Kamala Harris, the Vice President-elect and Joe Biden's running mate, faced criticism on Tuesday after a post on X celebrating Kwanzaa, a holiday that has been controversial due to its origins.
Kwanzaa was created by Maulana Ron Karenga, a figure associated with the "black power" movement in the 1960s and the co-founder of the black nationalist group United Slaves Organization. Karenga and his organization promoted separatism and African-American cultural unity, often clashing with the Black Panthers.
However, Karenga's involvement in violent clashes and his criminal history have raised concerns about the legitimacy of Kwanzaa. He spent four years in prison for the brutal torture of two women, claiming that they were using magic crystals to poison him on behalf of his enemies. Despite this controversial background, Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966, deriving its name from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," meaning "first fruits."
Kwanzaa is centered around the "seven principles of African Heritage," which include unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
However, some critics argue that these principles resemble a communist manifesto rather than a celebration of African heritage.
Furthermore, Kwanzaa is a secular holiday that rejects religious beliefs. Karenga himself has made derogatory remarks about Jesus Christ and Christianity, referring to it as a "white religion" that black people should avoid.
Given the left's tendency to reject faith and promote division in America, it is not surprising that Harris would find Kwanzaa appealing, despite the fact that it did not exist when she was born.
The X users, however, were not in a celebratory mood and criticized Harris for her support of Kwanzaa, highlighting the controversy surrounding its origins and principles.
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