Barack Obama's official statement on Kwanzaa

[The Straight Story]

Barack Obama's official statement on Kwanzaa

Michelle and I send warm wishes to all those celebrating Kwanzaa this holiday season.

This is a joyous time of year when African Americans and all Americans come together to celebrate our blessings and the richness of our cultural traditions. This is also a time of reflection and renewal as we come to the end of one year and the beginning of another.

The Kwanzaa message tells us that we should recall the lessons of the past even as we seize the promise of tomorrow.

The seven principles of Kwanzaa - Unity, Self Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith - express the values that have inspired us as individuals and families; communities and country.

These same principles have sustained us as a nation during our darkest hours and provided hope for better days to come. Michelle and I know the challenges facing many African American families and families in all communities at this time, but we also know the spirit of perseverance and hope that is ever present in the community.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/12/barack-obama-kwanzaa.html

Where is the war on Kwanzaa? Where are threads about how bad/evil this holiday is? We know now Jesus was rich, that Christmas is a pagan holiday, etc. What do we know about Kwanzaa and the ever evil Hanukkah?

;)

[FrenchieCat]

1. There are no threads on Kwanzaa except this one.....

So there can be no war, cause its technically an invisible Holiday to most. :shrug:

[BP2]

2. Fortunately, we are all free to practice as we so choose. But not all holidays are

created equally. Yule is among the most-ancient holidays we might recognize today.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule

OTOH, one could decorate an aluminum Festivus poll and have an airing of grievances, but that still doesn't mean it's a holiday that is worthy of following and will stand the test of time.

Some might say the same of Kwanzaa, which 500K to 2M celebrate in the US. However, it is purely up to each person to decide if it's right for her or himself to follow.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwanzaa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Karenga

[tblue]

3. Lovely. Thanks for sharing. Was this emailed?

I had to miss my family's Kwanzaa this year (they held it early and I was traveling), so it's heartwarming to read this. Appreciate it!