tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9284635.post110259696206901245..comments2023-10-19T10:21:32.190-05:00Comments on In Other Words: MH - No Such Thing as a Free LunchPaul Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00974655628067266530noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9284635.post-1103069728901188212004-12-14T18:15:00.000-06:002004-12-14T18:15:00.000-06:00Your wrote that "Kwanzaa is an exclusionary event,...Your wrote that "Kwanzaa is an exclusionary event, limited to African Americans." Not true. People who are not African-American can and do celebrate Kwanzaa. My wife, son and I go to a friend's Kwanzaa celebration -- and thoroughly enjoy it -- almost every year.<br /><br />I suppose you mean that Kwanzaa the holiday (a series of holidays, really) is intended primarily for African-Americans. Well, sure -- sort of like Christmas is intended mostly for those (or was ORIGINALLY tied to those) who accept that Christ is the Savior, the Promised One, the Prince of Peace. Christmas is in a very sense "exclusionary," though one can always opt into the group. The same is true for Kwanzaa. One can opt in, not by becoming African-American (obviously), but by appreciating the cause for celebration. One doesn't have to be African-American to celebrate the principles and joys of Kwanzaa. (Christmas obviously is celebrated -- though differently -- by those for whom it is simply a secular, present-buying, tree-decorating, cookie-baking event. But that's not the Christmas you had in mind, nor the Christmas that I really want to celebrate, either.)<br /><br />It's a diverse, wonderful world out there. Please don't be afraid of it or feel threatened when others celebrate peace, unity, hope through various holidays. <br /><br />Steve (Catholic-Christian and glad I was born into a world that USUALLY respects diversity)Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17284905121465747077noreply@blogger.com