This Week in Blackness Ep#14 – Year in Blackness Pt. 1 of 4 | December 20, 2008
AND WE’RE BACK! After a small hiatus (read: TWiB Studios being ripped down and rebuilt) Elon James White is back with a brand new TWiB discussing the year in review. Part 1 of 4. What will be discussed in such a year full of blackness. Who knows? But soon enough YOU will!
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Starchy Says:
Awesome.
I remember learning about Kwanzaa EVERY YEAR in elementary school. That’s also the only time I remember anyone mentioning it without rolling their eyes or adding, “Huh?”
Speaking of Tim Wise and the end of racism, did you see his recent column on post-racial America? I think he might need another hug for that one.
Posted on December 20th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Omar Abubakari Says:
On the Kwanzaa issue, how could you knock the only black holiday and be this week in blackness, it’s an oxymoron. Honestly before spouting words about the only black holiday, you’ve gotta learn about its purpose, function, something beyond its creator.
Posted on December 21st, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Elon James White Says:
Hey Omar,
I don’t believe Kwanzaa to be a “Black” holiday. Just because 1 person makes something up and says “This is a black thing” doesn’t make it so. I’m fully aware of its purpose and function. I went to a school that was very big on Kwanzaa as a child so I’ve been to quite a few Kwanzaa events. But as an adult who has done research on it, I find its origin and creator questionable. It’s not a “black” holiday. It’s something that was made up and said “This is for black people” and some black folk have decided to ride with it. I am not one of those folk. When you throw a lot of African stuff at me, and then “AFRICANS” are like “um…this isn’t African” it makes me go “hmmm?” I won’t even go into the East African vs. West African argument because you can look that up all over the place.
So I stand firm in my position and the title of this show “This Week in Blackness.” I don’t have to follow the herd in order to maintain my black card.
Posted on December 22nd, 2008 at 7:05 am
Miss Me Says:
I’m glad that someone else mentioned the abortion issue. I thought that was very peculiar in itself. I remember when churches were praying for Bill Clinton after the whole series of infidelities. Yet, I somehow doubt that they will be as forgiving.
And I wholeheartedly agree with you on the Kwanzaa piece of your argument. My mother was involved of the BLF and the fact that SHE thinks it’s a suspect holiday struck a chord.
Posted on December 22nd, 2008 at 11:04 am
Jigsaw Says:
Ok, so your back & global – let’s try consistency now that you’ve got us hooked like a 5 dollar crack ho.
Another excellent commentary and FYI – Mom dukes is right; you are stupid…but in that RunDMC “not bad meaning bad, but bad meaning good – there it is!” referential statement.
Keep up the great work and if I have to wait too long in between fixes…well you live in NYC, you know what happens when the fix has to be taken care of.
Posted on December 23rd, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Djedefrah Says:
Elon & Miss Me,
It troubles me you that you would bother researching the background of Mr. Karenga in an attempt to denigrate his accomplishment of a “non-religious” celebration for “Black Folks”. Unfortunately, through all your research you failed to understand the holiday no longer represents him or his past actions. It has a life and purpose of its own, one greater than its creator. It’s a tool to help deliver “Black Folks” from where they are to where they should be.
No one would doubt that Jefferson was a brilliant man, yet he was an adulterer, arguably a rapist, slave holder as well as a father of this nation. Yet we heard not a peep out of you about Jefferson or any other founding father on the Fourth of July. Yeah, I know that was too easy so let me give you yet another example.
Let me guess you probably celebrate the teachings of the bible. Since I want to compare apples to apples; you say Karenga went to jail for torture, right? Well, what about Moses who “killed” the Pharaohs’ solder? I bet you celebrate the Exodus he led. Both men have troubled pasts, yet they both strived to do something for their people greater than themselves, yet you judge Karenga? I think you need to get you facts straight.
Don’t even get me started on Christmas, as fake as that Holiday is. First, which Christmas do you celebrate, the commercial one, the religious one or both? Christmas has got people lying to their kids, spending money they don’t have and mentioning the “savior” last if at all. Imagine how it must feel to be mentioned last or not thought of on your “birthday”? It must be very saddening to Jesus.
You Christmas people are still in denial. You’re celebrating a concoction of the “Winter Solstice”, co-opted by the Roman Catholic Church to ease people away from paganism. As you can tell not all the paganism was removed, I would argue more has been added. The difference between Kwanzaa and Christmas is we know it’s a creation of principles that are not nor could ever have encompassed all African cultures. Karenga never said it is authentic Mende, Fulani or Ethiopian. Kwanzaa is a celebration of, for and by “Black Folks”. It doesn’t attempt to tell who is God or who and how to worship God. Rather, it gives you a framework to deal with “black folks” of any persuasion in an attempt to get our stuff together.
If it offends you that white people keep wishing you a “Happy Kwanzaa” too bad! You obviously haven’t told them that you don’t celebrate Kwanzaa as you would the “Winter Solstice” (i.e. Christmas) or “Hanukah”. Maybe I’m wrong here but your show claims to be about “Blackness” so I could see how they could be confused. Maybe you should change the title? Then white people won’t confuse you with someone who deals with Black folk’s issues as Kwanzaa celebrator would. Or go Michael Jackson on us, either way; problem solved.
Finally, no one is asking you to follow the trend or a herd, just don’t talk bad about Kwanzaa. If you don’t want to celebrate it, don’t celebrate it. Just don’t talk bad about it especially when your argument is as weak as yours was. Stick to the comedy dude! Philosophy and Social Engineering isn’t your thing. Leave that stuff to folks like Dr. Karenga that have a better handle on it than you do.
Posted on December 23rd, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Elon James White Says:
Greetings Djedefrah,
I’m assuming your attacks on me are due to some sort of deep rooted connection you have with the event in question. Obviously its blinding your ability to make rational arguements and forcing you to just make up things like reffering to me as one of those Christmas people. I have not hinted to nor have I stated any where on this site what my beliefs are on the subject of Christmas.
I didn’t research Karenga to “denigrate.”. I researched him because Kwanzaa felt weird to me. I wanted to know exactly what it was that I was supposed to take 7 days to acknowledge. Upon doing research on IT, did I find out about Karenga’s questionable past.
I realize that you are angry, so your points about not hearing a peep out of me on the fourth of July truly come from anger driven ignorance as opposed to logic because this show started in September. I’d be glad to go back in time if you would be so kind as to find me a Delorian and a flux capicitor. And just for the record, have you ever heard me praise Jefferson? If so it must be one of the lost episodes of TWiB that I don’t have any recollection of.
I have a question for you. If in the next month it came to light that i was a muderer and a rapist, do you think that people would look fondly back on the 15 episodes I’ve done of this show? Sure I might have made some valid points, but you know what? My points are clouded by my murdering and raping past. R. Kelly makes good music but likes to pee on girls. Should I ignore that part?
As for white people wishing me a happy Kwanzaa: I take issue becasue it is not a far gone conclusion that Black people celebrate this “Holiday.” Do a little research sir, there are quiet a few black people who take offense to the concept of it. My blackness does not marry me to this supposid black answer to “Winter Solstace.”
What if tomorrow I decide that I’m going to make “Black blackity black” Day. From now on ever January 7th black people should celebreate Black blackity black day. On this day we reflect on ideas such as unity as a people and working to promote change where its needed most; in the education of our youth.
WIll you be celebrating my holiday. Its made for black folks, by black folks. Its a positive idea. I mean why WOULDNT you celebreate it? What’s the problem if I plan to make up traditions and rituals to add to the workings of it. ITS BLACK right? Just do it.
You’re telling me I don’t have to follow the heard, just don’t say anything bad about Kwanzaa. But what if I don’t particularly care for it? I haven’t really laid out an intricate argument against it because that’s not what I intended. A 1 liner about Kwanzaa isn’t argument. But there are plenty sir. I assure you.
I’ll stop typing now.
Posted on December 24th, 2008 at 12:27 am
KozmicGreys Says:
Okay seriously, who STILL holds a grudge against Christmas? I suppose people should also refuse to stay home from work on Labor Day because it’s oxymoronic?Commercial holiday or not, on Christmas Day you either need to order Chinese takeout or play with the XBox you asked for and eat some glazed holiday ham, then move on. Actually, I’m sure Djedefrah would stone me for eating swine because it’s unclean, but I’m going to take my chances for now because it’s one thing the White man can’t take from me. EJW probably stands for the national anthem though and occassionally taps his toes to Journey, though. For that, we should stone him.
By the way, I heard Plies wants to write a song for the first ever Black Blackity Black Day album.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Jessica Says:
I agree with Elon. I don’t believe in holidays or religions that are not older than my grandmother. Period. (I’m looking at you Kwanzaa and Scientology!)
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Sean Says:
Never in all my days did I think I would laugh so hard about your statements about Kwanzaa, and THEN read someone going off about the humor of it.
I had never heard of Kwanzaa until I moved to Washington D.C. for a few years, back in the late 90’s, and it seemed like a very contrived. I mean, far be it for me to say what other people can or can’t do about their belief systems… but …
Does this mean people have to get their kids Christmas presents AND Kwanzaa presents? That’s gonna hurt the wallet some.
Elon, keep it up. George Carlin didn’t steer away from topics just because they were potentially controversial.
Posted on January 3rd, 2009 at 11:01 pm
R-SON the Voice of Reason Says:
I can’t wait for Black Blackity Black Day!! I’m taking that day off and not telling anybody why. Then, if my boss tries to fire me, I’ll question his blackness for not knowing about it!
Posted on December 28th, 2009 at 2:28 pm