their Africanness.(Sorry no such word but you get my drift )
A link about Kwanza.......................

http://www.tike.com/celeb-kw.htm

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 8:12 pm

It does appear to be strickly African American............what is the tradition behind it?

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 5:55 am

As I understand it, and I haven't studied, the guy invented it to create a tradition unique to the descendants of American slaves.

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 6:56 am

Kwanzaa was established in 1966 in the midst of the Black Freedom Movement and thus reflects its concern for cultural groundedness in thought and practice, and the unity and self-determination associated with this. It was conceived and established to serve several functions.

Reaffirming and Restoring Culture

First, Kwanzaa was created to reaffirm and restore our rootedness in African culture. It is, therefore, an expression of recovery and reconstruction of African culture which was being conducted in the general context of the Black Liberation Movement of the '60's and in the specific context of The Organization Us, the founding organization of Kwanzaa and the authoritative keeper of its tradition. Secondly, Kwanzaa was created to serve as a regular communal celebration to reaffirm and reinforce the bonds between us as a people. It was designed to be an ingathering to strengthen community and reaffirm common identity, purpose and direction as a people and a world community. Thirdly, Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce the Nguzo Saba (the Seven Principles.) These seven communitarian African values are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). This stress on the Nguzo Saba was at the same time an emphasis on the importance of African communitarian values in general, which stress family, community and culture and speak to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense. And Kwanzaa was conceived as a fundamental and important way to introduce and reinforce these values and cultivate appreciation for them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor, Department of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, author and scholar-activist who stresses the indispensable need to preserve, continually revitalize and promote African American culture.

Finally, it is important to note Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday, not a religious one, thus available to and practiced by Africans of all religious faiths who come together based on the rich, ancient and varied common ground of their Africanness.

www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.html

SOJOURNER · Post by **SOJOURNER** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 8:07 am

Local TV news shows out of Cleveland show Kwanza celebrations around the holidays, but this too could be the upper crust........ I too have never heard of any co-workers personally celebrating it.

robinseggs · Post by **robinseggs** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 8:30 am

I may have misinterpreted this but I think someone said they have seen Kwanzaa asscociated with the upper crust or upper middle class??????????

At least here in MO we have many many African Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa, and they are from all socio-economic status. Across the board. I used to teach in a lower socio-economic school building and they were just as entusiastic about Kwanzaa as the rich ones.

rumdiary · Post by **rumdiary** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 11:46 am

Kwanza doesn't do much for me. I'm not impressed. Just another tool to seperate, segregate, and then litigate.

I just made that up. I have know idea what it meant but I had to go with it.

rumdiary · Post by **rumdiary** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 11:55 am

SnoozeControl wrote: I might use that as my signature later.

Its yours.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 5:10 pm

robinseggs wrote: I may have misinterpreted this but I think someone said they have seen Kwanzaa asscociated with the upper crust or upper middle class??????????

At least here in MO we have many many African Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa, and they are from all socio-economic status. Across the board. I used to teach in a lower socio-economic school building and they were just as entusiastic about Kwanzaa as the rich ones.Finally! Have we found Kwanzaa Central? Serious question: does it seem to be commercialized - an African-type Christmas?

I think it's cool any time we can celebrate positive ideals. Too bad the good professor thought it necessary to start it as a segregated tradition.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 5:25 pm

Finally! Have we found Kwanzaa Central? Serious question: does it seem to be commercialized - an African-type Christmas?

I dont know acc. I just dont know.

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 1:22 am

Did anyone look at the website ? www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org

On the face of it the ideals are OK and I found it interesting, but I have no first hand knowledge & I've not heard of it here in the UK....I also tend NOT to be cynical about these things and I'm probably a 'tad' naive.

If they have a good time during their celebrations......well Hey....good on'em.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 5:00 am

I can't remember exactly when it was popular to discuss it - late 70's I guess - but I do remember the big question was how was it different from what we are celebrating in December already?

SOJOURNER · Post by **SOJOURNER** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 5:13 am

rumdiary wrote: Just another tool to seperate, segregate, and then litigate.

This spoke to me too. It is just all too true.

I guess Snooze and I do have the same brain -- or maybe it is a mind-melt......