[J.C.]

Do African Americans actually celebrate Kwanzaa? What do you do?

User Detail :  

Name : J.C., Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Gay, Race : Asian, Religion : Christian, Age : 21, City : Los Angeles, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Fatima]

Im black and Ive never celebrated kwanzza because i celebrate christmas it’s always been a tradition in my family but I would like to one day celebrate kwanzza.

User Detail :  

Name : Fatima, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Pentecostal, Age : 24, City : Twinsburg, State : OH, Country : United States, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Middle class, 

[Brenda C]

I do not celebrate the United States created Kwanzaa. I might be more inclined if it were celebrated around the same time as Martin Luther King’s Birthday. I celebrate the birth of Christ (Christmas) at this time of season.

User Detail :  

Name : Brenda C, Gender : F, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 47, City : Southfield, State : MI, Country : United States, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

[James-W20866]

Personally I haven’t met anyone who does.

User Detail :  

Name : James-W20866, Gender : M, Race : Black/African American, City : Baltimore, State : MD, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Noelle]

It depends on the family. Traditionally a kanara which holds seven candles is placed in the home. The candles are red, green, and black the colors of the African flag. One candle is lit everyday and you are supposed to reflect on the proncipal of the day. Their are seven principals. Swahilli(a language from southern africa) names are used for the principals. I know what some are in english. 1.Faith 2.Cooperative work and ecconomics 3.Self determination 4.Respect

User Detail :  

Name : Noelle, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Baptist, Age : 16, City : Cleveland, State : OH, Country : United States, Occupation : student, Education level : Less than High School Diploma, 

[Brandy19413]

Yes, we do celebrate Kwanzaa. It is not a religious holiday, it is a family-oriented hoilday. It is also not limited to blacks. It’s all about how you live your life; that is what Kwanzaa is about.

User Detail :  

Name : Brandy19413, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 25, City : DETROIT, State : MI, Country : United States, Occupation : Teacher, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Surreal27464]

African Americans do celebrate Kwanzaa- not all of us do, but many. i have only taken part in kwanzaa celebration once, and i’m pretty sure that it is a celebration of unity, and when you partake in it, you light 8 candles, representing the 8 kwanza principles. Kwanzaa isn’t a religious thing (at least not in America- i don’t know about n/e where else), but more of a traditional, unity celebration.

User Detail :  

Name : Surreal27464, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 16, City : baltimore, State : MD, Country : United States, Occupation : highschool student, Education level : Less than High School Diploma, Social class : Lower middle class, 

[Lisa Martinez]

Yes i celebrate Kwanzaa.I have celebrated it for 10 yrs now.Here is a web site for you to view about our rituals and the history of Kwanzaa. http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/

User Detail :  

Name : Lisa Martinez, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Hispanic/Latino (may be any race), Age : 27, City : Tacoma, State : WA, Country : United States, Occupation : Mother, Education level : Technical School, Social class : Middle class, 

[cubensis]

I dont know too much about it. I think it is an ‘invented’ holiday, some blacks made it up to feel more at home during the holidays, Because some ignorant few think that the holidays are only for each race.

User Detail :  

Name : cubensis, Gender : M, Race : Black/African American, Age : 27, City : Los Angeles, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : Freight Handler, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class, 

[John R.]

As one black man I do not presume to speak for an entire race. I was raised in a Christian home and although I no longer view religion as relevant, neither I nor any members of my family, to my knowledge, celebrate Kwanzaa. It has been my observation that the only time I ever hear anything about Kwanzaa is on those occasions when a white person complains about its existence. I have heard, only from whites, that they have heard so-called black leaders espousing the virtues of Kwanzaa, but I have never met a Kwanzaa celebrant and have no idea when it is celebrated.

User Detail :  

Name : John R., Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Age : 31, City : las vegas, State : NV, Country : United States, Occupation : Account Executive, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Lower class, 

[MINION20478]

The holiday was invented in the early 20th century. Pan African colors are used, often to dress a negroid version of Santa Klaus or decorate their version of the menora. As is the case with Islam, all core concepts and symbolism (not previously universal enough) have been borrowed.

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Name : MINION20478, City : n/a, State : CA, Country : United States, 

[Hannahlore]

It’s to get back to the values and principles of Africa and to have a closer view of family.

User Detail :  

Name : Hannahlore, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 17, City : St. Louis, State : MO, Country : United States, Social class : Lower middle class, 

[Leo22857]

Not that I know of. I don’t even think a lot of them even know how to celebrate it.

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Name : Leo22857, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Bi-Racial, Religion : Catholic, Age : 29, City : Hyattsville, State : MD, Country : United States, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[EVIJ]

Not all African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa. I’m not quite sure if you’re educated about the holiday, so let me give you background information. First, people of African descent, from the Caribbean, and other parts of the African Diaspora celebrate Kwanzaa, not just African Americans. During Kwanzaa, black people reaffirm commitment to themselves, their families, community and the black struggle for equality. With that said, Kwanzaa IS celebrated, but again, not by all African Americans. For example, I celebrate Christmas because I am a Christian.

User Detail :  

Name : EVIJ, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 17, City : Kansas City, State : MO, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Social class : Middle class, 

[Neveen]

Kwanzaa was founded in California in the 1960s to increase awareness in the pride of African Americans. Seven candles are lit, similar to a Jewish menorah, and each candle represents a belief or matter of pride that African Americans hold (or should hold) dearly. I don’t know people who celebrate it as a holiday on the same level as Christmas, but I do know many families that use this holiday as a method to increase awareness and pride to their families.

User Detail :  

Name : Neveen, City : Atlanta, State : GA, Country : United States, 

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