Glenn Grothman, a state senator in Wisconsin has a problem with Kwanzaa. He wants it wiped out and doesn’t want it being shared in schools across America. Grothman went so far as to issue a press release recently, warning parents. The release included, “Be on the lookout if a K-12 or college teacher tries to tell your children or grandchildren that it’s a real holiday.”
The senator appeared on CNN where he was challenged by host Ashleigh Banfield and Roland Martin. You can view the video below.
From Mediaite:
Wisconsin state senator Glenn Grothman raised many eyebrows on Monday when he released a statement railing against Kwanzaa, declaring that “no black people today care” about it, only “white left-wingers.” Grothman attempted to explain himself on CNN tonight, with guest host Ashleigh Banfield and Roland Martin both asking him with increasing incredulity what his problem is exactly with Kwanzaa, and what makes its origins so much more bothersome to him than other holidays with less-than-pleasant origins.
Do you celebrate Kwanzaa? Should it be taught in schools? Do they teach the principles of Kwanzaa in your child’s school?
What I would have commented to the Senator is this: FACT CHECK: When Black people were kidnapped and brought to this country, our names, language, families, and culture were disposed of. Kwanzaa was created as a bridge to bring us back to a culture that was lost in this dark part of American history. The principles of Kwanzaa are human principles that all cultures celebrate, including our forgotten culture- pre slavery.
So, why doesn’t the Senator “agree” with these beautiful principals? SImply put- this is a clear example of some Americans that still have a “slave master” mentality. It was clear when LeBron James left Ohio, and its clear now…anything that Black people choose to do “without permission” is frowned upon. This Senator did not know his history, Columbus in his own words described the rape and murder of Native American girls. He and his “followers” killed, raped, and enslaved many Taino Indians. Indeed he was a very violent man! Thanksgiving is also a holiday celebrated in the honor of slaughter. This is not about Dr. Karenga…this is about the disgust he has for a people that are rising above the worst crime in World History- slavery! Peace…
WORD