Wisconsin Republican state Senator Glenn Grothman says Kwanzaa should be ‘slapped down.’
*There should be a law against blatant stupidity, but alas there is not. Instead there are countless examples of what it looks like. Here’s one for you.
Wisconsin State Senator Glenn Grothman actually composed and sent out a press release calling for an end to the African American holiday, Kwanzaa.
We kid you not. Hold on, there’s more. He asks in a press release:
“Why must we still hear about Kwanzaa? Why are hard-core left wingers still trying to talk about Kwanzaa – the supposed African-American holiday celebration between Christmas and New Year’s?”
Characterizing Kwanzaa as a fake holiday conjured up by a rascist professor and perpetuated by hard-core liberals, Grothman goes on to say Kwanzaa was put forth to separate Americans. The senator continues,
“Of course, almost no black people today care about Kwanzaa – just white left-wingers who try to shove this down black people’s throats in an effort to divide Americans,” Grothman said.
Wait! White people are trying to shove Kwanzaa down OUR throats?
“Irresponsible public school districts such as Green Bay and Madison … try to tell a new generation that blacks have a separate holiday than Christians,” says Grothman; who adds Karenga “didn’t like the idea that Christ died for all of our sins, so he felt blacks should have their own holiday – hence, Kwanzaa.”
“With tens of millions of honorable black Americans in our country’s past, we should not let a violent nut like Karenga speak for them,” he said.
Grothman, whose district includes most of Ozaukee County, including Port Washington and Saukville, received national attention earlier this year when he proposed legislation that listed single parenthood as a contributing factor to child abuse.
Needless to say, the contents of his press release caused outrage and a flurry of critism, the message below calls for an immediate retraction from the treasurer of the Ozaukee Democratic Party.
“Senator Grothman seems to outdo himself every time he opens his mouth,” said Meg Moen, treasurer of the county Democratic Party. “His recent press release about Kwanzaa was absolutely jaw-dropping. Not only does Senator Grothman seem to find his inherit racism acceptable, he implores people to follow his lead and question a holiday that African-Americans have been celebrating for years. “He, as usual, blames progressives and teachers, for respecting all traditions, and having the audacity to include every holiday and tradition that occurs around this time every year,” Moen added. “That press release is absolutely disgusting and drips with disdain for African-Americans and, therefore, I am calling on him to retract his statements.”
State Sen. Lena Taylor, an African-American lawmaker from Milwaukee, couldn’t be reached for comment on Monday. But she said the seven days of Kwanzaa bring with it the principle of “Umoja,” the Swahili term for unity, in an editorial printed in the Milwaukee Courier on Dec. 29.
Kwanzaa is an African American holiday created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor and chair of Africana studis at California State University, Long Beach. The holiday was first celebrated in 1967. The weeklong cultural celebration takes place December 26 through January 1st and celebrates the 7 principles of the Nguzo Saba: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), Imani (Faith). Click here to learn more about this African American holiday from the Official Kwanzaa website.
ummm, maybe im the bad guy here but, kwaanza never worked for me. could never get pass the crazy azzed jargon “kunji choclate emo”, “nirumba” and all them other “principles” and lighten up all them dayum flame throwers every day….sorry. i dont agree with this nitwits presentation but i understand, this holiday is brutal. i never met one person of color who observed it.
Unbelievably stupid! Would this racist fool suggest the same thing about Hanukkah, a Jewish Holiday? Why don’t the state of Wisconsin get rid of this old fashion clueless racist instead. I’m guessing the old hoot said what he said because President Obama and the first family celebrated Kwanzaa. Amazing how the election of President Obama has forced America to show its true color.
Many whites fear anything movements or activities geared towards unity and upliftment when it concerns Blacks. He’d never try to outlaw Hanukkah, Chinese new years, Greek Easter or any other ethnic celebration. Since Kwanzaa doesn’t even include him why is he bothered about it?
Until community activism and a progressive stance on economics becomes an everyday concern, I can’t help but find some credence in this sentiment. The observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday comes to mind — a day on as opposed to a day off. What, so the only black people’s holiday that has already dropped off most companies’ paid holiday lists and you want us to not take THE DAY OFF??!! What about the other 364 days in the year?!?! Get back at me on THAT one!!!
All the other ethnic celebrations enumerated in previous posters’ responses are time-established cultural traditions, where Kwanzaa is a reactionary black-national militant-based movement with a 45-year history as (opposed to 45 hundred years), at least as it’s seen by the establishment. While this is a hard pill to swallow, I guess they’re laughing at us for lack of a time-tested and established cultural tradition given that they’ve robbed us of any hope at a historical one.
My thing is, who actually celebrates Kwanzaa and what is the enduring significance for the remaining 358 days in the year?
What an ignorant fool this old dog is. Instead of trying to create drama this fool needs to talk about the massive hate crimes in Wisconsin and the alarming rates of Skinheads affiliated with these crimes! He ain’t talking about that – but instead talks about a tradition that has no violent tendencies that millions of blacks worship and gather for comfort. Also, this fool isn’t mentioning about the 11% poverty level most Wisconsinians live in and the list goes on and on. He should be fired to writing this scaling letter on tax payers money when he obviously isn’t doing his job, but has the time for menial tasks and that’s trying to incite racism by his ignorance… and ignorance it is!!!!
Dude is right Kwanzaa sucks get over it!
Ha ha! I have heard a lot of blacks say this but I guess it sounds worse coming from a non black.
I can understand why this ignorant Euro American can make such an asinine statement. What is more insane is our own cultural illiteracy. Kwannzaa principles of unity, self determenation, purpose, etc., are based on ancient African concepts. They go back to the 42 principles of MA’AT, which predates the 10 Commandments. But many of us have such a self hating attitude, or as Malcolm X said, “We left our minds in Africa.” That we find it easier to support Santa Claus than to support Kwanzaa. This Afro Saxon attitude reminds me of Sam Jackson’s character in Django.
Thank you!
So, because it predates the Ten Commandments, I’m supposed to give a fuck? The point is, who keeps these principles, or even utters the words, past December?
@Rafee Kamaal,
I beg to differ, I have studied all of the Malcom X Speeches, read the autobiography as well. I don’t celebrate Kwanzaa because well it’s rather silly. Also you have to remember Christmas is celebration of the Christ and well that’s what makes it more important. Kwanzaa is celebration of self and identity which is cool and all but it shouldn’t take place during the celebration of Christ. Hanukkah is similar but it has religious origons Kwanzaa does not.
So, if this is based on “African principles”, do Africans still practice this and specifically which country(ies) practice this? The best part about Kwanzaa is that you don’t have to break the bank buying expensive gifts. Other than that, it’s bull shyt
Kwannza is lame. Point blank! i had to ask siri when it started. lol.
I respect people who celebrate this holiday however I don’t mailny because of Ron Karenga,the founder of this holiday.
If you read George Jackson’s book you know why.
Have never seen anyone in Milwaukee take Kwanzaa seriously, except for one token picture the newpaper prints…
For those who say Christmas is the celebration of Christ where did you learn that? I stopped celebrating that bogus holiday so long ago…..
I celebrate Christmas and whether it originated as a celebration of Christ or not that’s what it is today.
Seems that even after 400 years, the white man is still brainwashing the negro into rejecting his culture.
“Your name is Toby, not Kunta Kente.”
As Melody says, why the fuck is he even bothered about it?
Because it’s another tool the black man has at his disposal to help rid him of the remnants of slavery.
But judging from the number of negroes which Grothman so easily recruited to his cause, the black man still has a far way to go.
I mean, we all could/should be a bit more up on Kwanzaa. But look how easily a black man would diss Kwanzaa while embracing Christmas, another legacy of massa.
As Bob Marley says, “emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds.”
Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, it’s a spiritual one. Anyone that finds the concept of unity, self determination, having a purpose and faith to be silly, what more can I say? Except this …
I mean, this is what you say. “I ain’t left nothing in Africa,” that’s what you say. Why, you left your mind in Africa.
From Message to Grassroots by Malcolm X, October 10, 1963
@Reds,
Some will never overcome the brainwashing and need folks like Grothman to validate and place their stamp of approval on everything we do. It serves no purpose to overvalue the Grothman types and I shut their azzes down when they try to insinuate themselves in matters that do not concern them. Black folks coming together seems threatening to non-Blacks and too many of us are hell bent on enforcing and upholding the status quo for some odd reason.
“But judging from the number of negroes which Grothman so easily recruited to his cause, the black man still has a far way to go.
I mean, we all could/should be a bit more up on Kwanzaa. But look how easily a black man would diss Kwanzaa while embracing Christmas, another legacy of massa.
As Bob Marley says, “emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds.”
Yaawwwwwwwwnnnzaaaa
Kwanzaa is observed and celebrated in Los Angeles with a parade and festival. The principles of Kwanzaa are to be observed not only for the seven days but 24/7, 365 days. Like any thing in this life if you don’t want to do it, cool but don’t put down Kwanzaa or those who do observe and celebrate it.
Lilly White. Against Kwanzaa does not observe, or celebrate, and is speaking out against something he really has no apparent clue or understanding too. This SOB has a problem and put Kwanza down due to non liking.