Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration held in the United States honoring universal African-American heritage and culture, observed from December 26 to January 1 each year. It features activities such as lighting a candle holder with seven candles and culminates in a feast and gift-giving. It was created by Maulana Karenga and was first celebrated in 1966–67.

Maulana Karenga of the US Organization created Kwanzaa in 1966 as the first specifically African American holiday. Karenga said his goal was to "give Blacks an alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society." The name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning first fruits of the harvest. The choice of Swahili, an East African language, reflects its status as a symbol of Pan-Africanism, especially in the 1960s.

Kwanzaa is a celebration that has its roots in the black nationalist movement of the 1960s, and was established as a means to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage by uniting in meditation and study of African traditions and Nguzu Saba, the "seven principles of African Heritage" which Karenga said "is a communitarian African philosophy".

String Play

[method man]
Uh, and it goes like this
Uh uh uh uh, it goes like that
Now let me tell you who I am
Up early in the morning, dressed in black
Who dat? *echoes*
[genius/gza]
Yo yo
Marvel this theatrical, drama on stage
Broadway classical, led men to rage
Like currents, the beat change and now a flow is strange
You in the arctic wit wolves that viciously main
Thugs that roam clubs, in the dark wit fireworks that spark
Saltwater vibrations comin from sharks
Blood-thirsty kids bite just as well as I write
You're like secretaries who can't type, you're no use
Broke down vessels who want a boost, there's no jokes
Quick fast you, get stumped 'cause you played, your organ pump
Kool-aid, from indiana wit the jones of a lost crusade
Hip-hop done hit the church, choir girls rockin mini skirts
The b-side kept plenty hurt
Push like the shovels in snow storms
And stack piles of foul, the shit you must grow on! *echoes*
Chorus [method man] 4x
Uh and it goes like this
Uh uh uh uh, it goes like that
[method man]
Pay no attention to the evil they speak
You caught the beef wit the equal eye, poisonous beats from underneath
Crack the concrete wit two left feet
Head on my meat
Ain't no games here we playin for keeps (we play for keeps!)
Introducing, the crowd seducing man on the street
Penitentiaries is either half-dead or too sweet
Back to basic, condition-al god, plus I can take it
Wagin war within the matrix, it's hard to see
Touch, hear, smell or even taste it, take your places
We runnin in these human races, bucking naked
Back-slappin kid yappin, actin villian catchin feelin like we cap peelin
As if we killin every brick in every project building
From cabrini green to tildens, sincerely yours
Mista meth and maximilion (da millions, da millions)
(ka ka ka ka ka ka ka kaaa!) (da millions ha!)
Chorus 5x
[method man]
Uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh
Wu-tang killa bees on the swarm (we play for keeps!)
(we play for keeps!)
Wu-tang killa bees on the swarm

photo: AP / Antonio Calanni

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Italian Authorities Crush Islamic Plot To Bomb Vatican, Israeli Embassy In Rome

Edit WorldNews.com 28 Apr 2016

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Edit WorldNews.com 28 Apr 2016

2 attack.Two people were arrested at Raheel Farook’s home after the FBI conducted a search warrant on Thursday morning, according to Sgt. Paul Mercado, a spokesman for the Corona Police Department ... Attorney’s Office.FBI agents have executed three search warrants at Raheel Farook’s home since Dec ... Federal agents searched the older brother’s home, where several Farook family members live, in the days after the shooting ... 2 shooting....

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Article by WN.com Correspondent Dallas Darling In “Timon of Athens,” William Shakespeare wrote of the generous philanthropist turned tragic protagonist. “The middle of humanity thou never knew’st, but the extremity of both ends.” It follows the same can be said of the extremely multitalented Prince, also elevated by a configured society wildly swinging between affluence and despair ... He is a correspondent for www.worldnews.com ... ....

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Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz wasted little time firing back at former House Speaker John Boehner’s comments calling him “Lucifer in the flesh” saying Boehner is playing a role and pretending to be a Washington outsider, Newsweek reported Thursday. “When John Boehner calls me Lucifer, he’s not directing that at me. He’s directing that at you....

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Everybody Has A Prince Story (Or Should). Here Are Ours.

Edit National Public Radio 22 Apr 2016

i. Prince performs at the Ritz Club during his "Purple Rain" tour on September 13, 1985. Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty Images hide caption. toggle caption Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty Images ... Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty Images ... It. was ... So ... whenever I tell people about this video, they thought I was making it — because surely, if this s—-were real, it we'd all have seen it and watching it would be an official part of Kwanzaa or something....

LeAnn Rimes, Kenny Rogers, Kylie Minogue and more deliver holiday tunes

Edit Boston Herald 22 Apr 2016

____ ... ____ ... ____ ... A fair warning for parents ... ____ ... Minj, calling herself a "cross-dresser for Christ," sings a song about the amalgamation of holidays like Christmas and Kwanzaa with derision; Detox sings "This Is How We Jew It" about Hanukkah; "A Very Cozby Christmas" skewers the sex assault allegations against the embattled Bill Cosby, putting a very druggy spin on "Baby, It's Cold Outside."....

Top 6 tips to keep pets safe during Easter fun

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Beware the bunny. chocolate is tasty for humans, but death to all things furry. Ever witness your companion animals attack a perceived danger or intruder in the house or yard? They spy said danger. Freeze ... Whatever ... With Thanksgiving, Kwanzaa, Chanukkah and Christmas following in close succession, we become pretty practiced at keeping prying paws and naughty noses at safe distances from dangerous decorations and Christmas Kringle....

The Resurgence of New Afrikan Identity

Edit Huffington Post 18 Mar 2016

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Edit Business Journal 16 Mar 2016

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ST. LOUIS PUBLIC LIBRARY’S PLAY DATE THEATER KICKS-OFF ITS THIRD SEASON WITH SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL ST. LOUIS’ MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (St Louis Public Library)

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(Source. St Louis Public Library) 62a7dab0-d950-483d-9854-a229a3e3d1e5.pdf. For more information, contact. Julie Cracchiolo. Office. (314) 539-0331. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 16, 2016. ST ... LOUIS' MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. St. Louis, MO… The St ... Shakespeare Festival St ... From Santa to Scrooge, Rudolph and the Gift of the Magi, Bobby and Beverly present the stories behind some traditional carols and tales of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa ... # # #....

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Philadelphia December Events Calendar

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Photo credit ... gifts ... But don't forget to focus on the meaning of the season and include themed games for Hannukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa in your celebration ... We've got party planners for every age and occasion -- from Hanukkah and Kwanzaa to New Year's Eve ... Inti St ... While you're making your way through the chaos and the joyful times of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa, remember to keep the New Year in mind ... ....

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That means no inappropriate Halloween costumes, understanding why some Native Americans view Thanksgiving as racist and why blacks celebrate Kwanzaa ... Ron Chapple 4.  Celebrating the Kwanzaa Holiday and Understanding its Impact on Race Relations. Just what is Kwanzaa? One of the newer American holidays, Kwanzaa originated in the turbulent 1960s to instill racial pride and unity in the black community....

Race, Racism and the Holidays

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Ron Chapple 4.  Is Kwanzaa Just for Black People?. An Afro-centric holiday established in the 1960s, Kwanzaa remains a source of confusion for the U.S ... While Kwanzaa creator Maulana Karenga established the holiday, based on seven principles rooted in East African traditions, as a way unify black Americans, he’s pointed out that members of other races can participate....

December Writing Prompts

Edit About.com 21 Feb 2016

December is a time for many holiday celebrations like Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa.  anneh632 / flickr.com. December brings up images of decorations, presents, and holidays like Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa. Here are a number of free writing prompts celebrating each day in December ... St ... Does your family decorate for Christmas, Chanukah, or Kwanzaa? If so, describe the decorations ... Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa celebrates seven principles ... ....

Kwanzaa

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You can search using any combination of the items listed below.

Everybody Has A Prince Story (Or Should). Here Are Ours.

LeAnn Rimes, Kenny Rogers, Kylie Minogue and more deliver holiday tunes

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The Resurgence of New Afrikan Identity

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ST. LOUIS PUBLIC LIBRARY’S PLAY DATE THEATER KICKS-OFF ITS THIRD SEASON WITH SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL ST. LOUIS’ MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (St Louis Public Library)

The Optimists

Philadelphia December Events Calendar

Family Holidays Survival Guide

Holidays of Interest to African Americans

Celebrating Diversity While Celebrating the Holidays

Race, Racism and the Holidays

December Writing Prompts