The meening of kwanzaa

[Guest CraigSF39]

kwanzaa is now, it is very important. especially in the us, where african americans are treated so bad and unfair, kwanzaa must be honord and respected.

 

africa is about life and giving and love, unlike the west, which is about conquer and slavery and power. africa and african americans must be cherished and respected and celebrated.

 

what are you doing to honor kwanzaa? below is from a web sight aobut kwanzaa, this country needs it, some peopel on the bord who will go unnamed need it a lot. let us honor african americans for all that was done to them, all that they are. in kwanzaa, we are all african:

 

___________________________

 

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.

[BewareofNick]

The 12 days of Kwanzaa

 

You are absolutely right. In honor of Kwanzaa, I have selected this piece by up and coming african-american comedian Shirley Q Liquor:

 

The Twelve Days of Kwanzaa[/c]

by Shirley Q Liquor[/c]

 

On the first day of Kwanza...

my childrens asked me, "mamm, what is Kwanzaa for, anyway?"

 

On the second day of Kwanzaa...

some lady bothered me. I cursed her out and I say "no, I don't want no Olan Mills pictures and quit calling here!"

 

On the third day of Kwanzaa...

I went out to the store. I needed beer and cigarets but they was closed, so I smashed out the windows, did a drive-by and cursed em all out.

 

On the fourth day of Kwanzaa...

I turned on the t.v. Young and the Restless, All of My Children, One Day to Live, and then "Oprah" at 4 o'clock.

 

On the fifth day of Kwanzaa...

My check came in the mail. AFDC! "Thank you Lord" I said, "come on kids, let's go to the store for some collard greens, hamhocks and some cheese."

 

On the sixth day of Kwanzaa...

the police rang the bell. They served a warrant, I nearly passed out! But it wa ok, som woman had said I stole her wigs, but I told em all I was gonna give em back anyway.

 

On the seventh day of Kwanzaa...

I poured myself a drink. I drank 40 ounces, got really full then lost my mind. I drove down the street cursing out everyone I saw. Then I bashed the Cadilac upside a Dairy Queen.

 

On the eighth day of Kwanzaa...

I bought a TV Guide... not much had happened. I was hungover from a bad headache from Schiltz Malt Liquor Bull. I tried to stay home and be quiet, take my nerve pills... you can just feel Kwanzaa in the air.

 

On the nineth day of Kwanzaa...

I painted all my nails. Two shades of purple, one shade of turquoise, throwed on some glitter, did em up real nice... I had looked good! Then I drove on down to Popeye's, bought me some chicken and I stayed home and looked at t.v.

 

On the tenth day of Kwanzaa...

Shoplifting was the thing. 10 Now or Laters, 9 little candies, 8 cans of tuna fish, 7 little niknaks, 6 pack of Budweiser, 5 Lee Press-On Nails, 4 pieces of gum, 3 large fries, 2 days back in jail... it was Kwanzaa, so what the hell?

 

On the eleventh day of Kwanzaa...

I got out on parole. I rolled a big joint, went down to church and talked all out of my head. Got happy and shouted, passed out and hollered. They called 911 and the Lord set me free! Gave my testimony, stepped on home, didn't even remember where I stayed, I woke up real hungry and confused.

 

On the twelfth day of Kwanzaa...

My childrens gathered around me. Lincoln, Alow vera, Gyne-Lotrimin, LemonJello, OrangeJello, Tinactin, Tempasia, KMartina, Fallopia, Shi'Thead, Shameka-Vonquishia, Salmonella, Chlamydia Champagne, Democtorius, Saskatoon, Cheeto and Skuketia...

And it had really started to feel more like it was getting near Kwanza

[Guest]

Just when I thought the message center was starting to get dull. I'm getting a feeling this may be a fun string to watch. Or will people ignore the "flame bait"?

[duke37]

RE: The meaning of kwanzaa

 

BoN, not a single part of Kwanzaa includes servicing the huge dongs of the fathers of her 9 kids? I'm shocked! I thought no false stereotype would go unmentioned.

 

You are so aching to go to hell for this one. Happy Kwanzaa everyone.

 

Jeff

[BewareofNick]

RE: The meaning of kwanzaa

 

Actually, Duke, Shirley has 19 children and , to quote one of her other songs, "Who my babies daddies is? The childrens have a right to know!"

[Guest RydeMyButt]

>kwanzaa is now, it is very important. especially in the us,

>where african americans are treated so bad and unfair,

>kwanzaa must be honord and respected.

>

 

By this logic, some professor of Gay and Lesbian studies should come up with a new gay holiday (Fabulaa?) in which everyone dresses in drag and gathers around a candelabra to exchange martinis and bitchy comments, because after all, "especially in the us, where {gays} are treated so bad and unfair, {Fabulaa} must be honord and respected."

 

While prejudism still exists in the United States (or, U.S. if you prefer), it is no longer a matter of state policy, or codified in our laws. There are few other countries where the government and courts have have made such efforts to eliminate all forms of official, and most forms of private discrimination. But this is something which remains unknown or unacknowledged by that segment of our population whoch insist on flagellating themselves and the rest of us so they can feel like they are warm, caring human beings who are just a little more sensitive than the rest of us.

 

>africa is about life and giving and love,

 

Like in Rwanda, where the new national anthem is "Tut-Tut-Tutsi, Goodbye!"?

 

> unlike the west,

>which is about conquer and slavery and power. africa and

>african americans must be cherished and respected and

>celebrated.

 

Craig, Craig, Craig...most of the countries in the world where slavery is actively practiced are in...(drum roll, please)...Africa!! And these modern slavemasters are...Blacks! Specifically, slavery remains an serious problem in Sudan, Mauretania, Gabon, West Africa, etc. But then again, I bet all those slaves will each have a smile on their lips, and a tear in their eye, knowing that the Spirit of Kwanzaa is alive and well in the United States.

 

>what are you doing to honor kwanzaa?

 

Laughing contemptuously at everyone who tries to promote this tripe.

 

> below is from a web

>sight aobut kwanzaa, this country needs it, some peopel on

>the bord who will go unnamed need it a lot. let us honor

>african americans for all that was done to them, all that

>they are.

 

You actually didn't need to tell us that you did a "cut-and-paste" from an internet article. The generally decent grammer and lack of spelling errors did this for you. But thanks for "fessing up".

 

>in kwanzaa, we are all african:

 

Oh, goody! Now I can start getting preferential treatment in hiring, so that we have appropriate social balance! I will start checking that little box next to "ethnicity" the next time I apply for a job!

 

{Big fat snip of useless drivel}

 

>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.

 

Damn that corporate America for providing seasonal employment for the habitually unemployed! How exploitative! The only responsibility corporate America has with regard to "quality of life" issues is to make sure I can have as many TV's, VCR's, and DVD's (preferably one in every room in my house) as I can afford.

 

And when you think about it, I haven't notice corporate America going out of their way to be extra nice to the residents of Appalachia (except to provide them with as many broken appliances on their front porch as possible).

 

> Additionally, African-Americans

>did not observe a holiday that was specific to our needs.

 

And the birth of Christ isn't? Funny, considering that the vast majority of Black Americans are Christian. But let me check my Bible.

 

Well, I'll be damned. There it is, in John, 3:16:

 

"For God so loved the world (except African-Americans), that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (except the African-Americans)."

 

And what the hell do you call "June-teenth"?

 

{Huge snip of more pointless drivel}

 

>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.

>

 

Puh-leeeeeeze!!! I defy anyone else to identify ONE of these alleged "churches, mosques, temples" which celebrate this utterly ridiculous, made-up, wanna-be holiday which was invented by a Black Muslim who just wanted to create another gift-giving opportunity and shift focus from Christians and Jews (who themselves have taken a fairly minor festival and blown it up out of proportion to compelte with Christmas)! And when you really look at it, he didn't do a very good job; in essence, he stole elements from Judaism (the 7 candle "Kwanzaa log: is just a do-it-yourself menorah!), etc.

 

I could go on...but I'll let others have some fun, too...

 

Hakuna Matata!

[Will]

Thank God for the Lone Ranger!

[Bilbo]

While not celebrated thoughout the USA on the same day, gays do have "Gay Pride Week."

 

And since I share the same birtday, coming rapidly upon us, as a man whose b'day is now switched to Mondays, I find the non-mention of Martin Luther King Day a bit off-putting!

 

However, this Celt will celebrate nearly anything nearly anytime! And sees no reason for any group to stop with just one celebratory day or time period.

[Guest DevonSFescort]

>what are you doing to honor kwanzaa?

 

According to your website blurb, part of the main point of Kwanzaa is to create a "cultural holiday" (aren't all holidays cultural?) "specific to our needs" -- "our needs" being the needs of African Americans. If white people and other non-African Americans start jumping in to celebrate, aren't we effectively DIShonoring Kwanzaa by "appropriating" a holiday not intended for us?

 

>in kwanzaa, we are all african:

 

Again, nothing in the excerpt you cite supports that idea. Just the opposite. Every "we" and "us" is either African or African American, and the gist of the piece is that blacks need a mid-winter holiday of their own.

 

And let's not forget that your invitation to "celebrate" is based on a completely wholesale, unnuanced denouncement of Western culture. It's one thing to acknowledge racism's legacy and its continuation, and to express concern for the well being of African Americans and the people of Africa, but it's another to basically say that Western culture isn't worthy of any respect. To demonize the West as being about, and only about, "conquer and slavery and power," and to romanticize Africa the way you do -- RydeMyButt has already mentioned a few blots on the record of black Africans that you've overlooked -- doesn't do anything to feed, empower, or enrich a single black person (other than a few demagogues). It certainly doesn't educate anyone, unlike, say, Black History Month. It just makes you feel better by substituting lazy generalizations for real thought and action. Your idea of "celebration" seems like an exercise in morbidity.

 

Kwanzaa looks like a pretty contrived "tradition" to me, but of course there's nothing wrong per se with trying to kick-start a new "tradition." Hell, the Folsom Street Fair is only fifteen years old or so. But if Kwanzaa is to move beyond its clunky, politically correct beginnings into something more organic, it will do so because people WANT to celebrate it, not because they are scolded into it, or feel that they "ought" to celebrate it. It's not a good sign that it seeks to "enforce" a sense of connectedness. Most "enforced" connections take on a bleak, sterile feeling pretty quickly.

[Guest CraigSF39]

im disappointed but not surprised that on a board with white gay men mostly there is such bigotry over kwanzaa, the song posted was one of the most disgusting things ive read. in europe that song would be illegal, and it should!!! Spreading hatred leads to lynching.

 

>By this logic, some professor of Gay and Lesbian studies

>should come up with a new gay holiday (Fabulaa?) in which

>everyone dresses in drag and gathers around a candelabra to

>exchange martinis and bitchy comments, because after all,

>"especially in the us, where {gays} are treated so bad and

>unfair, {Fabulaa} must be honord and respected."

 

i think gay culture is about ALOT more than dressing in drag and being bitchie, we do have our own hoiday, its called gay pride, in case you havent herd. africans deserve one to, like all the opressed groups

 

>While prejudism still exists in the United States (or, U.S.

>if you prefer), it is no longer a matter of state policy, or

>codified in our laws.

 

so what!!! lynching blacks wasnt part of the law but it was done, things can be way more powerful even if there not allowed by law. what happened to mathew sheperd wasnt part of the law - does that mean it wasnt significant?

 

>There are few other countries where

>the government and courts have have made such efforts to

>eliminate all forms of official, and most forms of private

>discrimination.

 

wrong bigot! all europe has way stronger laws banning discrimination. they dont allow people to spread hatred, the us does. south africa was the first country to ban discrimination against gays, many euorpean contries do too - the us doesn't. figures a white gay american would think the us is the best at everything when it isnt. typical.

 

>Like in Rwanda, where the new national anthem is

>"Tut-Tut-Tutsi, Goodbye!"?

 

that happened becuase of the dutch colonization, before the white man invaded and took over, rawanda had peace.

 

>Craig, Craig, Craig...most of the countries in the world

>where slavery is actively practiced are in...(drum roll,

>please)...Africa!! And these modern slavemasters

>are...Blacks! Specifically, slavery remains an serious

>problem in Sudan, Mauretania, Gabon, West Africa, etc. But

>then again, I bet all those slaves will each have a smile on

>their lips, and a tear in their eye, knowing that the Spirit

>of Kwanzaa is alive and well in the United States.

 

now because of colonialization, yes.

 

>>what are you doing to honor kwanzaa?

 

>Laughing contemptuously at everyone who tries to promote

>this tripe.

 

thats what all rasists are doing. the rest of what you said is sad and you should be ashamed. you think only white culture is good, thats why your angry at holidaies that are for others. too bad - whites are the minority in the us soon, you feel week and are lashing out because your priviledges are beinng removed.

[phage]

>too bad - whites are the minority in the us

>soon, you feel week and are lashing out because your

>priviledges are beinng removed.

 

Like most of the things you say, that is only half informed and kind of stupid. Think it through moron. Some day soon, whites will no longer be a majority in this country when you compare them to all other races. We will hardly be a minority and will continue to be the largest single group with a disproportionate amount of the wealth and power. I doubt very seriously that many of these white men you despise so much are feeling week and worried about the loss of privileges. If for no other reason than most of these “privileges” (at least the ones I think you might be babbling about) are a result of wealth and have nothing to do with being white.

 

The color this country cares about the most is…green. The surest protection against discrimination is wealth and the playing field is pretty level about getting it. Go to school, get a job, and quit blaming other people or institutions for your lack of success.

[phage]

>despise so much are feeling week and worried about the loss

 

Ouch…glad I didn’t ridicule his spelling this time. I meant “weak” of course.

[CT Dick]

Shame, shame, shame

 

Here we are the victims of all kinds of prejudice in this country and we turn around and victimize another minority in our midst.

 

Craig has tried to inform us of a holiday meant to foster ethnic pride among African Americans. Italian Americans have Columbus Day. The Irish Americans have St Patrick's Day. Hispanic Americans have Cinco de Mayo and Tres Reyes and Día de la Raza. German Americans have von Stueben Day. Jewish Americans have a whole set of holidays. Anglo Americans have everyday.

 

Why shouldn't African Americans have a day?

 

This board would be aflame if some st8 attacked Gay Pride yet the bigots in our midst see nothing wrong with mocking kwanzaa.

 

Shame on you all.

 

Happy Kwanzaa to Craig and all the rest of you men of good will.

 

Dick

[+ Lucky]

RE:

 

Happy Kwanzaa to all! I agree with CT Dick, we should help others celebrate who they are as we do for our own.

[Guest CraigSF39]

>Like most of the things you say, that is only half informed

>and kind of stupid. Think it through moron. Some day soon,

>whites will no longer be a majority in this country when you

>compare them to all other races. We will hardly be

>a minority and will continue to be the largest single group

>with a disproportionate amount of the wealth and power.

 

you wish!! so many whites, depserate to hold onto their privileges, scared that they wont hve them. ever heard of voting? its this thing that says who the leaders are, when whites are the minority, theyll be voted out, and lose all power, thats why whites like you are scared of things like kwanzaa.

[Guest CraigSF39]

>To that end, I leave you with a quote from someone I admire

>very much:

>

>“I have a dream that my four children will one day live

>in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of

>their skin but by the content of their character.”

 

nothing is worst then when a rasist says "oh, i like martin luther king." do you have black friends to? you post a song about african-americans bieng on welfare and crack and being criminals, and then justify it by saying i like mlk. your to vile for words

[Guest CraigSF39]

RE: The meaning of klown

 

>What are you doing, aside from casting aspersions on the

>reputations of people trying to make a living, in part,

>through their exposure on this site?

 

i thought the purpose of this sight was to comment honestly on the prostitutes, i saw your pictures and did that, why are you mad? i thought thats what this sight was for.

 

>I've never exchanged a single post or email with you, and in

>fact were unaware of your very existance until I read the

>hateful things you said in my ratings. Why in the world

>would you do such a rotten thing? You don't even know me,

>yet you'd attempt to sabotage my business by planting vulgar

>lies in a spot where a potential client might go to gather

>additional info to help make a decision?

 

i didnt say any lies about you sir, i only said about what you look like.

 

Why did you do that

>to me and other escorts here, and how could you then start

>this thread about love and respect?

 

i think people should love and respect minorities, that doesnt mean everyone should pretend that ugly hookers are hot.

[BewareofNick]

>im disappointed but not surprised that on a board with white

>gay men mostly there is such bigotry over kwanzaa, the song

>posted was one of the most disgusting things ive read. in

>europe that song would be illegal, and it should!!!

>Spreading hatred leads to lynching.

 

Craig, you are continuing to smoke way too much crack. How is that song disgusting? It's real simple to make a blanket statement and then run away from it. This song was written by a GAY black comedian (re:drag queen) and performed by the same said performer. There is nothing disgusting about it at all. It is actually very funny.

 

And once again, we must remind you that no one gives a fuck about what is acceptable over in Europe. Anyone who would make that song illegal or thinks it should be illegal, IMHO is a moron. It's called freedom of speech. And for those who might be interested, here's a link to Shirley's website:

 

http://www.shirleyqliquor.com

 

And to quote Ms. Liquor herself, that statement of yours Craig is jus plain ignunt.

[BewareofNick]

RE: Shame, shame, shame

 

>Here we are the victims of all kinds of prejudice in this

>country and we turn around and victimize another minority in

>our midst.

>

>This board would be aflame if some st8 attacked Gay Pride

>yet the bigots in our midst see nothing wrong with mocking

>kwanzaa.

>

>Shame on you all.

>

>Happy Kwanzaa to Craig and all the rest of you men of good

>will.

>

>Dick

 

Someone is rather full of himself today (of course that's not different from any other day, but I digress)

 

Speaking only for myself, there was no attack here on Kwanzaa by me. I posted that song because it's funny and it reflected the subject matter of Craig's post. It was written by a gay black drag queen. You need to get over your politically correct indignation and not make more out of this than is actually there.

 

You want gay humor? I can do that too! You want white humor? Let me get my Jeff Foxworthy tapes. But get off your high horse and unclench a little bit.

 

Kwanzaa is a great holiday and it is desrving of respect AND humor. Of course, you probably get your panties in a twist over Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer too..and the McKenxie brothers Twelve days of Christmas

[Guest DevonSFescort]

RE: Shame, shame, shame

 

>Craig has tried to inform us of a holiday meant to foster

>ethnic pride among African Americans.

 

He might have started by actually providing information, like what the "seven principles," presumably uniquely African ones, are that Kwanzaa is meant to celebrate. Instead he kicked off the thread with a couple of sweeping stereotypes: "africa is about life and giving and love, unlike the west, which is about conquer and slavery and power" and then demanded to know what we were all doing to celebrate a holiday that is only intended for some of us. That's no excuse for the tone of the song that BewareofNick posted and the approving comments it drew, but the inevitable problem with beginning a dialogue with inflammatory comments is that you draw more inflammatory comments.

 

>Why shouldn't African Americans have a day?

 

They absolutely should, and not just one. Martin Luther King day, Black History Month, and Juneteenth are all important events rooted in American history. Kwanzaa seems to me to be rooted more in a desire for some kind of simplistic Pan-African identity which is distinctly NOT grounded in actual African history, and its quasi-religious overtones seem designed to encourage a secession from Christmas (which, like it or not, is an important holiday for many if not most African Americans, who can and do celebrate it "without shame or fear" in culturally distinct ways). There's nothing wrong with opting out of Christmas and starting your own tradition, but Craig seems to be insisting that everyone has an obligation to jump on the bandwagon. The website post he cites specifically hails the "revolutionary" temperament that inspired Kwanzaa, but whether or not a revolution would actually bring blacks something better than what it destroyed is, to say the least, debatable. But nothing in Craig's posts gives me the sense that he wants to debate -- it sounds like he wants to air grievances and engage in name-calling, and now he has attracted other name-callers. What has that got to do with "celebrating the season without shame?"

 

I wish anyone who celebrates Kwanzaa a Happy Kwanzaa, but I make no apologies for finding it incoherent and saying so. If Craig or anyone else has some light, rather than more heat, to shed on the subject, I'd be open to it.

[Guest cp8036]

<...africa is about life and giving and love, unlike the west, ...>

 

Many post-colonial Africian countries are full of oppression. Mozambique, Nigeria, Somolia, Uganda, Congo, and so on.

[Guest Viewmaster]

RE: Shame, shame, shame

 

BoN, with this one post you have elevated yourself in my eyes. There are too many posts around here filled with piety and psycho-babble, and it is refreashing to see someone stop and say "Lighten up".

[BewareofNick]

RE: Shame, shame, shame

 

>BoN, with this one post you have elevated yourself in my

>eyes. There are too many posts around here filled with

>piety and psycho-babble, and it is refreashing to see

>someone stop and say "Lighten up".

 

Thanks, VM. As Sigmund Freud once said, "Sometimes a cigar is really just a cigar!"

[Guest bollocks]

RE: Shame, shame, shame

 

Hay Kraig's f39, dont let rahyshists like bwearofnik an devyn's f get u upset: they dont be nuthin but haiters an be alwayz triyin to hait on peeps hoo be smarter i luv kvantza almos as much as sweetess day becuz thay both be steeped in historee an tradishun an u dont have to think they be fake contrivunsez Kraig's f39, keep yo hed up an dont let the man hold ya down happee kvantza

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

RydeMyButt,

 

I'll come along for the ride on this one...

 

Having put off reading this thread because the subject put me off and has from day one... I finallly got around to it and was my first inclination correct. Thankfully you capture well my thoughts on this and saved me the time and effort of a response, had I been inclined to do so, of which I'm doubtful.

 

TY