.

I’ve always said that “Kwanzaa” was a Politically Correct, Shake-N-Bake Affirmative Action holiday made up so that blacks would not have to feel bad about dreaming of a “White” Christmas.

But…. since I’m an old fashioned white guy from The South I get called a ‘raaaaacist’ for saying what took the author of this article years later to latch on to.

I sincerely wish All a very Merry Christmas and a swell Kwanzaa, too, if it really means anything to you.

.

“I love reading about African culture and history any time I can. That’s why I don’t need Kwanzaa. I have knowledge of self and kind.”
=================================================================

I ain’t mad at ya! If you took a survey, just on this site, you will find, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Some may not want to admit it, but the Truth is the Truth!

I am into my Soul/Spirituality, and it has NOTHING to do with Kwanzaa, Xmess, Ramadan or any other MAN-MADE ritual or cult called, re-ligion. The majority of the people, including myself, can’t even name the 7 principals and their meanings. I didn’t like the ONE BLACK CANDLE, that is represented. How come the BLACK candle was not FIRST? The color BLACK dominates ALL colors in the universe. It is the ONLY color that produces different HUES (colors). The Black candles needed to be represented, more than the red and green candles. Just my opinon.

I admire and have read the same books, by the brothers you mentioned. The late Ishakamusa Barashango was an excellent historian and lecturer. His book entitled, EUROPEAN HOLIDAYS is a must read, also a strong Brother by the name of Ben Ammi, who has a piece out entitled, GOD The Black Man and Truth, which is nothing, but TRUTH!!! There’s James Cone, who writes and teaches about Black Liberation Theology. I have a book entitled The History of Africa by Susan Altman, which has an enclyclopedia of Black Afrikan Heritage. Last, but not least, Black Inventors from Africa to America by C.R. Gibbs. Afrikans INTRODUCED AND INVENTED EVERYTHING we touch today…even the automobile, airplane, math, science and technology was introduced by Afrikans.

To be honest about the matter, I beLIEve some of our people are not interested, in hearing the Truth about OURstory. They want to beLIEve everything, they see and hear on tell-a-LIE-vision and listen to hisSTORY, which is a LIE! Most of them believe what these lying euroPEEans teach and brainwash them with, in their schools of LOWER learning. These teachers don’t teach our children about our ‘glorious past’ they just brainwash them with our forced enslavement. Our past DID NOT BEGIN WITH SLAVERY!!! If Blacks don’t want to learn about their TRUE past, how could they celebrate this helladay. Some of them don’t even acknowledge the principles of the re-ligion they ‘follow’. Stop FOLLOWING and LEAD!

What you said is True, and I read that information about Kwanzaa, also. This helladay is no different from the NAACP, ADL, Rainbow Coalition and The National Action Network, they are ALL controlled by khazars, who fund them! W.E. DuBois was an agent and front man for the khazars, who CONTROLLED the NAACP, then and still control it NOW!

IF BLACK PEOPLE WOULD UNITE, ORGANIZE AND SUPPORT OUR OWN, we would not need to ‘celebrate’ any helladay! Everyday would be a ‘HOLY DAY’. That’s the True; ‘heaven’ right here on Earth, which is to live in PEACE, HARMONY and LOVE. Some of the people that ‘practice’ these helladays, don’t even treat each other in LOVE, PEACE AND HARMONY.

Perhaps they should stop ‘practicing’ these man-made re-ligions and rituals, and START PUTTING THEM IN ACTION!

But, according to these jack leg screachers…YOU HAVE TO DIE FIRST!

IT’S TIME TO GET OUR MINDS TOGETHER!

Excellent piece, Brother Banjoko

“I love reading about African culture and history any time I can. That’s why I don’t need Kwanzaa. I have knowledge of self and kind.”
=================================================================

I ain’t mad at ya! If you took a survey, just on this site, you will find, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Some may not want to admit it, but the Truth is the Truth!

I am into my Soul/Spirituality, and it has NOTHING to do with Kwanzaa, Xmess, Ramadan or any other MAN-MADE ritual or cult called, re-ligion. The majority of the people, including myself, can’t even name the 7 principals and their meanings. I didn’t like the ONE BLACK CANDLE, that is represented. How come the BLACK candle was not FIRST? The color BLACK dominates ALL colors in the universe. It is the ONLY color that produces different HUES (colors). The Black candles needed to be represented, more than the red and green candles. Just my opinon.

I admire and have read the same books, by the brothers you mentioned. The late Ishakamusa Barashango was an excellent historian and lecturer. His book entitled, EUROPEAN HOLIDAYS is a must read, also a strong Brother by the name of Ben Ammi, who has a piece out entitled, GOD The Black Man and Truth, which is nothing, but TRUTH!!! There’s James Cone, who writes and teaches about Black Liberation Theology. I have a book entitled The History of Africa by Susan Altman, which has an enclyclopedia of Black Afrikan Heritage. Last, but not least, Black Inventors from Africa to America by C.R. Gibbs. Afrikans INTRODUCED AND INVENTED EVERYTHING we touch today…even the automobile, airplane, math, science and technology was introduced by Afrikans.

To be honest about the matter, I beLIEve some of our people are not interested, in hearing the Truth about OURstory. They want to beLIEve everything, they see and hear on tell-a-LIE-vision and listen to hisSTORY, which is a LIE! Most of them believe what these lying euroPEEans teach and brainwash them with, in their schools of LOWER learning. These teachers don’t teach our children about our ‘glorious past’ they just brainwash them with our forced enslavement. Our past DID NOT BEGIN WITH SLAVERY!!! If Blacks don’t want to learn about their TRUE past, how could they celebrate this helladay. Some of them don’t even acknowledge the principles of the re-ligion they ‘follow’. Stop FOLLOWING and LEAD!

What you said is True, and I read that information about Kwanzaa, also. This helladay is no different from the NAACP, ADL, Rainbow Coalition and The National Action Network, they are ALL controlled by khazars, who fund them! W.E. DuBois was an agent and front man for the khazars, who CONTROLLED the NAACP, then and still control it NOW!

IF BLACK PEOPLE WOULD UNITE, ORGANIZE AND SUPPORT OUR OWN, we would not need to ‘celebrate’ any helladay! Everyday would be a ‘HOLY DAY’. That’s the True; ‘heaven’ right here on Earth, which is to live in PEACE, HARMONY and LOVE. Some of the people that ‘practice’ these helladays, don’t even treat each other in LOVE, PEACE AND HARMONY.

Perhaps they should stop ‘practicing’ these man-made re-ligions and rituals, and START PUTTING THEM IN ACTION!

But, according to these jack leg screachers…YOU HAVE TO DIE FIRST!

IT’S TIME TO GET OUR MINDS TOGETHER!

Excellent piece, Brother Banjoko

….I’m really considering boycotting NewsOne and its sponsors. I don’t celebrate Kwanza, but why not write an article that is informs people of a holiday without being insulting? Moreover, it seems that since BP has outsourced its comment section to Disqus, ALL sorts of people have been posting on this forum, which use to be great when it was just….US.

….I’m really considering boycotting NewsOne and its sponsors. I don’t celebrate Kwanza, but why not write an article that is informs people of a holiday without being insulting? Moreover, it seems that since BP has outsourced its comment section to Disqus, ALL sorts of people have been posting on this forum, which use to be great when it was just….US.

F**K NewsSlum and their bull s**t stories.

I’ve always seen Kwanzaa as a half-assed wannabe Hanukkah bootlegged celebration but that’s just my opinion. Yours may differ.

kwanza is just a fake christianity blk ppl following white ppl again Allah is the only true God and islam only true religon

A fair enough assessment.

A fair enough assessment.

if you havent previously written an article proclaiming that white slave-owners independence day (july4) is wack, or white folks discovered america day (columbus day) is wack, or pilgrims breaking-bread-with- indians-before-they-killed-them day (thanksgiving) is wack, then why start with kwaanza ?

Because NEWSFUN is WACK!!!

the mind can’t teach what it don’t know….do MA’AT an live

I never really understood Kwanzaa or what it was actually celebrating. I knew a few Africans & only a handful actually celebrated it.

I dont celibrate Kwanzaa or any other holiday so none of this means anything to me.Most Blacks are too disorganized to have “anything Black” anyway so this is the reason why none of this is as prevelant as it probably should be.

I dont celibrate Kwanzaa or any other holiday so none of this means anything to me.Most Blacks are too disorganized to have “anything Black” anyway so this is the reason why none of this is as prevelant as it probably should be.

I dont celibrate Kwanzaa or any other holiday so none of this means anything to me.Most Blacks are too disorganized to have “anything Black” anyway so this is the reason why none of this is as prevelant as it probably should be.

With that said, go blow yourself up so All Praise Can Be Upon Him!

Oops! I accidentally clicked “like.”

With that said, go blow yourself up so All Praise Can Be Upon Him!

Oops! I accidentally clicked “like.”

ill blow myself up only if u 5ft away from me

Why does our own kind bash our own traditions? We have white america already pumping our society with propaganda to distort our image… and then we have black owned outlets such as this bashing our identity, distorting it and exploiting the worst of us… who the fux wrote this and why?

Why does our own kind bash our own traditions? We have white america already pumping our society with propaganda to distort our image… and then we have black owned outlets such as this bashing our identity, distorting it and exploiting the worst of us… who the fux wrote this and why?

Hmmm. I was just reading about this on Wikipedia, of course, today. I saw that the founder was a Black Panther. I guess I missed that part where he was an informant.

I learned about Kawanzaa in school. When I told my parent, who is African, about it they felt the very same way you do. They thought it was utterly ridiculous, along with the idea that a name like Shaquanda is African.

I’ve never observed it, but the thing I like about Kawanzaa is that it pays homage to the ancestors and actually gets the very young and old together talking about history, the past and asking questions. I think there is a education value in it for the youth since so few seem to be interested, or have been expose to, a fair breath of African/Black global history as well as their own personal family history.

Perhaps the creation of this holiday, observance, tradition, etc…was to ‘measure’ the strength, prominence, of pro-Black Nationalist sentiments. The FBI would clearly see that that whole ‘consciousness’ barely exists, now.

I am glad to see this article. I have a few things I would like to say about this article. First, in an interview with my brother the late Geronimo Pratt (JI JA) it was asked of him if he felt or thought Karenga had ratted on him to the FBI? His response was no. That being said, I will leave that along, however, I do have some feelings about Kwanzaa, being a celebration I can appreciate, and my response is no, because when you read what Kwanzaa is, the meaning I really do not like, such as gathering of the harvest, reminding me of when our people had to do that kind of thing by force and violence. Secondly, I would have appreciated Kwanzaa’s meaning based on building, taking from the fact how we built, and created everything first, since we were first on this earth, and that all history is a current event. That being said, maybe someone will come back, and revise the old meaning based on a suggestion as I have presented. What a yall think?

Boycott? Actually Kwanzaa IS whack! I been trying to tell ya’ll that for the longest. Now somebody finally agrees with me. Thank you Lord Jesus!!!

The author is an Islamist convert (he mentioned this in an article about Herman Cain). His criticism, in my opinion, is unfair because it draws on the fact that Kwanza is a ‘man-made’ holiday and is not authentic enough to pass as a legitimate one. But who is he to say considering that ALL holidays are man-made as well as all religions, including his own?

Hah! Hah! Hah! Hah! Dayum!!!! Niggas will bootleg ANYTHING… LOL!

Speaking as an Agnostic Atheist, I find most religious holidays to be annoying. Religion is the opiate of the people.

However, I have a hard time co-signing with a black person who is a muslim convert and who is trying to invalidate a religion that some black people–his own people-have created or celebrated.

Awwwwww Dayum! It’s unanimous. Now even the white man has acknowledged that Kwanzaa is Whack! Puerto Ricans have known this since Kwanzaa first came out. LOL!!

Awwwwww Dayum! It’s unanimous. Now even the white man has acknowledged that Kwanzaa is Whack! Puerto Ricans have known this since Kwanzaa first came out. LOL!!

Interesting article. I’m surprised Karenga got that job at the university after that murder and kidnapping charges. Karenga was the black movement that had us wearing dashikis and afros–the panters had us wearing berets and army pants.

Interesting article. I’m surprised Karenga got that job at the university after that murder and kidnapping charges. Karenga was the black movement that had us wearing dashikis and afros–the panters had us wearing berets and army pants.

Yeah. Muslims are always hell bent on blowing themselves up to get to them black eyed virgins. Let me tell you, black eyed virgins will get on your nerves, son!!!

Spoken like a true to life necro-monger.

Content aside, it would be marvelous if articles were actually proofread.

Content aside, it would be marvelous if articles were actually proofread.

Content aside, it would be marvelous if articles were actually proofread.

When I first herd of Kwanzaa and had it explained, I laughed out loud. It was an attempt to totally separate the American blacks from the recently desegregated American society, an attempt not to pollute the aggregation. It was the time of BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL, too. All that seems unnecessary now some 50 plus years ago.

When I first herd of Kwanzaa and had it explained, I laughed out loud. It was an attempt to totally separate the American blacks from the recently desegregated American society, an attempt not to pollute the aggregation. It was the time of BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL, too. All that seems unnecessary now some 50 plus years ago.

I am more annoyed that they still have up very old articles. Opinion pieces are not as irritating as having dated information. There are articles from 2010 that are displayed as if they are current. That is raggedy.

I noticed that, too. Several weeks ago, they had many articles about technology posted and some of them were months old. You’re right: very raggedy indeed.

I noticed that, too. Several weeks ago, they had many articles about technology posted and some of them were months old. You’re right: very raggedy indeed.

Unfortuanately, your opinion doesn’t matter. Athiests are spineless cowards… so it don’t even matter. LOL! No seriously… Athiests are like c**kroaches to most people. Nobody takes them seriously. Anyone that doesn’t believe in God is pretty much RETARDED.

F**K CHRISTMAS !!!!!!!!!!!

F**K CHRISTMAS !!!!!!!!!!!

You sure do keep your spic brown nose in black folk business a lot,what nothing interesting is happening in the Puerto Rican world,to boring for you.

Now it would be great if we could get them to blow up fake ass Puerto Rican a*****es.

Now it would be great if we could get them to blow up fake ass Puerto Rican a*****es.

Now it would be great if we could get them to blow up fake ass Puerto Rican a*****es.

Now that is a WHACK day right there.

Now that is a WHACK day right there.

Now that is a WHACK day right there.

yes its all the white man’s fault for this article. america used to be great when it was just US.

yes its all the white man’s fault for this article. america used to be great when it was just US.

yes its all the white man’s fault for this article. america used to be great when it was just US.

and if he or she is Atheist then why even care about what we’re doing?

and if he or she is Atheist then why even care about what we’re doing?

and if he or she is Atheist then why even care about what we’re doing?

Maybe if blacks stop sleeping around with everything outside their race we might be able to organize a union with each other to make things happen.

Maybe if blacks stop sleeping around with everything outside their race we might be able to organize a union with each other to make things happen.

Maybe if blacks stop sleeping around with everything outside their race we might be able to organize a union with each other to make things happen.

there was plenty of black slave owners and trading. Least you not forget the past but tell it how is REALLY is.

there was plenty of black slave owners and trading. Least you not forget the past but tell it how is REALLY is.

there was plenty of black slave owners and trading. Least you not forget the past but tell it how is REALLY is.

What do you mean have “anything Black’?

What do you mean have “anything Black’?

Athiests are like c**kroaches? Much in the same way you Hispanics are?? I don’t see Border Control cracking down on Atheists, just your people. As far as my opinion is concerned, it’s no less valid than yours (if anyone calls what YOU struggle to think an opinion; it’s more like a brain fart). Do you really want to keep it going?

You’re a self-proclaimed troll, so you know what you can do with your comments!

FUK YOUR FAKE ASS AND THAT WHITE BOY’S FAKE ASS!

HAPPY HELLADAYS!!!!

DAMN! YOU JUST GOT BLASTED…BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! MY NIGGA!

Carl, this isn’t Puerto Rico (or however you spell that commonwealth’s name) Seahag as a right to her ideas and frankly, there’s more of a case that there isn’t a God, than there is one. If there is a God, he or she is one of the biggest absentee land lords in history. Who the fck are you to say whose opinion does or doesn’t matter?

My dad felt the same way to. He hated the fact that there were somethings about the Anglo-Saxon that “Blacks” felt the need to copy. Plus, I think Karanga created Kwanza more as an opportunity to make money than for a celebration that’s our own. I mean when you check out the various cultures of western Africa, none of them celebrated this. Maternally, my family is from Mauritania. Years ago, when my cousins came to visit, then didn’t know what Kwanza was.

Other reasons to think Kwanzaa is wack is the fact that Dr. Karenga was a misogynist and served time for torturing women….

Ok, first of all this guy doesn’t even understand the celebration he is critiquing. Kwanzaa is not an African celebration it is African American. So “corn is not native to africa” is just stupid. Why in God’s name they bother to print ignorant stuff from some kid with the IQ of an ice cube I really don’t understand.

don’t blame newsone entirely. If you look at the type of articles that get the most comments and views, it’s not hard to tell that most of the readership here is not looking for anything terribly informative or sophisticated. Anything that can get emotional responses are the most popular articles here. Just look at what has gotten top comments and views for this week alone.

lol…you been saying that for a year now…you know they ainb’t changing!

lol…you been saying that for a year now…you know they ainb’t changing!

lol…you been saying that for a year now…you know they ainb’t changing!

lol…you been saying that for a year now…you know they ainb’t changing!

lol…you been saying that for a year now…you know they ainb’t changing!

lol…you been saying that for a year now…you know they ainb’t changing!

lol…you been saying that for a year now…you know they ainb’t changing!

“Kwanzaa is Wack: There I Said It” says the idiot who doesn’t understand it.

“Kwanzaa is Wack: There I Said It” says the idiot who doesn’t understand it.

I love this article! I love that you had the courage to write this and speak YOUR truth! You go Adisa! Thank you for speaking for those who do not have the courage! I feel more powerful already!

I love this article! I love that you had the courage to write this and speak YOUR truth! You go Adisa! Thank you for speaking for those who do not have the courage! I feel more powerful already!

I love this article! I love that you had the courage to write this and speak YOUR truth! You go Adisa! Thank you for speaking for those who do not have the courage! I feel more powerful already!

I love this article! I love that you had the courage to write this and speak YOUR truth! You go Adisa! Thank you for speaking for those who do not have the courage! I feel more powerful already!

I love this article! I love that you had the courage to write this and speak YOUR truth! You go Adisa! Thank you for speaking for those who do not have the courage! I feel more powerful already!

I love this article! I love that you had the courage to write this and speak YOUR truth! You go Adisa! Thank you for speaking for those who do not have the courage! I feel more powerful already!

I love this article! I love that you had the courage to write this and speak YOUR truth! You go Adisa! Thank you for speaking for those who do not have the courage! I feel more powerful already!

I love this article! I love that you had the courage to write this and speak YOUR truth! You go Adisa! Thank you for speaking for those who do not have the courage! I feel more powerful already!

I love this article! I love that you had the courage to write this and speak YOUR truth! You go Adisa! Thank you for speaking for those who do not have the courage! I feel more powerful already!

I love this article! I love that you had the courage to write this and speak YOUR truth! You go Adisa! Thank you for speaking for those who do not have the courage! I feel more powerful already!

I love this article! I love that you had the courage to write this and speak YOUR truth! You go Adisa! Thank you for speaking for those who do not have the courage! I feel more powerful already!

This is true. However, my other reason for possibly boycotting is the influx of racists and idiots on here due to Disqus, which I suppose goes to your point about BP wanting to increase readership–or actually, clicks, as the more clicks, the more potential revenue is driven. Still, I would prefer a virtual world without the little white racist trolls…I get enough of those in the real world!

This is true. However, my other reason for possibly boycotting is the influx of racists and idiots on here due to Disqus, which I suppose goes to your point about BP wanting to increase readership–or actually, clicks, as the more clicks, the more potential revenue is driven. Still, I would prefer a virtual world without the little white racist trolls…I get enough of those in the real world!

This is true. However, my other reason for possibly boycotting is the influx of racists and idiots on here due to Disqus, which I suppose goes to your point about BP wanting to increase readership–or actually, clicks, as the more clicks, the more potential revenue is driven. Still, I would prefer a virtual world without the little white racist trolls…I get enough of those in the real world!

This is true. However, my other reason for possibly boycotting is the influx of racists and idiots on here due to Disqus, which I suppose goes to your point about BP wanting to increase readership–or actually, clicks, as the more clicks, the more potential revenue is driven. Still, I would prefer a virtual world without the little white racist trolls…I get enough of those in the real world!

This is true. However, my other reason for possibly boycotting is the influx of racists and idiots on here due to Disqus, which I suppose goes to your point about BP wanting to increase readership–or actually, clicks, as the more clicks, the more potential revenue is driven. Still, I would prefer a virtual world without the little white racist trolls…I get enough of those in the real world!

This is true. However, my other reason for possibly boycotting is the influx of racists and idiots on here due to Disqus, which I suppose goes to your point about BP wanting to increase readership–or actually, clicks, as the more clicks, the more potential revenue is driven. Still, I would prefer a virtual world without the little white racist trolls…I get enough of those in the real world!

This is true. However, my other reason for possibly boycotting is the influx of racists and idiots on here due to Disqus, which I suppose goes to your point about BP wanting to increase readership–or actually, clicks, as the more clicks, the more potential revenue is driven. Still, I would prefer a virtual world without the little white racist trolls…I get enough of those in the real world!

This is true. However, my other reason for possibly boycotting is the influx of racists and idiots on here due to Disqus, which I suppose goes to your point about BP wanting to increase readership–or actually, clicks, as the more clicks, the more potential revenue is driven. Still, I would prefer a virtual world without the little white racist trolls…I get enough of those in the real world!

This is true. However, my other reason for possibly boycotting is the influx of racists and idiots on here due to Disqus, which I suppose goes to your point about BP wanting to increase readership–or actually, clicks, as the more clicks, the more potential revenue is driven. Still, I would prefer a virtual world without the little white racist trolls…I get enough of those in the real world!

This is true. However, my other reason for possibly boycotting is the influx of racists and idiots on here due to Disqus, which I suppose goes to your point about BP wanting to increase readership–or actually, clicks, as the more clicks, the more potential revenue is driven. Still, I would prefer a virtual world without the little white racist trolls…I get enough of those in the real world!

This is true. However, my other reason for possibly boycotting is the influx of racists and idiots on here due to Disqus, which I suppose goes to your point about BP wanting to increase readership–or actually, clicks, as the more clicks, the more potential revenue is driven. Still, I would prefer a virtual world without the little white racist trolls…I get enough of those in the real world!

This is true. However, my other reason for possibly boycotting is the influx of racists and idiots on here due to Disqus, which I suppose goes to your point about BP wanting to increase readership–or actually, clicks, as the more clicks, the more potential revenue is driven. Still, I would prefer a virtual world without the little white racist trolls…I get enough of those in the real world!

This is true. However, my other reason for possibly boycotting is the influx of racists and idiots on here due to Disqus, which I suppose goes to your point about BP wanting to increase readership–or actually, clicks, as the more clicks, the more potential revenue is driven. Still, I would prefer a virtual world without the little white racist trolls…I get enough of those in the real world!

This is true. However, my other reason for possibly boycotting is the influx of racists and idiots on here due to Disqus, which I suppose goes to your point about BP wanting to increase readership–or actually, clicks, as the more clicks, the more potential revenue is driven. Still, I would prefer a virtual world without the little white racist trolls…I get enough of those in the real world!

Kwanzaa is a phony holiday, and is nothing more than a feel good reason to spend money. A Black Xmas is not needed.

Kwanzaa is a phony holiday, and is nothing more than a feel good reason to spend money. A Black Xmas is not needed.

you have the option not to use the Disqus..i had it at first then i deleted to or took it off..then i just signed on with my blackplanet profile!…

My point is that Disqus is a single repository for many sites and many users outside of BP and BP affiliates. As a result, there are people who have infiltrated this site just to troll and not to add any value to the dialogue about black people.

My point is that Disqus is a single repository for many sites and many users outside of BP and BP affiliates. As a result, there are people who have infiltrated this site just to troll and not to add any value to the dialogue about black people.

Adisa is alright —so far!

We all know that there were blacks owning and trading slaves (and even capturing them). You just made me have a “no-s**t moment”. But that’s not even the point; blacks didn’t create Independence Day, Thanksgiving, or Columbus Day; whites did.

And that’s REALLY how it is.

Oh, you must be relatively new here! Prior to Disqus, there were MANY “racists and idiots” on this site so I can’t blame them for that. In fact, I haven’t run across any news site on the internet that doesn’t have their fair share of them posting their nonsense daily, although some do a much better job at filtering out the garbage, than others. But If you think about it, those racists not only increase the amount of views, but also tend to dbl and triple the amount of comments which I’m sure factors in when trying to sell ad space.

Oh, you must be relatively new here! Prior to Disqus, there were MANY “racists and idiots” on this site so I can’t blame them for that. In fact, I haven’t run across any news site on the internet that doesn’t have their fair share of them posting their nonsense daily, although some do a much better job at filtering out the garbage, than others. But If you think about it, those racists not only increase the amount of views, but also tend to dbl and triple the amount of comments which I’m sure factors in when trying to sell ad space.

Christmas is wack…there I SAID IT!

No, I’m not new here…I’ve been on for quite a while. It just seems that with the onset of Disqus, there has been a surge.

And yes, I already commented on how this influx creates potential revenue for sponsors and the sites.

There were never a just US in America,silly people!

There were never a just US in America,silly people!

There were never a just US in America,silly people!

There were never a just US in America,silly people!

Agree!

:)

There were Black slave owners,who bought slaves from white slave owners in an attempt to free their people(*most likely kins*!)
Surely wasnt like being a slave under europeans,least you forget.

There were Black slave owners,who bought slaves from white slave owners in an attempt to free their people(*most likely kins*!)
Surely wasnt like being a slave under europeans,least you forget.

Well of course Africans do not celebrate Kwanza,it started here in the States by a Black American who wanted some type of celebration of self.None complain about silly christmas which is an european pagan celebration anyway and a real opportunity to make money.

I don’t celebrate any of these holidays,but I do respect the principles of Kwanza more than the lies of christmas.

Well of course Africans do not celebrate Kwanza,it started here in the States by a Black American who wanted some type of celebration of self.None complain about silly christmas which is an european pagan celebration anyway and a real opportunity to make money.

I don’t celebrate any of these holidays,but I do respect the principles of Kwanza more than the lies of christmas.

Well of course Africans do not celebrate Kwanza,it started here in the States by a Black American who wanted some type of celebration of self.None complain about silly christmas which is an european pagan celebration anyway and a real opportunity to make money.

I don’t celebrate any of these holidays,but I do respect the principles of Kwanza more than the lies of christmas.

I dig what you are saying here,I am deeply for Soul/Spirituality myself….but I would rather Blacks jump off the christmas trail and if it leads to Kwanza to find their true self,then so be it!
One step at a time to reverse the mess cause by slavery…

You mention some great books here too,I wish more of our people would open their minds to reading about Ourstory

I dig what you are saying here,I am deeply for Soul/Spirituality myself….but I would rather Blacks jump off the christmas trail and if it leads to Kwanza to find their true self,then so be it!
One step at a time to reverse the mess cause by slavery…

You mention some great books here too,I wish more of our people would open their minds to reading about Ourstory

I dig what you are saying here,I am deeply for Soul/Spirituality myself….but I would rather Blacks jump off the christmas trail and if it leads to Kwanza to find their true self,then so be it!
One step at a time to reverse the mess cause by slavery…

You mention some great books here too,I wish more of our people would open their minds to reading about Ourstory

Sometimes we need the dialogue sis!

Sometimes we need the dialogue sis!

Sometimes we need the dialogue sis!

Ahhh your whittle heart is full of joy that some “other” agrees with you,only the weak latch on to racist idealogy…especially that which is christmas!

Yes,Kwanzaa is meaningful to many….respect it you closeminded bigot!

The slave masters totured,raped,whipped and killed slaves..yet we(*well not me*)still follow christmas!

The slave masters totured,raped,whipped and killed slaves..yet we(*well not me*)still follow christmas!

Simpleminds laugh at what they don’t understand,it’s a natural reaction from your kind!

Simpleminds laugh at what they don’t understand,it’s a natural reaction from your kind!

Simpleminds laugh at what they don’t understand,it’s a natural reaction from your kind!

So are you!

So are you!

So are you!

So are you!

So are you!

“but the thing I like about Kawanzaa is that it pays homage to the ancestors and actually gets the very young and old together talking about history, the past and asking questions. I think there is an educational value in it for the youth since so few seem to be interested, or have been expose to, a fair breath of African/Black global history as well as their own personal family history. It’s also a tradition that encourages families and communities to get together”

Ahhh,refreshing!I love your observation…but,you see some of these parents are too busy partying to teach their kids any values or his/herstory…heh,maybe they just love celebrating white everything!

I don’t celebrate kwanzaa but I don’t see a reason to attack it either, especially not from this article.

….if Kwanzaa is whack, then so is Christmas and Hanukkah (the Jewish response to the same type of BS) and every othe pagan holiday that we use as an excuse to throw away our hard earned money!!!

….if Kwanzaa is whack, then so is Christmas and Hanukkah (the Jewish response to the same type of BS) and every othe pagan holiday that we use as an excuse to throw away our hard earned money!!!

I’ve lived in black neighborhoods and never saw any Kwanzaa sales, decorations, or anything indicating that people celebrated Kwanzaa. I’ve never heard anyone– a stranger on the subway, for example– say “Yeah, I’m going to my aunt’s for Kwanzaa.” If people actually celebrated Kwanzaa, I might not feel like it’s such BS, but they don’t! The Swahili part really gets my goat, too. Most blacks in the US have nothing to do with Swahili. Great article:) I hope no one cries “racist!” at me for saying so.

I grew up in a predominately Caribbean neighborhood in Queens, NY. Mostly Haitians. It came as a surprise to me when I invited a female Jamaican friend to dine with me at one of the most prestigious Haitian restaurants in the area and her reply was…”what, no way, those Haitians do voodoo, I won’t eat there”. This gave me a rude awakening since this was a “conscious” rasta sista. I learned that this sentiment and generalization of Haitians was prevalent throughout the Caribbeans. My biological sister asked what I thought was an insightful question…how truly can a Caribbean love Afrika (from afar) if the obvious “afrikan” in their own backyard is despised?

I grew up in a Caribbean neighborhood in NYC and learned early that Haitians were stereotyped as voodoo practitioners and were despised by other folks from the Islands. Yet many of them claimed to love Afrika and their afrikan history, legacy and heritage. How does one love the African from afar, yet hate the obvious “African” in their own backyard? The statement “I hate Kwanzaa but love Africa” smacks of similar contradiction.

I think it’s too late! negroids are so “wrapped” up in this xmess mess, they can’t shake it! A negroid told me yesterday, he can’t wait until it starts snowing…to get her into the “xmess spirit”.

negroids are so enthusiastic about ‘white’ they WANT TO BE “WHITE”!!!!

How can they embrace Kwanzaa (Keeping White Anglo Nigga Zombies Asses Away) when they want to be like them???

I HAVE GIVEN UP ON NEGROIDS!

I think it’s too late! negroids are so “wrapped” up in this xmess mess, they can’t shake it! A negroid told me yesterday, he can’t wait until it starts snowing…to get her into the “xmess spirit”.

negroids are so enthusiastic about ‘white’ they WANT TO BE “WHITE”!!!!

How can they embrace Kwanzaa (Keeping White Anglo Nigga Zombies Asses Away) when they want to be like them???

I HAVE GIVEN UP ON NEGROIDS!

Realer words have scarcely been written. Plus someone who finally spells “wack” correctly.

Realer words have scarcely been written. Plus someone who finally spells “wack” correctly.

Realer words have scarcely been written. Plus someone who finally spells “wack” correctly.

Well from what I have learned, Kwanza was more so created for those that don’t have knowledge of the principles of Afrocentric perspectives and it’s about remembering them (it was created for the Black American). Remembering the seven principles of Kawaida (or the Nguzo Saba): Umoja – Unity, Kujichagulia – Self-determination, Ujima – collective work and responsibility, Ugamaa – cooperative economics, Nia – purpose, kuumba-creativity, imani -faith. It was also a part of the Seven Core Areas of Culture – social organization. It was a remembrance of how us, as Black Americans, can reconnect and promote social organization. What’s sad is that your article and findings represent the widespread disconnect, misunderstanding and miseducation of this concept and why it was developed. I also study Dr. John Henrik Clarke and Ivan Van Sertima. I think their work is evident to the fact that they would have probably supported these principles and this concept. #i’mjustsaying I think you should study your books and know a lil more about the purpose. smh

Well from what I have learned, Kwanza was more so created for those that don’t have knowledge of the principles of Afrocentric perspectives and it’s about remembering them (it was created for the Black American). Remembering the seven principles of Kawaida (or the Nguzo Saba): Umoja – Unity, Kujichagulia – Self-determination, Ujima – collective work and responsibility, Ugamaa – cooperative economics, Nia – purpose, kuumba-creativity, imani -faith. It was also a part of the Seven Core Areas of Culture – social organization. It was a remembrance of how us, as Black Americans, can reconnect and promote social organization. What’s sad is that your article and findings represent the widespread disconnect, misunderstanding and miseducation of this concept and why it was developed. I also study Dr. John Henrik Clarke and Ivan Van Sertima. I think their work is evident to the fact that they would have probably supported these principles and this concept. #i’mjustsaying I think you should study your books and know a lil more about the purpose. smh

#Pause how can you be an Agnostic Atheist? You can’t be both. I find no problem with the article. It is an opinion piece. He is expressing his feelings on Kwanzaa, a feeling that most people around me share.

#Pause how can you be an Agnostic Atheist? You can’t be both. I find no problem with the article. It is an opinion piece. He is expressing his feelings on Kwanzaa, a feeling that most people around me share.

#Pause how can you be an Agnostic Atheist? You can’t be both. I find no problem with the article. It is an opinion piece. He is expressing his feelings on Kwanzaa, a feeling that most people around me share.

#Pause how can you be an Agnostic Atheist? You can’t be both. I find no problem with the article. It is an opinion piece. He is expressing his feelings on Kwanzaa, a feeling that most people around me share.

Read about agnosticism online. I don’t have time to explain it to you, nor do I have the inclination. And yes, I realize it’s an opinion piece–and just like him, I have a right to express mine.

Have a great day!

Read about agnosticism online. I don’t have time to explain it to you, nor do I have the inclination. And yes, I realize it’s an opinion piece–and just like him, I have a right to express mine.

Have a great day!

I’ve heard the same ignorance too,our people are brainwashed/whitewashed

I’ve heard the same ignorance too,our people are brainwashed/whitewashed

I’ve heard the same ignorance too,our people are brainwashed/whitewashed

It’s not a conversation for your ears!

It’s not a conversation for your ears!

It’s not a conversation for your ears!

Any and everything can start with you!

Kwanzaa is the proof of the pudding – Kwanzaa be letting you know who’s who and what’s what and what’s whack when it comes to being black :) Newsone has been whack more times this year than Kwanzaa has been in all of its existence.

Kwanzaa is a time to come together and celebrate the harvest. It’s understandable for people to think that is whack, when if at no other time during the year, you didn’t work together with anyone, black or not, to build something.

I actually am with you, Adisa. At first, my feeling was “it’s better than nothing.” But I couldn’t shake 2 sticking points.

1. The use of the made-up Kiswahili, Arabic-influenced and other East African traditions when most (if not all) Africans in America are from West Africa. In fact, no one has produced any evidence that the Transatlantic Slave Trade penetrated beyond the West African coast. So, why not use Yoruba or Twi as a language of the holiday?

2. As I learn more about Karenga, his character becomes more questionable to me. I’m hearing conflicting stories, but enough to make me question.

Oh, and peace be upon Baba Clarke!

Is this all you can report ?

The internet allows whites to have the courage to say what they otherwise would not. Its just a digital version of the Klan. Those little cowards who wore mask to hide.

As usual, Black Culture is under attack by American pop culture!!!

I LOVE THIS…. Can I hit Like or +1 or “that’s what’s up” or someting?

M. Brooks
Oakland, CA

Ding…

It is quite obvious from reading this article that most folks including blacks have an incomplete understand and knowledge of African and African disaporic culture.

This article does more damage then good, It leaves many questions to be asked . What does it mean to be a Black Nationalist??? and why would you a so called concious person write such a derogatory article destroying the principles of Kwanzza??? Is it neccessary to character assisinate it’s founder Dr. Maulanda Karrenga when so many of our people suffer from self hate and inferiority complexes as explained by the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad??? The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan teaches our people to “do for self” “”accept your own and be yourself.” The 1st principle of Kwanzza is UNITY which means doing for self and developing a Nation of our own and UNITY encourages seperation and independence for our people. My misinformed Brother, AFRICAN EDUCATION is the KEY to being FREE in mind, body and soul, so many of our people have no clue about the history of the ORIGINAL MAN. From 1966 until today 2011/2012 what have we accomplished as Black people free of our colonial slave masters and their children control??? In closing, If we can conceive it, if we believe it we can achieve anything and nothing is impossible, just BE. You must understand that Our mind and soul is so poison with envy, self hatered and inferieority complexes we take wrong for right and right for wrong; we are like sheep. If you have not read the following books- PLEASE, PLEASE READ and STUDY MESSAGE TO THE BLACKMAN and OUR SAVIOUR HAS ARRIVED by the Most Hon. Elijah Muhammad. I believe you will see the real meaning of the KWANZZA Priciples as taught by the Messenger of GOD the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad his student the Hon. Min. Louis Farrakhan and all the Believers and Students of the Nation of Islam. My Brother just know this European/ white man:a people who robbed us of our name, culture, religion and complete education system will never teach us the truth about ourselves. “ACCEPT YOUR OWN, BE YOURSELF”

PEACE
Your Brother and Servant of GOD
Bro. James Jami” Muhammad
Jax Fla.

If anything the writer should have said christmas, easter, 4th of july and thanksgiving are WACK! Those are the main hoLIEdays that black folks have ZERO business celebrating….I assume we wouldn’t if we really knew what they were all about. BUT if the oppressor says his ice is colder, then so be it. Nothing else anyone can say to change that…..

carry on my people….

“Athiests are like c**kroaches? Much in the same way you Hispanics are??”

Crackin the freak up!!!! LMAO!!! Fire!

BINGO!

I concur!

Get em!

To me, there is no religion or holiday that is more or less authentic than another because they have all borrowed from each other and have changed over time as a result of where it is practiced and by whom. Take Santeria, for instance: it has elements of Catholicism and African polytheism. Is it not an authentic practice because it’s a hybrid?

Yeah…
They are scared of that inner power we hold,so they keep us under their spell!

Well said…it is a bit whack, and there is no denying that Karenga was a f*****g sellout, but to be honest the kwanzaa celebrations that I’ve been to over the years have been great fun…and it is nice to see black people celebrate Africa ….maybe it was some sort of FBI experiment who knows

Wonderful brief refutation!

You can still love Africa and not celebrate Kwanzaa if you want to. This article is lame, tho.

“…hardcore revolutionary types you might find at the Berkeley flea market selling incense and shea butter soap (which they might consider using on themselves)…”

This statement right here tells me you dont know anything about the Berkeley Flea Market. You got your stereotypes all mixed up here. Your time periods too.

I’m just saying.

In 1967-68, I was assigned to Ft. Holabird, Dundalk, MD, for training in the USArmy’s Domestic Intel Program. I saw Karenga and knew his name. He was in a different part of the USArmy’s Domestic Intel School. He was working the feds. He was working on domestic intel. He may have been part of other domestic intel programs as well. I don’t know. What I do know is that he was a mole for the Army’s domestic intel program during that time, and I wouldn’t believe a word he has ever said.

FIRE Adisa Banjoko! FIRE Adisa Banjoko! FIRE Adisa Banjoko! FIRE Adisa Banjoko!

I am Nigerian, therefore, I am African. I wholeheartedly agree with this article. Kwanzaa is wack, fake, ignorant, and an all-around annoying holiday. Why? BECAUSE NO AFRICANS CELEBRATE THIS HOLIDAY. None. Nada. Zip. I can’t tell you how many people, both Black and White, who I’ve had to educate about how Kwanzaa has NOTHING to do with ANY African cultures, both those that existed in the past, or those that exist now.

In response to Latricia Roe, the huge problem with Kwanzaa, is that it is seen as an “African Holiday,” which it most definitely is not. If it were simply an occasion to remember Afrocentric principles/perspectives, fine. But the majority of people who know about it are under the impression that somewhere on the mother continent, in December, there are Africans celebrating this holiday…which there absolutely are not.

Oh, for cryin’ out loud. “Corn” in the bible refers to grains grown on the African continent. If you don’t like using New World corn (maize), pick out some Old World corn.

But that’s just if you think it’s important to give African-American families some version of Kwanzaa. If you really don’t like the idea, you don’t have to celebrate it. You can pick out something that feels more authentic to you, or make up something of your own, or blow the whole thing off.

But getting hung up on the geographic origin of corn, and whether the Kwanzaa originator knew what he was doing (botanically speaking), seems pretty small.

Not fair, BlackLolita. The internet is open to all. You can ignore her if you don’t want her input.

You can’t stop her from listening or looking unless you want to set up segregated websites which require passwords to get in — from members whose race you have verified — doesn’t sound so good, does it?

Do you have a gift-giving celebration in December?

New Year’s Eve is kinda nice. That’s when we exchange gifts at our house.

Kwanzaa was never said to be AFRICAN. It’s AFRICAN AMERICAN. C’mon now. My question is How is it benefitting you to hate on Kwanzaa a CULTURAL not RELIGIOUS holiday. Never once did you reference the principles that Kwanzaa is based on. Yours is such a superficial critique. I guess UNITY, SELF-DETERMINATION, COLLECTIVE WORK & RESPONSIBILITY, COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS, CREATIVITY, PURPOSE, AND FAITH are WACK huh?

Naw, YOU are WACK for undermining a cultural holiday that is uplifting, positive, and powerful for people of African descent to examine where they’ve been, where they are, and where they’re going. I have to wonder who you work for…..FBI maybe???

Please people DON’T BE DELUDED BY WEAPONS OF MASS DISTRACTION.

I would say then don’t celebrate what you don’t understand. Who is Santa Claus? You would rather tell the little ones its a lie! Corn is American and we are African-Americans by way of our ancestors being hauled here packed in ships. One-hundred years of outright slavery and a hundred years more of Jim Crow slavery left open a door for some brother some where some how to relate to black Americans a love and pride of being an African descendant thats American with out being defined by white America. That’s a celebration in itself and no one shouts look at us. Kwanzaa’s seven principals and the education of the young people is a purpose and foundation.

Ya know, getting caught in the particulars is exactly why so many people miss the spirit of each holiday and its general purpose. For centuries, people have celebrated the birth of the Christ thinking it’s literally on December 25th – those unaware can learn about the Council of Nicea- while others really think Easter’s about some bunny rabbits that lay eggs; and let’s not get into America’s sanitized view of Thanksgiving, or any other holiday for that matter.

While I agree that Kwanzaa won’t make you any less or more African, I have to say that at its heart lies some basic concepts that I think can be found throughout the continent that many can identify with. If not, we can always tweak it to suit our beliefs when necessary. The problem arises when we try to make claims as to “authenticity”, much like this article.

^Clearly doesn’t know what a Puerto Rican is. Of course, most Puerto Ricans don’t really know what they are either, but that’s white supremacy for you.

Just fyi, Puerto Ricans are an ethnic group of people with African, European(usually Spanish or Italian), and Native American heritage. Much of Puerto Rican culture is inspired and directly influenced by its African sensibilities.

Keep your eye on the prize for God’s sake. Kwanza is a creation of the FBI and the USArmy’s domestic intel branch. It was a sideshow that the murderous betrayer Ron Karenga helped to get into operation by his tactic run by his puppet masters. I am not interested in any religion, new, old, used or abused. They are all myths made by man. Karenga and his thugs created US. US went to war with the Panthers and killed many African-American freedom fighters. That’s the point of this discussion. The holiday was part of many tools used by the whiteman to kill us with the help of some of our people who betrayed us.

Thankgiving (Slaughtering Natives), Christmas (Saturnalia- Human Sacrifice), Easter (the bunny) are all lies. Let’s see the real histories of these european pagan holidays that have brought people down a path of lies and filth. REPORT ON THAT, Newsone and quit letting these IMPOSTORS come in and spread their Filth.

FYI, I already know that many Puerto Ricans have African Ancestry (and Native), and I also am aware that they are an ethnic group, just as Hispanic/Latino is not a race, but are cultures. And still, having had been a loan officer for several years, I DO know that most Hispanics and Latinos, upon being asked what race AND ethnicity they are, only put down that they are white and NOT hispanic. Very telling.

Christmas is fake and I’ll bet all you that’s saying Kwanzaa is fake is some back-slidding, w***e-mongering, fake jesus believing idiots. You’ll believe anything that your massa tell ya to believe. Your ancestors believed in a white god, one that never existed but today you ignorant negroes are getting drunk, and praising your bastard baby jesus cause grandma did it, fools again!!!

You think kwanza is wack? At least it means something unlike some stupid Fat german in a red suit named Sinter Klause. Look if you don’t like Kwanza then you should come up with an alternative if not then you’re just yacking disrespectfully. Oh boy this generation these days self and culture respect. They think it’s funny disparage our efforts on the ‘public stage’. Doesn’t he know the public will follow hise lead. When other cultures witness a black person disprect his own elders or culture then it gives them ‘card blanche’ to do the same. This is called Culture sabotage. Adisa go to the devil. And leave your blackness at the door you don’t deserve it.

You think kwanza is wack? At least it means something unlike some stupid Fat german in a red suit named Sinter Klause. Look if you don’t like Kwanza then you should come up with an alternative if not then you’re just yacking disrespectfully. Oh boy this generation these days self and culture respect. They think it’s funny disparage our efforts on the ‘public stage’. Doesn’t he know the public will follow hise lead. When other cultures witness a black person disprect his own elders or culture then it gives them ‘card blanche’ to do the same. This is called Culture sabotage. Adisa go to the devil. And leave your blackness at the door you don’t deserve it.

Um, I hope your comment was meant just for Adisa, the author of this article, and that you just happen to put it under my original posts (which actually is a criticism of his opinion).

When you know better,you do better:)

Not sure what you are talking about here,she did mention living in Black neighborhoods and how she had never seen a Black person buying items to celebrate Kwanzaa or heard it being talked about.

The internet is open to all,but some people have no business butting their rude heads where it doesn’t concern them!Did you say seperated website?…hmmmm.

Life isn’t fair,yet we are strong enough to survive all the pitfalls,she will be ok.

It’s fine to celebrate your culture, but it is a shame to celebrate the fake holiday created by a sexual sadist such as Ronald Everett. Racism, sexual abuse, and violence are poor choices for icons.

You forgot to mention that Kwanzaa (first celebrated in 1966) and the Symbionese Liberation Army share the same principles.

You’re a fool and ill-informed!! Kwanzaa is African-American. Idiot!!!

Seahag12, the point of the article “is” how insulting kwanzaa is to intelligent people of African decent.

I known this is an opinion piece, so here’s my opinion. Even though the writer says Kwanzaa is not useful to him because he already knows his black heritage does he spread his knowledge? Because Kwanzaa celebrates the history and helping to uplift? does he uplift other African-americans with his knowledge of self? That’s my question. And if he does he still should not call it wack, give respect to something that has a positive message do not degrade it. African-Americans must share their knowledge and teach each other. Selfishness does not aid anyone not even yourself. Spread your knowledge. Follow:@91WriterzStatus

Please! Most of you bums doing all the criticizing are nothing but white termites that have no real positive concern with the issues or opinions of Black Americans. This is a well prepared article. I am especially glad the author provided links to EXTREMELY IMPORTANT and brilliant PEOPLE like Dr. John Henrik Clarke, Dr. Ivan VanSertima and Runoko Rashidi.

My only question is:

How was it ascertained that Ron Karenga was an FBI informant. During the years when Dr. Karenga was most active, it was part of the COINTELPRO to generate division and hate among various black revolutionaries by planting false stories, forging threatening doc**ents, and using every dirty trick to cause distrust among black leaders/organizations.

I’m not sure what your criticism of my post is. My problems were actually two: one being that the author attacked Kwanza in such a sardonic and disrespectful way, when there are many who would criticise his own adopted religion, Islam.

My other comment was really related to my consideration of boycotting NewsOne, and that was the fact that there were a lot of white trolls on this site. So how is it that you thought it was necessary to call me a “white termite”? (LOL, pretty funny, I have to say, because I’m black).

I am sorry if I mis labeled you. Forgive me. We are actually on the same page about Kwanzaa. I don’t think anyone should criticize Islam. Again, I’m sorry.

APOLOGY is accepted (BTW: never say “sorry”. That word means being “pitiable” or “wretched”!). We are not going to agree on everything–especially religion, but I’m not the enemy!

Thanks for the edit!

Christmas Is Whack:There I Said It!!!!

Well, so is religion. What else is new?

YOU is Whack, you Chicken Head Nigga!!!! There, I said it… You’re just like Kwame Kirkpatrick. A CROOK on NewsOne trying to brainwash black people. Your BS don’t work on Puerto Ricans homie… LOL!!!!

If the author doesn’t chose to celebrate Kwanzaa then why waste time trying to degrade those who do?

It’s good that we have a few tradtions that uplift and give us a sense of culture and refinement.

I don’t see any harm in those who do celebrate Kwanzaa.

agreed.

This article is very insulting and unnecessary.

Agree 100%.

You are a White man trying to cause rift between Blacks and Latinos

You are a White man trying to cause rift between Blacks and Latinos

You are a White man trying to cause rift between Blacks and Latinos

Its a nigga holiday of course it’s bull s**t.

B***h ass nigga u mad cuz u got no family or anybody to care about u.

Was poppin u spic monkey nig. Ill make ur imaginary b***h Ronisha suck my dick while I take a s**t on the toilet

This is why I hate the internet and its trolls. Just shut this stupid topic down, and delete it from the universe, along with the nutballs and nimrods who have nothing to say but ignorant and hateful and useless crap. Get a life.

Geez, some of yall do just like white people you complain about. Can you insult or disagree with the man without bringing up his race. I have worked for the census and IRS and they always select hispanic and non white that I have seen not that it matters.

I wonder if he knows the histories of some of the other religions we celebrate. I don’t celebrate it, but I wonder if he celebrates some of the other ones without thinking about where they came from and how silly their origin is.

I’ve been called many things, but never an Anglo-Saxon. Let me clue you in on something toots, I’m 1/2 “Black”, 1/4 Arab and 1/4 Berber. Just thought you ‘d like to know. Oh and as far as that rift you’re talking about, its already there. You might need to do some research about the amount of racism and hate that’s directed to people of African decent from the Latins. Don’t believe that their in solidarity with us. Some of them are cool, but a broken clock is right at least once a day. I get tired of reading that spick’s bullsht posts that are directed towards us

What did he get served? Beans and rice? Smitty isn’t wrong in his assessment of Khristmas. All you have to do is your own research and you’ll figure it out. Besides, Khristianity was a religion that was forced on ‘Blacks” by their Angl0-Saxon and Latin masters. Most of the slaves were Muslims when they made the crossing and if you look hard enough, and talk to family elders, you’ll see remnants of Islamic culture there.

Thank you for saying it! I agree!!

It is wack!!! Therefore I said it myself!!!
Christmas is wack!!! I said that as well!!!
The so called Christian religion is wack!!!
All organized religions are wack!!!
IT IS ALL WACK!!!
And I could care less what the next man or woman opinions are as well!!!

The commercialization of Christmas which is about money not religion and the typical brainwash that “bigger more expensive presents means MORE LOVE” is SUPER whacky & tacky! Unfortunately, many adults NEVER grow up from this phoney brainwash. Using this construct, the poorer among us can never show the “love” the richer can.

If big presents REALLY meant something, that 4 million dollar diamond rings that Kobe bought his wife after cheating with that prostitute, should have lasted a lifetime! lol

I am especially glad the author provided links to EXTREMELY IMPORTANT and brilliant PEOPLE like Dr. John Henrik Clarke, Dr. Ivan VanSertima and Runoko Rashidi.

I don’t share the opinion of Kwanzaa as whack….it is possibly the best we have until something better comes along. The author’s opinion about Kwanzaa seems very related to his opinion about Dr. Ron Karenga.

My only question is:

How did the author ascertain that Ron Karenga was an FBI informant? During the years when Dr. Karenga was most active, it was part of the COINTELPRO to generate division and hate among various black revolutionaries by planting false stories, forging threatening doc**ents, and using every dirty trick to cause distrust among black leaders/organizations. Dr. Ron Karenga started the US organization. The Black Panthers and US were once friendly until the FBI caused the divisions, which is why I question the Karenga informant theory.

THIS PIECE IS DIRECT FROM WIKIPEDIA:

During the 1960s, Us became a target of the FBI COINTELPRO and was put on a series of lists describing it as dangerous, revolutionary and committed to armed struggle in the Black Power Movement. Us developed a youth component with para-military aspects called the Simba Wachanga which advocated and practiced community self-defense and service to the masses.

Similar to the Black Panthers in their claim to be a revolutionary vanguard, Us at first cooperated with the Panthers and other community groups in Black United Front efforts. However, there evolved ideological differences that the FBI through its COINTELPRO began to increase and aggravate, leading to physical conflicts. Tactics used to foment and aggravate conflict between Us and the Panthers included poison-pen letters, defamatory cartoons, agents provocateurs, and creating suspicion of members of each organization as agents.

This heightened level of conflict eventually led to a shoot-out at UCLA in 1969 in which two Panthers were killed and a Simba was shot in the back. Community efforts to resolve the conflict, both before and after the shooting, were conducted by the Black Congress of Los Angeles, but were unsuccessful. The FBI and local police used this state of things to further suppress both groups driving Us members and Panthers underground and in exile and putting them in prison under questionable circ**stances. As noted above, Karenga argues that he was a victim of these tactics and that his imprisonment was political. Other scholars have raised similar questions.

wow black people cant have anything, not ONLY because of white people, but black people like this. it’s understandable that you don’t like kwanzaa but don’t make other black people feel ashamed of celebrating something that is about getting away from the materialism of the alternative holiday. our identities where taken from us when they brought us to this country and basically forced us to forget our holidays and customs in order to pick up Christianity ( i believe in Christianity by the way but it’s the truth). Kwanzaa may be flimsy when it comes to some facts and i don’t think it’s based on a religion but it’s a good way for black people to sort of put all African cultures in one so we all can have something to celebrate from the motherland. My suggestion is for us to start celebrating Kwanzaa AND Christmas.

Sharise,

Nice of you to jump in the middle of an argument between Carl C and me, but that is just it–you’re jumping in the middle. Unless you have been following Carl’s crazy and often offensive posts and the exchange that he and I have had over the past several weeks (not just this post), please stay out of it.

BTW: Your respondents to the IRS and Census may have had more clarification. However, speaking FROM MY experience—having been a loan officer and asking the question of race and ethnic group–AND explaining the difference to ensure that Latino groups would qualify for CRA credit on their loans, I had an overwhelming response from Hispanics/Latinos who would select Caucasian for race and Hispanic for ethnic group.

this was the first draft huh? I’ll come back when the typos have been corrected

Kwanzaa focuses on Black American culture so you being Nigerian, will not relate to our struggles here in America. Instead of critsizing black Americans for trying to reconnect with our roots maybe you should focus on your own country because many African Countries have lost all sense of culture and are being ruled by Dutch, Belgin, British, French, Arab countries so you all are in no position to think you are above Black Americans.

How can anyone believe in the man-made GREED holiday named Christmas, yet reject Kwanzaa a holiday that helps us to improve our personal selves and our communities is baffling . But to each his/ her own. Some Black folks have Stockholm Syndrome and will always reject and hate anything positive about Black people. How unfortunate for them.

I was big into The Panthers. I read, back in the early 90s’, how this dude used to create conflict with Bunchy Carter, and John Huggins in L.A., nd how they were subsequently set up and killed by the FBI. My mother tried to put this “Kwanzaa” bulljive down in her house, until I sat her down and gave her the grapes.
You will know the tree by it’s fruits. A punk ass, sellout ass snitch can NEVER create anything righteous. Kwanzaa is wack, and it’s good to see us acknowldge that.

Mr. snitch is the Founder. Christ wasn’t born on the 25th. Kwanzaa is an American ethnic tradition, and while corn has been used in Africa since the 15th century, you’re right-it’s not native to the continent.
You can love Africa and not have Kwanzaa. You can be a Black nationalist and not have Kwanzaa, but if you did the research, you know it’s not about “going back” it’s about being proud of where you have originated and of where you were born.

She seems to be writing this from the perspective that Kwanzaa is supposed to be a reconnection to the “motherland”…and she’s wrong. True enough, the values taught are values that were exemplified by African peoples, but the holiday is to help promote an African American culture that is conducive to progress and prosperity…hence the corn (which is only symbolic of the children and the harvest…not a region specific harvest). Dr. Karenga’s past has nothing to do with the celebration of the holiday…that lies within each family that chooses to do such. It’s alright to think it’s whack…and I do believe whack is spelled with an “h”…but think it’s whack from a better informed standpoint.

Sure. Let’s go with that…

can you be any more shallow just asking?

I liked the article and I think too many times what ones perception of culture is forced on other people just because. You only live your life once and should be able to enjoy it the way you seem fit as long as it doesn’t break societies world.

Thank you for your article. It shared information that I was not aware of and it has prompted me to do more research into both Kwanzaa and Dr. Karenga.

Do you include yourself among that readership? I’ve come across many of not-so sophisticated and not so “terribly” informative articles that you yourself have participated in, and in turn have done that very thing that you now accuse others of doing: decrying Newsone and their material. So much so, that you have at times, attempted to hijack a Newsone article/OP, by bringing in other articles that have nothing to do with the article.

This very OP is anything but sophisticated and/or informative—terribly or otherwise, and yet you are here.

This is in reply to KhalidX. I totally agree. However, it’s still not courage.

I DON’T include myself in that “readership.”I won’t deny that I have ONCE tried to get the the bloggers here to step their game up by requesting in an improvement or at least some balance in the stories being posted. After those attempts made by myself and hundreds others for at least a year, had pretty much fallen on deaf ears, I concluded that this is the business model those at NewsOne are fully and gladly embracing. I was simply trying to let the young lady know, that there have been many before her that have made these same suggestions in vain.

How else am I to know whether an OP is informative or not? Is it possible to do so WITHOUT reading it? I never once said that there is NEVER an informative article posted here, my issue has been with the balance!

I think the authoer’s characterization of Kwanzaa is more insulting to intelligent people period, regardless of descent.

Listen inbred. The only thing that Kwanzaa is remotely similar to is the lighting of the kinara (Swahili) and menorah (so-called jew).

And if it is all of that in accordance to you: half-assed, wannabe, bootleg—a bit redundant?—Hanukkah, then why do you care? White people have always put out quarter-assed, wannabe-bottleg-knockoff—I can be redundant as well, crap that Black people have originated.

I always wonder when Blacks go on and on about loving Africa, but then do nothing to help the people of Africa. The percentage of aid workers, volunteers, missionaries, etc., serving on the African continent are sorely lacking Blacks. Why? What are the American Black churches doing for Africa? How many Blacks of means have traveled back to the Motherland? Kwanzaa a holiday? For whom?

What are Africans doing to help themselves?

I see large numbers of Africans attending college in the States yet they rarely go back to their own countries to help.

Black people in America aren’t in a position to help Africans when many of us are suffering from the same conditions.

FYI: Kwanzaa is a holiday for Black Americans.

You have a great eye, Brother. Keep doing what you do!

Say whuuuut?

Like how you lay the truth down, Bro. German. It’s not about Karenga, it’s about celebrating “us” and unless we find something to take it’s place and Newsone hires better informed posters than Mr. Adisa I will support the idea of celebrating black people for a change w/o apology!

Why is it sooo easy to attack something that dares to celebrate only black people without being tied to religions/traditions that are dominated by other folks? Only person wack is the one who wrote the post! Blacks want to celebrate the rainbow coalition yet can’t seem to bring themselves to celebrate unapologetically their own culture, image, community. And we wonder why we don’t get respect no matter what we do as individuals! People always judge you by the family you come from and how it treats its members. When we stand in our truth as the first great peoples of the earth and stop pretending whites did us a favor by enslaving us, many of our internal troubles will finally vanish! Respect begins with loving the mirror image of self.

WOW really. And Christmas is really Jesus’s birthday. Or an Hannukah was made up too. So let me get this straight, according to the article we should not celebrate or have some respect for this period created for us because of the author of this article thinks it’s whack or wack . OK Ill admit i’m not one who actively participates in the Kwanzaa events but I respect the hell out of the intent and enjoy watching my people and their ideas surrounding the period. Maybe if you took time to get out of your own self rightfulness phony blacker and more intelligent than most of us head you will see that major point. Just because you don’t like it why ruin it for others especially if its not causing any harm? Also as for the FBI thing , you self righteous people kill me being so quick to blame yet evoke the youth to stop the “Stop Snitching.” Here’s a tip go change your name back to Jeff or whatever your parents named u. OK maybe they did give your current name but stop being such a elitest a-hole wanna-be. Its people like you that good inner city reject a lot of valuable AFRICAN and historical AFRICAN AMERICAN history and information. Point blank GET OVER YOUR DAMN SELF AND THAT PHONY KNOW IT ALL EGO. OUR black world according to this guy GTFOH brah!!!!!!!!

hilarious! every damn holiday in this country is made up, and no one questions it. black people are so lost and commentary like this–though necessary for an exchange that MAY enlighten some–continues to take us back. we don’t believe in anything that WE create. and how strange is that, when we created every damn thing???? it would be good to find one medium with well-intentioned exchanges between higher-thinking blacks intended to move people of color forward socially, spiritually and economically.

FYI–the following things are whack–

Jesus could never have been born in December
Every liquor store in black neighborhoods are owned by none-blacks, and rarely hire blacks
Education reform is pushing black teachers out the door, increasing the likelihood that our children will continue to grow into one-dimensional adults who have no clue how beautiful the black experience is
Nail saloons are Asian owned and survive on black dollars alone…rarely hiring black people
In this country, there was erected a Holocaust museum and memorial before a slave museum/memorial
More sistas have weaves that simulate white woman hair than black hair
Our schools teach to the standards of no child left behind, a made-up, bulls**t, unattainable goal that make black kids look inferior
Every damn song on the radio is about sex and substance abuse. OUR BABIES KNOW THE WORDS!
The highest rated black shows on television depict sisters as evil, self-hating, violent b***hes who court volatility

There are many, many more. Kwanzaa promotes unity, self sufficiency and other qualities our people are lacking. get a grip!

Christmas is wack: We go into debt (Bible says “Own no man”) using credit cards (violating the biblical law against usury, the charging or paying of interest) to buy extravagent gifts to honor a man who lived a life of poverty and his early disciples who took a vow to do the same.

and that’ll be that! there, i said it!

“it would be good to find one medium with well-intentioned exchanges between higher-thinking blacks intended to move people of color forward socially, spiritually and economically”

Ha…Really…dude whatever that medium is it sure as hell ain’t the internet. I agree with you in that regard and if you find please send me a postcard, some coordinates, or some instructions so I can go there too.

This whole comment site is WHACK!…Yet we keep coming back…so what does that say about any of us??

No, I don’t follow most of the times I don’t read most of posts. I just noticed it was racial and not at him specifically. I didn’t know yall had some whatever going on………..

M’kay, so now you know.

one of the best responses I’ve heard yet. Good to see another brother with his head on right. I am proud that the majority of us who come on here still know what time it is!

yeah, AD. as a dad, and a black man, i can barely sleep at night thinking about how complex this black experience is. WE’VE BEEN HAD, but the game was played so well that now we are doing the s**t to ourselves. EVERYWHERE! to even use the word WHACK to describe any effort any black person executes towards making us better is…well…WHACK.

You made a good point about most black americans not being a position to help Africans. I wish I could do more myself. I also understand that “charity starts at home”, and maybe that is what the Africans who stay in the States are doing. I know many foreigners work in countries like the US and send money back home.

I don’t think that Africans don’t give a damn about black Americans out of spite or malevolence. I just think that they, like us, are in no position to help or think beyond their own circ**stances. Basically, everyone is trying to get theirs.

It’s like my great-uncle once told me, “Times are tough. It’s big niggas eatin’ little niggas.” LOL…I love that man!

What an unlikely avatar for a In context, though similar, those words aren’t repetitive in the least. So, take your Black Power BS & run along.

Happy New Year to you, too…Mr. Malt Liquor.

Im literally standing and applauding you on this one bruh. Like I started to send a civilized ‘F**k You’ to the writer, but you left me with no need. I love that you said “Kwanzaa promotes unity, self sufficiency and other qualities our people are lacking. get a grip!” and “we don’t believe in anything that WE create. and how strange is that, when we created every damn thing???? “. I mean that says it all. Everything else in between was richer than crude oil as well. I’d like to add the question to why didnt speak on how whack and utterly retarded it is for Blacks to celebrate the 4th of July when America gained its free market independence to be able to deal with their slaves as they please and reap the benefits of all the labor and profits themselves without having to cut Britain a check. And we out barbecuing better than anybody, lighting up all the fireworks. Or Thanksgiving that marks the anniversary of a deceptive battle strategy of a dinner that we were the cooks, and servers at the gathering, but damn sure not as a catering company! Or why we’re putting up the biggest debate in the “Put Christ back in Christmas” campaign although its really a celebration of Horus, the son of Osiris and Isis. So I guess whats really whack is after reading all that great knowledge from Dr. Clarke,Dr. Ivan VanSertima and Runoko Rashidi he wound up on the same ole attack Black rampage Bill O’Reilly.

Exactly! Your post is almost identical to an explanation I shared online with someone the other day who, like Mr. Banjoko, had his so-called “facts” wrong! Many thanks to those like you and I, Mr. German Dog 21 (?), who can provide readers with accurate information!

Peace & Love,
Tuere

Thanks for this well stated response to the writer. Very happy that you mentioned COINTELPRO. Dr. Karenga is one the great scholars of our time. I celebrate Kwanzaa and try to live by those principles.

Seahag12,

Reading is fundamental. “Of course, most Puerto Ricans don’t really know what they are either, but that’s white supremacy for you.”

Read that line again and see why several paragraphs was a waste of time.

Yes, I read. To be frank, I would hope you realized that by posting what I did, it showed you that I am aware of hispanic culture and understand to an extent the influence of African culture. While I may not be as versed as you are, I still am aware of the hispanic/latino culture. I ALSO realize that Carl C goes back and forth and has insulted black people as a group, which indicates his sense of seperation. Carl C only identifies when it suits him.

You don’t need to school me on Black American culture or any other one for that matter. If I want to know more about Latino/Hispanic culture, I’ll ask my cousins who are part Puerto Rican or take another course at the local university. Frankly, I find your posts to be condescending.

With all due respect Seahag12, I could care less about you attacking Carl C, and didn’t take any issue with you attacking him- since I’m skeptical myself. My points were toward fairly common misconceptions about Puerto Rican identity, and as a person who shares that heritage I have a right to educate those I want when that knowledge seems lacking, especially given your claims about cultural influences and how we allegedly perceive Blackness. Carl C is the Uncle Ruckus of Boricuas; nothing more, nothing less, and there are many more like him. So have at him.

Providing something as an alternative that is culturally specific, does not constitute as copying.

You spout off on alot of things and do not have a clue. And various cultures in West Africa, and all over Africa period DO have such a celebration. Are you saying that these cultures didn’t celebrate the harvest and moments of reflection of the year’s past and the upcoming year? They may not called it ‘Kwanzaa’, but the concept existed all the same. It’s no surprise that your cousins from Mauritania never heard of Matunda ya Kwanzaa—-first fruits, because it’s Swahili and is spoken in East and Central Africa. Swahili is the defacto language of Pan-Africanism.

I don’t know how much money if any that Dr. Karenga is making off of Kwanzaa copyrights. But if he is…GREAT!!! And I mean that. It’s quite a novel concept that for a change, a Black person profits from his/her creation, as opposed to white people, who often profit from Black people’s inventions, while leaving the brother/sister destitute. Tell me that you don’t really think that Old Southern Kentucky Col. Sanders was actually doing his OWN cooking/fried chicken and thereby “developed” or INVENTED the 11 herbs and spices?

Or that Coca-Cola, was INVENTED by white people as opposed to an ol’ conjure women, who used the cola nut that is NATIVE to Africa, and mixed it with the coca plant to create a medicinal elixer for the slaves? I could go on.

Since you are questioning as to how much Karenga has potentially profitted from creation of Kwanzaa, why have you not bothered to inquire as to how many and how much white people are making off Kwanzaa?

I certainly hope that Karenga did in fact had Kwanzaa copyrighted. If he hadn’t of done it, then someone else would have—likely a white person, and naturally, they would be profiting; and thereby rendering the whole concept of Kwanzaa moot. There’s a story of how on a college campus, where there was a Black Student Union, and some racist white college students who had nothing better to do to occupy their time, decided to join BSU enmasse with the intention of overwhelming the membership to where they could vote in white people at all the leadership posts, and then set the organizational agenda—which would be non-Black in orientation, and effectually, render BSU useless. Then they can claim that they are not racist, because they are “members” of BSU, but I digress.

Whatever. You’re an interloping peckerwood. You’ve given yourself away, more times I care to count.

Not sure what affirmative action has to do with Kwanzaa. Not in the least. But I gues syou had to throw out some buzzword no matter how inane, to whatever point that you were trying to make.

Despite your claim, Kwanzaa IS an African holiday. It is an African-American holiday, which makes it an AFRICAN holiday. It is a holiday created by AFRICANS… in America, for AFRICANS… in Diaspora. Kwanzaa is not solely an African or African American holiday, but rather a PAN-AFRICAN holiday.

I tell you what SISTA from da muthaland… Kwanzaa is more African and has more to do with the mother continant, than what X-mas does, and I have the distinct imrpession that you wholeheartedly celebrate the latter.

Sista you are wrong on alot of fronts. Kwanzaa is not based on Black American culture, it is based on Pan- African culture. The struggles here for Black people in America, Black people in Africa were subjected to as well.

Swahili is NOT spoken by the Zulu people. The Zulus have their own language. Swhaili is the languange that is spoken in East Africa, primarily in Kenya, and Tanzania. SDwahikli is the defacto language of Pan-Africanism.

How is Ki-Swahili made up? It is an actual language.

Yes fool, most Africans in America ARE from West Africa. But the struggle against white supremacy and oppression is not and was not limited to Africans in America or Africans from West Africa, but rather Africans on the Mother Land and in Diaspora. You ask why not use Yoruba or Twi…? Because the question then would follow is, why use Yourba over Twi, or why use Twi over Fon, or why use Fon over Fulani, or why use Fulani over Mandinka, or why use Mandinka over Wolof?

Swahili was chosen although it is of East African in origin, it is the most widely spoken indigenous African language in Africa. Swahili is based upon the orignal Bantu language, from which all African languages originated from. Swahili is one of the easier African languages to learn. Therefore, Swahili has become the defacto language of Pan- Africanism. Pan-Africanism is not limited to East Africa, West Africa, or to America, but to all Africans, hence its name : PAN-AFRICAN.

Not sure why it gets your goat, when it has nothing to do with you. Most Black people in the US, have nothing to do with the Ashanti, Fon, Mandinka, Twi, Yoruba, Hausa, Ibo, Wolof, etc. But THAT is exactly the reason why we have Kwanzaa. You answered your own question.

Didn’t realize that it took courage to express ignorance and foolishness.

Actually it’s “couldn’t care less” because if you could care less, you would.

And it seems as though you’re missing the main point again, so I won’t continue this exchange with you. I’ll post whatever I want because, like you, I have that right.

It’s not irrelevant to point out an obvious error, Seahag12, so your point fails again. It might be considered a deflection if such is used as a rebuttal in an argument – or a sign of being a grammar nazi, of which I am also guilty- but it’s only irrelevant to those who fail to appreciate the info’s importance. I actually enjoyed your spout with Carl C, so I do implore you to continue.

Salute brotha’. You deserve it for that MASSIVE post. Hotep

Lol

Please dont respond to the lame

I don’t need a pass from you, dear heart.

I don’t need a pass from you, dear heart.

Keep the faith, bruh. Brothers (and sisters) like you remind us all that we’re not alone and that there are large numbers of us who still know what time it really is in America and around the world and want change. You and your loved ones stay strong and well!

there are soooo many articles in the media/blogashere written exactly like this one. doing an endrun around bashing kwanzaa. oblique attacks. not mona charen direct attacks, by black writers. frankly i am tired of it. its pretty obvious white folks are behind it. i have never seen of a celebration so covertly attacked like kwanzaa. its time to take a stand. we need to start using kwanzaa as a time to launch year round events.

“I love almost everything African (aside from the tribal fighting and the needless murder and rape of women across the continent). ”

As different from the murder and rape of women (taking place across the continent of Africa) which is neccesary rather than needless?

So you said it, and many that wanted to say it didn’t. They call them cowards or as my grandmother used to say “if you don’t have something kind to say keep your mouth shut”. And many of them keep celebrating Xmas like good little slave folks are supposed to. I knew Ron when he was with the US organization before he changed his name to Mualana. But somewhere in all that snitching and getting a PHDing and the guilt he had to carry around with him every day, the peeping over his shoulders. He did more the the Xmas celebrators have done. He took the clout he had gained and tried to repent by developing what he thought would be an alternative to raising our kids to believe that a white man in a red suit was going to bring them toys that their daddies couldn’t. He didn’t steal a celebration from Africa, he never said it was authentic, he took what he knew about celebrations and developed what he thought would be a reasonable alternative. And maybe corn was easier to obtain than some of those tubbers and goiters that they have in the mother-land. So you said it, or maybe you shouldn’t, but next time take my grandmothers advice “if you don’t have something nice to say, keep your mouth shut”. We have enough critics in white folks, we don’t need you helping them. And that was nice.