Kwanzaa 2013 began on
Thursday, December 26
and ends on
Wednesday, January 1
Drop-off in Kwanzaa observations called disheartening
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 25, 2013, 10:53 PM
BY MONSY ALVARADO
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
The traditions of Kwanzaa will be celebrated this year in North Jersey with school assemblies, crafts at local libraries and get-togethers hosted by community groups.
However, local festivities at churches and other community sites to mark the holiday that celebrates and honors the heritage of African-Americans are harder to find, some community leaders said.
“I used to go to Kwanzaa parties by residents and some that were sponsored by churches and other civic organizations, but I don’t know, it’s not what it used to be, and it’s a little disheartening,” said Mack Cauthen, a former Englewood councilman and deacon at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Englewood.
Anthony Cureton, president of the Bergen chapter of the NAACP, said he also has noticed a decline in Kwanzaa-related activities, and he said it likely is not practiced at home, either.
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It’s not really surprising considering it’s not an actual religion, and that it enjoyed a period of popularity due to it being fashionable.
It was only started in the 60’s and did not take off till the 90’s. According to Wikapedia it was created to “give Blacks an alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society.” It is tough to compete with the machinery of Christmas.
I think Festivus may be more popular.
If it were not celebrated in December it would get more attention.