kwanzaa Options

[*kryogenix*]

Do you view Kwanzaa as a real holiday, or a joke?

[*tweeak*]

I can understand the joke. Yes, the principles are good, but in reality, how many people buy it? Most people don't really know what it is, as schools often do little to dispell the opinion that it's some sort of black religious holiday. It's all a matter of political correctness. I have yet to meet anyone who actually celebrates Kwanzaa and yet he whole winter holiday thing must to Christmas, Hanukkah...oh yeah, and Kwanzaa too. Nate, you say that the value of it is not based on popularity, but is a holiday worth anything if it isn't recognized? Doesn't that make it about as worth while as say Secretarys' Day? It's a national holiday, so obviously there was a foundation for its creation initially, but in reality the importance is measured in how many people care. Additionally, does this not also toe the line of racism? In loo of things like Black History Month and Affirmative Action, these are not moving us any closer to rquality, which should be the ultimate goal. By creating all of these "oppertunities" and "empowerments" for African Americans both as individuals and as a community, it only keeps the divide between the races open. We as Americans cannot spend all eternity making amends for the past. Racism cannot be blamed for everything, and reverse racism is still racism. While I'm getting off on a bit of a tangent now, it seems that Kwanzaa is another attempt to boost black morale in order for them to get ahead. It does seem a bit off, though, because all cultures would benefit from the principles, and to confine them to one race seems counter-productive. Similarly, the celebration seems out of place in today's society. By forcing recognition on everyone, it will only get mocked and attract eye rolls at it's mention- both by blacks and other races alike. The part of the African American community that could best benefit from Kwanzaa is the part that does the best job of ignoring it, while much of the remainder has risen above the challanges and converged with the rest of the society, making a race-specific celebration unnecessary. While Kwanzaa originally served its purpose when it was introduced, it seems to have become obsolete in its isolationism.