I do not accept or promote Kwanzaa as an alternative to Christmas, although I am cool if people go to that. I read several of Dr. Maulana Karenga's books when Kwanzaa was in its early stage. I was personally dissatisfied with his simplistic approach to African history. At that time, I was enjoying Dr. Ben Jochannan and Dr Henrik Clarke’s reasonings, and felt Kerenga should have humbled to their approach. I did not agree with everything they said, but I really loved the fact that they spoke with the urgency of dark-skinned Black Africans.
I remember that Dr. Ben Jochannan and Dr. Henrik Clarke did not show support for Kerenga’s approach of using Black History to simply rival other religions/Christmas. This approach was quite suddenly supported by the mainstream press and I was rather suspicious of this sudden advocacy. It also gave a false impression that we arrived because Kwanzaa was being promoted in the mainstream, the same mainstream media that did not open up to Dr. Ben and other noted Black African historians. I always felt (although I have no proof) that Jewish funds were also used to promote Kwanzaa. I remember around that time the Works of Dr Ben was getting more Black Africans to tour Egypt and he was very critical of Jews. I felt they wanted him out of the way.
Anyhow, as I said I am cool with people moving to whatever African organization that works for them, and I generally do not publicly criticize Kwanzaa as I know many others are against it for the wrong reasons.
