That you wanted to remind people of something that most people who celebrate Kwanzaa know already (That it was a made-up holiday), that’s perfectly alright with me. It’s even good.

Now, for you to condemn inherently African values as being pure Communism, I do not see your point. First of all, just because there might be some similarities between these values and Communist principles, does’t make them less African. If you follow the cultural practices of most Bantu/Mandinka people, you will find that they often match many of these principles.

Now I am not here to say that these principles are flawless and perfect. But within an envronment where most of the wealthy of the world (aka the West, US included) are intent on getting wealthier, generally on some other people’s back, even if it means exploiting them shamelessly, destroying that people’s culture, civilization and dignity, I can definitely see how one could feel cornered to think that cooperative economics within that people, and self-reliance, are the only solution. I have always said, and I will continue to say that if the West realized that they had some interest in the emancipation of black people, they would have let us in 1960. I mean you talk about AfAmericans having to thankful? Thankful to be healthier in a society that still treats them like second class citizens? Thankful to be in an environment where they have to justify every day, every rght that their ancestors fought so hard for them to have? Thankful for a society that called them 3/5 of a human? Hell no!!! The only thing they have to be thankful about, is to come from a resilient people that have given them the strength to weather all the excruciatingly vicious and cruel things that White people have been throwing at them, and continue to throw at them. That’s something to be thankful for. I mean Coyote I normaly read your blog quite happily, but quel culot… I mean how dare you? I am normally a pretty moderate and relaxed guy about racial issues in this country, but you may have just changed that. Because you have just proven to me that White people still haven’t understood their privilege, and the weight of their History. People in Africa live less well than African Americans? And whose fault is that? For 40 years we have had leaders that we were imposed by either side of the cold war. We were maintained in dictatorships for your stupid interests. You used us as pawns, and staging grounds for your proxy wars. You have contributed in regressing our standard of living for so long, fomented wars, ignited ethnic conflicts, and watched as a genocide occured, and you have the audacity t come and say that AfAmericans should be thankful? Thankful that White people, for their own selfish interests, have helped to reduce their motherland to poverty, better to be exploited? I mean are you seriously making this argument?

Don’t get me wrong, I do not absolve the bad leaders we have had. They have a geat deal of respnsibility in what is happening now. But I will ALWAYS hold accountable all those behind the door Westerners (and Soviets) that put them in power, against the people’s will. So if you want to criticize people, look at your own History, your own people, and their misdeeds, And for Chrisakes, leave us alone if we choose to celebrate the dream that one day we can stand on our own, without opression, as an equal people among nations. Because contary to what you seem to think, we are still oppressed. And you proved it to me.

Great piece on how the Kwanzaa principles have been implemented in Africa.

It’s just as Coyote describes, values perfectly constructed to keep blacks in poverty.

What astounds me about all of this anti-kwanzaa bs is the extent to which you have to depend on Ann Coulter and other biased reporters to suggest what evil is being done in America by it. If it weren’t for Coulter’s disinformation, none of you would even think of it. Why? Because, Kwanzaa in the proper context is firstly not political and secondly an intimate occasion with family and friends. There isn’t an American Kwanzaa Party, or Think Tank or Lobby. There are essentially no political anything done on behalf of Kwanzaa or Kawaida.

I find it a poor reflection on the character of a number of individuals that they would visit the sins of Karenga on the many American families who celebrate Kwanzaa and understand that values and rituals are not of the same species as political agendas and propaganda. They may have felt they have won a rhetorical battle, but they are only shouting in vain.

I would gladly engage anyone via email or at my blog to put the rites and rationale of kwanzaa in proper perspective. That is what is sorely missing.
The proper historical context for the creation of Kwanzaa is a decent exploration into the Black Arts Movement in Los Angeles and the rationale, purposes and results of Black Cultural Nationalism. I don’t see any evidence here that people are up to that task – certainly not anyone who takes Coulter seriously, ie college educated people who actually think for themselves.

And XC-135 – who exactly are you to dictate the contents of Coyote’s blog? Is there some particular reason he should respect _your_ wishes above anyone else’s? I for one enjoyed the post. If Coyote “disappoints” you with any particular post – hey, you’re free not to read it!