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[[Category:Observances]][[Kwanzaa]] is an [[African-American]] [[holiday]] created in 1966 by [[Ron Karenga]], and consisiting of one week of celebrating, in honor of African-American heritage. The most well known-symbol of Kwanzaa is the Kinara, a candle holder with seven candles, which bears a similar, though not necessarily intentional, appearance to the [[Jewish]][[Category:Holidays]] hanukiah used in Chanukah.  
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[[Category:Observances]][[Kwanzaa]] is an [[African-American]] [[holiday]] created in 1966 by radical Black activist [[Ron Karenga]], and consisiting of one week of celebrating, in honor of African-American heritage. The most well known-symbol of Kwanzaa is the Kinara, a candle holder with seven candles, which bears a similar, though not necessarily intentional, appearance to the [[Jewish]][[Category:Holidays]] hanukiah used during [[Hanukkah]].  
    
It's purpose is both to honor African-American heritage and to provide a holiday especially for African-Americans, so that they don't have to simply accept existing traditions, as shown by Dr. Karenga's following quote: "...it was chosen to give a Black alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society." <ref>1</ref>
 
It's purpose is both to honor African-American heritage and to provide a holiday especially for African-Americans, so that they don't have to simply accept existing traditions, as shown by Dr. Karenga's following quote: "...it was chosen to give a Black alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society." <ref>1</ref>
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==Criticism==
 
==Criticism==
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Some criticize Kwanzaa as being a secular celebration which detracts from the religious meaning of Christmas and Hanukah. One article questions why Dr. Karenga popularized Kwanzaa in winter if it is a harvest festival, the proper celebration time of which is fall. <ref>3</ref>
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Some criticize Kwanzaa as being a secular celebration, a major purpose of which is to detract from the religious meaning of Christmas and Hanukkah. One article questions why Dr. Karenga popularized Kwanzaa in winter if it is a harvest festival, the proper celebration time of which is fall. <ref>3</ref>
    
==References==
 
==References==
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