Mayor Q Wishes 'Happy Kwanzaa' To Kansas City: Controversial?!?

Actually . . .

We've been to a few Kwanzaa celebrations in Kansas City and they're a lot of fun. The Afro-Caribbean drum line opening procession is the best part. 

Still . . . 

We hope Mayor Q actually attends upcoming KCMO Kwanzaa parties this week and maybe shares a bit more to hopeful followers regarding the holiday's history beyond a greeting.  

In fairness, there's criticism of the tradition from not only faith-based leaders who object to the holiday's secular nature but also from those who might not agree with the politicized theme of many principles .

Here's a very mainstream bit of holiday backstory . . .

Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually on the sixth day.

American black separatist Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 during the aftermath of the Watts riots as a non-Christian, specifically African-American, holiday. Karenga said his goal was to "give black people an alternative to the existing holiday of Christmas and give black people an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society."

Via www.TonysKansasCity.com here's a quick screencap of Mayor Q's X post . . .

And for those who want to join the celebration rather than debate it . . . Check a bit more about the festivities . . .