How come none of my black friends celebrate Kwanzaa?

Question

I live in a town that is 95% black, I work at a school program for all black children, and scarcely see white people. I have never met one person that celebrates Kwanzaa. Why is this?

Sorry, I'm Puerto Rican, I don't know. I wasn't trying to be racist, don't be so defensive.

Answer 1

Who better to answer you than me?? lol The reason why is because the percentage of black people that do celebrate kwanzaa is really low! Some guy made up the holiday, I don't even know the real fundamentals on it. I know that from what I've heard, it was meant to be a meaningful and spritual reconnection for us to our ancestors and our heritage. I really dig it, and think it's cool. Don't think that we all should celebrate it, because everybody has their own mind and free will right? Should all Spanish descendants be Catholic? Should all "Jews" be Orthodox Jews? No. It all goes back to stereotyping. But, I respect your question truly. I think maybe a lot of people were wondering and now they know.

Answer 2

Unlike stated by some of the "answerers" Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday. Kwanzaa is invented but not phony. Kwanzaa is a holiday created so that African Americans can celebrate their heritage (just like St. Patricks Day so to speak). Yes, we are all equal, but we are also equally different. And unlike stated before being Christian has NOTHING to do with it. Kwanzaa starts the day after Christmas so it is easy to celebrate both. The reason that most black people don't celebrate Kwanzaa is because they are oblivious to it; they don't understand the holiday, haven't made an effort to understand its meaning and don't see the reason to. Kwanzaa is a time of celebration, community gathering, and reflection. It allows the African American people to get in touch with what was once lost and to appreciate our roots. The sad truth is most of us are so far gone there is no recovery.

Answer 3

For this year, it hasn't started yet.

Kwanzaa is a non-religious, week-long holiday established in 1966 to celebrate African heritage. Observances include candle-lighting, social gatherings, and reflection on seven community-oriented principles. Kwanzaa begins Wednesday, December 26, 2007 and ends Tuesday, January 01, 2008 this year. It begins Friday, December 26, 2008 and ends Thursday, January 01, 2009 next year.

Answer 4

My African American Culture professor was infuriated when someone said that Kwanzaa was a real holiday. She explained that a man without a clean past invented the holiday thinking it would bring black people closer together. She told us that the morals are important in African communities but that's about it. The language, Swahili is not even an official African language. It was created as a trade language so that Africans and Middle Eastern traders could better communicate during business transactions. Her whole problem was that it makes Africans seems as though they have no true culture and that we have to make up holidays and special occassions to better assimilate. Yes most Black people are christian or muslim and Kwanzaa is not connected to any religion at all. I personally think it's sad that schools call themselves being multicultural by including Kwanzaa in festivities and claiming it is celebrated in Africa. Completely false!

Answer 5

I wonder if you are black, white, or something else.

Kwanzaa was invented circa 1968. Christmas has been around for a little less than 2,000 years. Blacks are more used to celebrating Christmas. Also, most American Blacks are Christians, and many are devoted followers of Jesus. African-American culture includes many Christmas spirituals such as "Go Tell It on the Mountain" and "Mary Had a Baby", and black-written or black-sung songs such as "Mary's Boy Child" and "This Christmas".

I'm black, and I've only celebrated Kwanzaa once or twice. Once I went to a Kwanzaa fair at a local library. A few years ago my cousin, who is also a devout Christian who celebrates Christmas, hosted a Kwanzaa party. I did feel a deep spiritual or gut connection as I never felt with any other holiday; this must be the way the Irish feel about Saint Patrick's Day or how the Jews feel about Passover.

Nevertheless, Christmas is still meaningful to me, to celebrate Christ's birth, to reach out to the poor (even though I'm poor myself), to gather with family and friends, and to welcome winter. Christmas Week, from Christmas Day to New Year's Day, is full of relaxation and celebration, and I don't need to add to it. Also, we now have Martin Luther King Day circa January 15.

Kwanzaa's fine, but I really don't need it.

Answer 6

Because Kwanzaa was invented in the 60's buy a guy who thought that it would be better for African Americans to live completely different lives than Caucasians.(the sevenfold path of blackness is think black, talk black, act black, create black, buy black, vote black, and live black), instead of creating unity between all races. It doesn't have any historical background. The same principles are pretty much covered in Christianity, and Islam, the main religions of African Americans. And all those African Americans who are Christian and Muslim celebrate Christmas or Eid.

Answer 7

Holidays like Christmas have died in real purpose over the years. It used to be a celebration, but now its an excuse to get gifts and for stores to sell that stuff. Channakah is under known and passes by without a store special, and i have never seen any store even mention Kwanzaa

Answer 8

what's with this fricken stereotype?
not all black people have to celebrate Kwanzaa you know.
Once I had a friend ask me, "Do you celebrate Kwanzaa?"
I said, "No."
She said, "But you're black."

I'll have everyone know, Kwanzaa isn't a holiday for black people, or a "black" holiday.
it originated in Africa, but most African-Americans are used to Christmas.

Answer 9

just because a person is black doesnt mean they celebrate kwanzaa. some black people choose not to. there's no one reason that applies to all black people as to why they dont celebrate kwanzaa.

Answer 10

not all black people celebrate Kwanzaa thats why. I would know, im black and don't either. like not all white people celebrate christmas... well that dosent really work, but still