White Racist made to Attend Kwanzaa Ceremony for Commnuity Service

I just read an interesting article on the website of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel of January 10, 2007, titled: "Court-ordered volunteer learns how it feels to be a minority"

It's about a 67-year-old former Volunteer Fire Department chief, Terrence Stapleton, who was convicted of disorderly conduct. He was convicted of a hate crime, for using his German shepherd to chase Mark Bratton, who is black, from a fishing spot. Stapleton and fellow firefighter Mark Weber, used racial slurs as well as Weber who threatened Bratton with a gun. Weber will be sentenced later this month.

As part of his probation, Stapleton, has to do 100 hours of community service, half with Black organizations. With that sentencing, Stapleton was sent to a Kwanzaa celebration to learn about it and the black culture. According to the article, Stapleton was more comfortable standing in the back and left early. But before he left, he did join hands and participated in the concluding shouting in Swahili of "Harambee!" meaning "working together as one."

Wow! Stapleton did more than I would have done myself at a Kwanzaa ceremony. I have gone to one before and with all the talk of one improving the black community, and understanding what Kwanzaa was truly about, I didn't participate in anything! I stayed in the back myself and was not comfortable with the over-emphasis of one's blackness. My last Kwanzaa ceremony I participated in which was led by Karenga himself, I was not only uncomfortable for myself, but for the non-blacks that were in the audience as well.

Here is a man who clearly is a racist in his attitude and actions. Using his dog to chase this black man away while his friend points a gun at him? Just to claim a fishing spot? How insulting was it to have his dog chase this man away, reminiscent of the old racist days in the south where these same German shepherd dogs were used by the police to break up civil rights demonstrations chasing and biting black demonstrators.

But also insulting is the thought that the majority of black people celebrate their heritage by using this black racist holiday of Kwanzaa. What was this racist white man supposed to learn here, that it's okay for blacks to be inclusive of their ethnicity? If this celebration was anything like the one I attended in San Diego, black racism would have reeked in this man's face.

Here are some of the things I got out of a one-day celebration held by Karenga himself. These are some of the things that were said in this very public Kwanzaa celebration by Karenga and guest speakers:

"white man is the oppressor"
"black people are the only chosen ones appointed to bring good into the world"
"the ancestors would bless us through eternity"

Hopefully, this Kwanzaa ceremony that Stapleton participated in wasn't as black radical as the one I witnessed on December 31, 2005 here in San Diego. But I totally object to a white racist learning about blacks through a Kwanzaa participation. That would have been equivalent to punishment for me if I had been forced to participate in Kwanzaa as well.

I am a fan of the TV show "Wife Swap" and I remember one show where a black wife swapped places with a white wife who's husband used the "N" word openly. That disturbed the black wife so much so that part of her list of things that the white family had to do was take a tour of an Underground Railroad Museum. I'm not sure where this was and I had never known about it before this TV show, but I was impressed how that tour affected this white racist. That changed his attitude as well as his children and before the show was over, he promised the black wife that he would never use the "N" word again.

Now that's what I call effective use of "ethnic education" for a white racist. At least it worked and it dealt with factual historical information. Not pseudo-celebrations such as Kwanzaa. The fact that Kwanzaa is associated with "getting to know black people" I find very insulting and evident of the need for the world to be educated on what Kwanzaa is truly about.

Why Christocentric?

I've finally settled on a name for my blog - Christocentric. Kind of easy because it's the same as my website. But what in the heck does it mean?

Let's see, straight from the Webster's dictionary:

Christocentric
\Chris"to*cen"tric\, a. [Christ + centric.] Making Christ the center, about whom all things are grouped, as in religion or history; tending toward Christ, as the central object of thought or emotion. --J. W. Chadwick.

Why did I go against all the rules of choosing a domain and blog name by making it long and difficult to pronounce? I chose it to counter the name of "afrocentric," a way of thinking that in my opinion is detrimental to a black individual's relationship to God AND to society.

That opinion in itself will get me into a lot of trouble with mainstream "African-Americans." I won't use the term African-American in my primary writings because to me, that is an afrocentric term. I prefer to just use the term "black" to describe Americans of African ancestry. Most of us conservative blacks prefer that name anyway and conservative I am.

But what does afrocentric or afrocentricity mean?

Here's the definition by noted black afrocentric scholars and Institutions:

Wade W. Nobles
"Afrocentric, Africentric, or Afirican Centered" are interchangeable terms representing the concept which categorizes a quality of thought and practice which is rooted in the cultural image and interest of African people and which represents and reflects the life experiences, history and traditions of African people as the center of analyses. It is therein, the intellectual and philosophical foundation which African people should create their own scientific criterion for authenticating human reality."

Molefi Asante (1987)
"Afrocentricity [African centered] as the placing of African ideals at the center of any analysis that involves African culture and behavior."

Maulana Karenga (1994)
Afrocentricity can be defined as a quality of thought and practice rooted in the cultural image and human interest of African people [and their descendants]. To be rooted in the cultural image of African people is to be anchored in the views and values of African people as well as in the practice which emanates from and gives rise to these views and values.

Kean College Africana Studies
The African centered perspective rests on the premise that it is valid to position Africa as a geographical and cultural starting base in the study of peoples of African descent (Keto 1989). The objective therefore is to view the world from the perspective of the people studied. The Afro-centric comprehensive model for the teaching and learning of knowledge about African peoples makes possible an understanding of, and appreciation for the social, institutional, cultural and intellectual patterns of African people.

These are just a few that I dug up from this website: http://www.afrocentric.info/AfricanCentered/Definitions.html..

On this same page is the following which is the thrust of the afrocentric thought. It is titled, "Some things to consider."

1. "African Centered" is a thought (philosophy) not continent or appearance.
2. African Centered is a "how process."
3. Cultural heritage provides the lenses by which we view and the foundation on which we interpret the world.

The last one, #3 is the clincher: cultural heritage encompasses an afrocentric's world view. That one "thing to consider" is a reason why many blacks take celebrations like Kwanzaa so seriously. Their heritage is providing a way to view their world!

So with these definitions and explanations, I begin to truly give more direction to my blog here. I'm dedicating this blogosphere to refuting afrocentricity as a way of life for the black man, woman or child and introducing the BEST way - the way of Jesus Christ - "christocentrically" speaking!

Now that Kwanzaa is Over

Kwanzaa is over for the 2006-07 year and for most blacks that celebrate it, that is it. For others, Kwanzaa will be like a religion as they try to practice its principles on a daily basis. Why? Because they have been led to believe that Kwanzaa will make them a better person.

Judging from the postings that I used as examples within this blog, one can see the different reasons and purposes that many celebrate Kwanzaa:

". . . for the unity of the black family"

". . .reaffirms our need to always know ourselves in our uniqueness and specialness as persons and as a people"

" . . .parents, grandparents, siblings — representations of spirits that, while long gone, will always serve as guides in the struggle to maintain responsibility, respect and charity in one's life"

The seven principles of Kwanzaa, the Nguzo Saba, are in fact not only a moral code of living, but is expressed as a way of life. For the Christian who practices Kwanzaa (of which there are many), that poses a dilemma. Are you having a changed life because of Kwanzaa or because of the principles found in the bible? Some will excuse the principles of Kwanzaa by merely saying that the principles are biblical principles. Another dilemma for the Christian is why is Kwanzaa even necessary. To know one's heritage is the primary reason.

Why is it important to know one's heritage? For many blacks, not knowing one's heritage is equivalent to blaspheming God. Because the culture of the black individual is equivalent to having religion, many will be frowned upon if they don't know and/or honor their heritage and ancestors.

Some questions for the Kwanzaa celebrant:

1. Is Kwanzaa necessary to celebrate?
2. If so, why? If not, then is it necessary to know "our black history?" If so, then why?
3. If one's answer is "to know ourselves better" or "to unite the black family" then what would one think of the black individual who chooses not to "honor" their ancestors?
4. Are there other ways of uniting a family that don't involve "race?"
5. Is Kwanzaa a spiritual celebration?

The answers to these questions would be quite revealing. Is it possible to have true unity without Christ? Can one have a spiritual celebration without Christ as the centerpiece? How far will one go to spiritualize Kwanzaa without considering it "religious?"

Just something to think about while one thinks about Kwanzaa for the coming new year.

Imani (Faith) The Seventh Principle of Kwanzaa

Imani (ee-mah-nee) (Faith) - the seventh and last principle of Kwanzaa - To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle. - Karenga

More from Karenga -

"Unity brings us together and harnesses our strength, but faith in each other and the Good, the Right, the Beautiful inspires and sustains the the coming together and the commitment to take the work to its end." pg 64-65 of Kwanzaa, Celebration of Family, Community and Culture. 1997

"In the context of African spirituality, it begins with a belief in the Creator . . . it is taught that we are in the image of the Creator and thus capable of ultimate righteousness and creativity through self-mastery and development in the context of positive support. Therefore, faith in ourselves is key here, faith in our capacity as humans to live righteously, self-correct, support, care for and be and be responsible for each other and eventually create the just and good society."

From what others say of Imani and Kwanzaa:

RecordOnline.com - Faith or Imani focuses on honoring the best of our traditions, draws upon the best in ourselves and helps us strive for a higher level of life. By affirming our self-worth and confidence in our abilities, we triumph in righteous struggle. Kwanzaa is not based on religion, per se, but the celebration does put emphasis on believing in something (be it a higher power or one's self) in order to survive. A community is only as strong as its individuals and families. We must believe in ourselves and our ability to thrive in troubling situations. (by Carolyn Massey)

www.doth.com - Affirmation: I will have faith, strong and unshakable in the Supreme Deity and its Grand Goodness and in myself and the inherent goodness of others. I will sweep away all fear of the unknown, past regrets and concerns for the future from my mind and meet each day with active faith. I will give thanks for both expected and unexpected good and will help others have faith in themselves and others.

Kwanzaa principle of the day, Imani: (about.com) The principle celebrated on the final day of Kwanzaa is Imani, or Faith. On this day, those who celebrate Kwanzaa focus on the faith they have in themselves, their parents, teachers, leaders, and what is right.

In the paragraph by Karenga near the top of this page, he describes us a being in the image of the Creator and capable of righteousness through self-mastery. Of course, that's contradictory to the nature of the Christian where righteousness is obtained through Christ only and not by anything one does themselves. (2 Cor 5:21). The rest of the examples of Imani urges faith in a "creator," faith in onesself, faith in the "inherent goodness" of man - contrary to man's inherent sinfulness.

Next: Final Commentary on the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles of Kwanzaa)

Kuumba (Creativity) the Sixth principle of Kwanzaa

Kuumba (Creativity) - To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it. - Karenga

More from Karenga on Kuumba:

"It is a commitment to being creative within the context of the national community vocation of restoring our people to their traditional gretness and thus leaving our community more beneficial and beautiful then we, i.e., each generation, inherited it. The principle has both a social and spiritual dimension and is deeply rooted in both social and sacred teachings of African societies."

From others and what Kuumba means to them:

Guiding spirits honored as Kwanzaa continues - Democrat and Chronicle.com, Rochester, NY - "David Anderson held what looked like a chalice high over his head as members of an audience of about 60 shouted names in his direction. The names were likely those of parents, grandparents, siblings — representations of spirits that, while long gone, will always serve as guides in the struggle to maintain responsibility, respect and charity in one's life. Anderson then, as a part of the sixth day of Kwanzaa celebrations held in the Rochester area, poured water from the Kikombe cha umoja, or unity cup, over a bowl of soil as a remembrance to ancestors. He also says, ". . .it's important for the younger generation to recognize elders and learn from their teachings. This is also the way the principles of Kwanzaa, which include faith and collective work and responsibility, should be recognized throughout the year."

Living Kwanzaa: The sixth principle is creativity - RecordOnline.com, Josephine Finn represents the principle of creativity. “I tell people that when we make an honest effort to learn or do whatever we must, the creative spirit in the universe will assist us in that task,” she says.

Kwanzaa dinner unifies friends - Lawrence Journal-World, “For me Kwanzaa is a reminder of my heritage, and it’s a time for me to celebrate the survival of those tribal traditions that got my people through slavery,” said Turner, a Kansas University doctoral student and director of AARP Kansas.

When describing Kuumba in the first paragraph, Karenga used words such as "sacred" and "spiritual." The celebrants of Kwanzaa in the other paragraphs considered ancestors as "representatives of spirits" and that we'll be assisted by the "creative spirit" in the universe. Not claiming to be religious but showing religious qualities, Kwanzaa remains a borderline religious ceremony.

Next, the last day of Kwanzaa, Imani (faith).

Happy New Years!

2007 - We've made it another year!

I'm not going to make any resolutions because like the majority of us, I never keep them. However, I do have a few goals to make. (Okay, so what's the difference?)

1) I want to lose weight. At least 30 lbs. I will put my "before" picture (fully clothed as not to sicken my readers) online soon. Knowing that my pic is online will be great motivation for me to hurry and loose my weight to replace it with my beautiful diva-ish after picture.

I was going to lose this weight by either competing for a spot on the "Survivor" program, as they seem to all lose a lot of weight during the show, or join the senior women's basketball team. Because I don't like the idea of eating bugs and crap like they do on "Survivor," I've elected the latter.

I'll be on the "rookie" team because I'm SO out of shape. It's 3 on 3 halfcourt B-Ball and they have received national attention. But I won't tell my family where we are practicing or playing because I want NO ONE there to see me! I'm doing this because I love basketball and I want to lose weight. This should be interesting. As a 50 year old, I'll be one of the youngest on the team. I hope some of those 80 year old players won't put me to shame!!!

2) I want to become a better writer/speaker. The purpose of this blog is to engage myself with others to see where I need improvement with my writing. Also, my plans are to open some public forums/seminars on various topics. Working that out right now.

3) Be more respectful of my ex-husband. I've taught my children to love their dad no matter what and given them as much access to him as they desire, and it seems to be working. They do have decent relationships with him as a result, but everynow and then I let something negative about him slip my lips. I have to cut that down to zero.

4) When I do go out on "dates," never let my sons know. They tend to be rude to my fella's and try to scare them away from me.

5) To be a better representative of Christianity - a better servant of our Lord and God. Be as kind and as repectful as possible in my discussions with non-believers. I know there are some believers that don't believe debating about issues is ever permissable. But I'm one of those who believe that isn't the case. Political incorrectness has a lot to do with spiritual issues.

6) Enter a Master's program at a Christian college. It will either be Christian apologetics, or something to do with history. Something that will compliment my writings that I already do. I wouldn't mind having a degree in counseling either. Decisions, decisions!

So those are a few of my New Year's "goals" for 2007. I have a few more things to finish up on Kwanzaa, and then I'll move on to other topics, such as the single-parent and dating, teens and abstinence, and other social issues. I'm not well versed in politics and won't stray into that area too often. But if a situation should arise, then politics it will be!

again, Happy New Year folks!