Kwanzaa?

My cousin is currently deployed in Africa. I emailed him to ask how his first "real" Kwanzaa was going. He said that no one over there has ever heard of it.

I understand it is an uniquely American creation. Started in the '60s I think.

Yep.

I'm guessing there is a large percentage of African Americans who have no idea when it is.

It has nothing to do with Africa. They're mostly Muslim, anyway (which made ""Do They Know It's Christmas" that much sillier) and thus don't have to make up any holidays.

Actually, it follows the teachings of the Symbionese Liberation Army, a terrorist organization in California from the 70's. So, when President (W.) Bush gave a "happy kwanza" speech, remember that.

^It's reported to have been first celebrated in the 60s, so how does it follow teachings from something in the 70s?

I never heard of it till the 70's either. As best my recollection it was more of a counter-white-slap in the face type of holiday that I dare you to make fun of. Remember times were different then.

First celebrated in '66/'67.

Intersting fellow who founded it.

The twelve days of Kwanzaa

This here is what it is all about.

this about sums it up...

During the early years of Kwanzaa, Karenga said that it was meant to be an alternative to Christmas, that Jesus was psychotic, and that Christianity was a white religion that black people should shun.

In 1971, Karenga "was sentenced to one to ten years in prison on counts of felonious assault and false imprisonment".[11] One of the victims gave testimony of how Karenga and other men tortured her and another woman. The woman claimed to have been stripped and beaten with an electrical cord. Karenga's former wife, Brenda Lorraine Karenga, testified that he sat on the other woman’s stomach while another man forced water into her mouth through a hose. A May 14, 1971, article in the Los Angeles Times described the testimony of one of the women: "Deborah Jones, who once was given the Swahili title of an African queen, said she and Gail Davis were whipped with an electrical cord and beaten with a karate baton after being ordered to remove their clothes. She testified that a hot soldering iron was placed in Miss Davis' mouth and placed against Miss Davis' face and that one of her own big toes was tightened in a vise. Karenga, head of US, also put detergent and running hoses in their mouths, she said. They also were hit on the heads with toasters."

In 1975, with newly-adopted views of Marxism, Karenga was released from California State Prison, and re-established the Us organization under a new structure. One year later, he was awarded his first doctorate. In 1977, he formulated a set of principles called Kawaida, a Swahili term for normal. Karenga called on African Americans to adopt his secular humanism and reject other practices as mythical

And here I always thought Kwanzaa was created by the Feds to make black people feels special.

Invented by a psycho nutjob instead. Neat.

So what the hell is Festivus ?

curtis73 wrote: So what the hell is Festivus ?

It's awesome.

curtis73 wrote: So what the hell is Festivus ?

Its for the restvus.

Grizz wrote: And here I always thought Kwanzaa was created by the Feds to make black people feels special. Invented by a psycho nutjob instead. Neat.

And I suppose Christmas wasn't? Some guy claims to have walked on water, raised the dead, put two of every creature on the entire earth into one boat, created the universe and so on...but he's sane?

I'll take the Coca-Cola sponsored, retail-therapy version of Christmas thank you.

pinchvalve wrote: put two of every creature on the entire earth into one boat

Noah?

N Sperlo wrote:

curtis73 wrote: So what the hell is Festivus ?

Its for the restvus.

you owe me a keyboard

In reply to 4cylndrfury:

Is it just me, or do the reindeer appear to be hung over?

In reply to ransom:

too much nog...