Is Kwanzaa a little too convenient?

Question

Don't call me a racist and leave it at that. Hear me out first and then if you want to call me a racist explain yourself at least. When I first heard about Kwanzaa it seemed a little weird because it didn't date back really far and it seemed a lot like Hannukah with the menorah-like thing. Then I found out it started the day after Christmas and ended on New Year's Eve. Doesn't that just seem like filler? Who wouldn't like to have a holiday in between Christmas and New Year's, that time can be depressing. It just seems like it was made for the sake of having a holiday.

Answer 1

You are correct when you say that Kwanzaa is a made up holiday. It is also a very reflective holiday. The very celebrating of Kwanzaa forces you to think about the seven principles. Unlike other holidays that are just a free day off. Kwanzaa really is seven days of mini ceremonies. Who amoung us could not use a little more reflection on: Unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. If we all did, maybe we wouldn't lead such shallow lives.
Umoja (Unity)
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together.
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.
Nia (Purpose)
To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
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.
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.
­ Maulana Karenga

Answer 2

Kwanzaa is a made-up holiday. It was made up by a liberal, black history professor somewhere in (surprise) California as a way for black Americans to "remember their roots" and all that stuff. There is ceremony memorializing planting and harvest, the elders of a family, pride, culture, history, and such as that. No real African celebrates anything remotely similar to Kwanzaa.

I think it's ridiculous that black Americans fall for Kwanzaa.

Answer 3

Kwanzaa may be "made up", but then again, many of our holidays (Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Mother's Day, and Father's Day to name a few) are "made up", and most of them even came about in the last century.

We shouldn't immediately decide something isn't "legit" because it's not that old. Remember, we've been remembering 9/11 since it happened, and it was just a day before the attack.

Answer 4

As a white north American, I find most of the answers received by you are totally embarrassing. I can't imagine what a non-white north American must think when they read the "American" Yahoo ! Answers page. No one is more ignorant than a white North American. If you want proof, have an educated person look at the answers you received - even ignoring the spelling, grammar, and sentence parsing.


Bloody embarrassing - we are a disgrace!

Answer 5

All holidays were made up at one point. The age of a holiday does not mean its not valid. I agree with the poster above me..most of the answers given are embarrassing.

Answer 6

I am an African-American and never celebrated this holiday, I saw this question and researched it. Thanks for the opportunity to learn about my culture!I found this article on melanet.com


"KWANZAA, the African-American cultural holiday conceived and developed by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga, was first celebrated on December 26, 1966. Kwanzaa is traditionally celebrated from December 26 through January 1, with each day focused on Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles. Derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits", Kwanzaa is rooted in the first harvest celebrations practiced in various cultures in Africa. Kwanzaa seeks to enforce a connectedness to African cultural identity, provide a focal point for the gathering of African peoples, and to reflect upon the Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles, that have sustained Africans. Africans and African-Americans of all religious faiths and backgrounds practice Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa was born out of the whirlwind of social and political changes of the sixties decade. The sixties represent one of many eras during which the African and African-American struggle for freedom and self-identity reached its historical peak, spawning multiple revolutionary movements.

By creating Kwanzaa, African-Americans sought to rectify the cultural and economic exploitation perpetrated against us during the months of October, November, and December (the Christmas season). During this season, corporate America typically ignored the quality of life concerns of African-Americans, yet encouraged participation in the commercialism of Christmas. Additionally, African-Americans did not observe a holiday that was specific to our needs. A review of the major holidays celebrated in the United States would reveal that not one related specifically to the growth and development of African-Americans. The development of Kwanzaa assumed a reassessment, reclaiming, recommitment, remembrance, retrieval, resumption, resurrection, and rejuvenation of the "Way of Life" principles recognized by African-Americans. These principles have strengthened African-Americans during our worldwide sojourn.

Today, Kwanzaa is recognized by millions throughout America and the world. It is celebrated often in community settings provided by homes, churches, mosques, temples, community centers, schools, and places of work. Kwanzaa allows us to celebrate the season without shame or fear of embracing our history, our culture, and ourselves."

Answer 7

Kwanzaa is silly, I don't know one black person who celebrates it, or even knows anything about it. I'm going to start my own white roots holiday.

Answer 8

do you know how many people actually celebrate Kwanzaa? I didn't even know how to spell it until you put up this question. who really cares? and i'm black. I don't even know what it's about.

Answer 9

Just another way to keep the $$$$$$$$$$$$ rolling in BABY!

Answer 10

Research it.