Kwanzaa In the 1966 Dr. Maulana Karenga came up with a idea for a holiday that would reinforce the values of family, culture and community within the black communities throughout the United States. He imagined a holiday that was unique to African American. Kwanzaa was first celebrated on December 26, 1967 in Los Angeles. That first celebration was small and only lasted for one night but the following years due the early efforts of Sister Makinya’s, a spokesperson for the holiday, and Dr. Karenga’s the holiday would spread. The later efforts of Amiri Baraka would again help spread the holiday throughout the continent. Today it is still is not celebrated as widely as it should be celebrated. African Americans should celebrate Kwanzaa because it reinforces the value of self-determination, the value of unity within the family and community, and …show more content…
The holiday of Kwanzaa is another way for blacks to practice self-determination. This holiday gives blacks the choice to choose what holiday is important to them instead of relying on the white community to choose for them. In extreme cases they can choose to reject Christmas completely. As Keith A. Mayes in From Kwanzaa: Black Power and the Making of the African-American Holiday Tradition said as a reflection of the views shared by many cultural revolutionist of the time, “Christmas shopping is akin to slavery.” Furthermore, Kwanzaa reinforces the bonds of families and communities. Kwanzaa is a holiday where families come together to talk, drink or to simply celebrate togetherness. Kwanzaa elevates the family togetherness to the level community togetherness through many celebrations such as parades, plays and other festivities. Those within in the community acquire a level of unity fostered by these events. This unity is essential for communities who have goals to fight against