Pre-Christmas efforts to keep the Christ in Christmas is compared to a non-profit organization's efforts of keeping Kwanzaa Sacred from corporate exploitation through its membership services and advocacy.
(PRWEB) December 28, 2004 -- The non-profit organization, the African American Holiday Association (AAHA) stands in solidarity with Christian efforts waged to keep the name of Christ in pageants and holiday parades in order to keep the spirituality of Christmas from falling deeper into commercialization, paramount to AAHAs on-going campaign to keep Kwanzaa Sacred” from commercial exploitation. Sister Ayo Handy Kendi, a cultural holiday authority, founder/director of AAHA, founder of Black Love Day and a 30 year activist/wholistic practioner, will speak on the subject, The Corporate Takeover of Kwanzaa”, on Monday, December 27, 2004, the 2nd second day of Kwanzaa, at Sankofa Films, Books and Video, 2714 Georgia Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. from 6:30 - 11:00 p.m., free and open to the public. Sankofa is the headquarters of international, film-maker Haile Gerima, who will participate in this discussion along with panelists, Damu Smith, founder Black Voices for Peace; Dr. Acklyn Lynch, scholar and community activist; and BaBA Senghor Jaware Baye El, CEO, Black Star Enterprises.
Commented Handy –Kendi, this year, AAHA was approached by a market research firm, interested in knowing the extent of buying and spending habits of African Americans around Kwanzaa. We declined the interview, and stated that we were conducing our own research on a t.v. commercial that used the slogan, ChristmasHannaKwanzaa” to protest this insensitive, cultural lumping of the three seasonal holidays. While AAHA is aware of the new U.S. Post Office Kwanzaa Stamp replacement of the earlier image issued in 1997 and aware of the fact that President Bush issued a 2004 White House Kwanzaa Message, we welcome the governments recognition of African American achievements as long overdue, and dont view such recognition in the same light as big business interest in Kwanzaa. As people of African descent become more aware of their cultural identity and strive to greater support and celebrate themselves, corporate forces have attempted to market, package and sell to Black people their culture, i.e., corporations advertising Kwanzaa recipes for grocery store sales, Kwanzaa kits made outside of the Black community and Hallmark trading as Black Mahogany to capture Kwanzaa greeting card dollars.”
AAHA has witnessed such examples over the years, remaining vigilant in writing complaints to some of these co-opting forces and in 98, made a public statement with IBBMEC (International Black Buyers and Manufacturers Expo and Conference) and Baba Hannibal Afrik of the Provisional Government of the Republic of New Afrika, to keep Kwanzaa and other cultural holidays, like Dr. Martin Luther King Day and Black Love Day, Sacred.” Now in 2004, AAHA is calling on concerned individuals, founders, producers, organizers, and coordinators of commemorative holidays, special events, celebrations rituals, hero/shero recognition days and historic heritage gatherings, to come together by joining AAHAs membership with its on-going goals to strengthen advocacy for and protection of cultural holidays (wholydays), celebrations and rituals through our unified force which will increase African Diaspora purchase and bargaining power, information networking, coordination and collaboration around our commemorations to benefit the Black community.
Annual organizational membership is $30 and individuals $15, with check or money order payable to AAHA, P.O. Box 43255, Wash, D. C. 20010. Call 202-667-2577 or view AAHAs website: www.aaha-info.org AAHA also offers holiday services such as Kwanzaa candlighting ceremonies, decorating and consultations; educational presentations and storytelling; youth leadership training using cultural awareness, entrepreneurship and wellness principles. On Dec. 30, see Mama Ayo, the Kwanzaa Griot and Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaas founder, at the Richmond Kwanzaa City Celebration.
Contact Information:
AFRICAN AMERICAN HOLIDAY ASSOCIATION (AAHA)
Perpetuates and preserves culture through traditional and non-traditional holidays, celebration & rituals
P.O. Box 43255 Washington, D. C. 20010
202-667-2577 Email: aaha @ aaha-info.org www.aaha-info.org
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Rashida Thomas, P.R. Consultant,
202-667-2577 or cell 202-253-1846
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