Blind Prophecy

To the anonymous emailer who wanted me to read about how Kwanzaa is a “fake” holiday “founded by a racist.”

I’m perfectly aware that Kwanzaa was created in the 1960s. I’m perfectly aware that the creator of the holiday is a controversial figure. I learned that much from the Kwanzaa Wikipedia entry. And yet, I have decided to celebrate it. Why?

Because Martin Luther King Day (aka “Human Rights Day” in Utah) wasn’t observed as an official federal holiday until 1986.Veteran’s day was “created” in 1938. 1866 saw the first observance of the “made up” holiday known as Memorial Day. 

Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all celebrate controversial figures in history, some of them obviously more racist in their mythology than Ron Karenga. The historical accuracy of modern pagan traditions around Solstice (and all Sabbat rituals) is suspect, and many Christian “traditions” around Christmas and Easter date back less then a century and almost all were stolen from older religious paths. Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas seem to be hugely driven by consumerism. 

Kwanzaa’s stated purpose is to celebrate African heritage. Karenga also said, “it was chosen to give a Black alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society.” Regardless of any controversy, regardless of how new the holiday is to our collective lexicon, regardless of how “commercial” the holiday… these are goals I can support and respect.

This upcoming year I also plan to celebrate Chinese New Year, Dia de los Muertos, Passover, Earth Day, National Coming Out Day, and more. Not all holidays need to be ancient, part of my particular ancestry, or uncontroversial for me to find value in them.

So, I’m not some sucker lured into Kwanzaa under false pretences. My eyes are open. Go peddle your propoganda somewhere else.

p.s. If this email came from who I think it did… why do you even call yourself a Democrat? I swear you’re a greedy, xenophobic conservative who’s just too selfish to give up his sex life and welfare check. Really, this article you sent me was unworthy of Rush Limbaugh.

Filed under: livejournal by Jere Keys