08/14/10
Ramadan Dinner and STILL no sign of Kwanzaa in The White House...
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This is a no-brainer. Even in this unfortunately Muslim-hostile climate the annual iftan dinner continues to be a tradition in the White House, most recently observed by our President, Barack Obama. Why isn't Kwanzaa among the list of religious and non-religious holidays recognized in the White House? It is up to THIS administration to instate tradition!
Click HERE to read full coverage on Obama's Ramadan dinner. |
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12/29/09
President Obama released the following statement on Kwanzaa, published in the L.A. Times blog section on December 28, 2009. The statement received little to no additional coverage. Special thanks to http://imperfect-black.blogspot.com for sifting through the media to find it:
December 28, 2009 | 7:46 pm
Statement by President Obama and Michelle Obama on Kwanzaa
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Michelle and I send warm wishes to all those celebrating Kwanzaa this holiday season.
This is a joyous time of year when African Americans and all Americans come together to celebrate our blessings and the richness of our cultural traditions. This is also a time of reflection and renewal as we come to the end of one year and the beginning of another.
The Kwanzaa message tells us that we should recall the lessons of the past even as we seize the promise of tomorrow. |
The seven principles of Kwanzaa - Unity, Self Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith - express the values that have inspired us as individuals and families; communities and country.
These same principles have sustained us as a nation during our darkest hours and provided hope for better days to come. Michelle and I know the challenges facing many African American families and families in all communities at this time, but we also know the spirit of perseverance and hope that is ever present in the community.
It is in this spirit that our family extends our prayers and best wishes during this season and for the New Year to come. ####
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12/27/09
Journey of the USPS Kwanzaa Commemorative Stamp
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The United States Postal Service reissued the Kwanzaa stamp this year; the fourth edition since the USPS issued the first 32 cent Kwanzaa commemorative stamp in 1997.
The USPS issued the following statement on their web site:
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"The U.S. Postal Service celebrates Kwanzaa, a non-religious holiday that takes place over seven days from December 26 to January 1. Kwanzaa draws on African traditions and takes its name from the phrase for "first fruits" in Swahili, a widely spoken African language.Stamp artist Lloyd McNeill of New York City, under the direction of Carl T. Herrman, created this new, festive, highly symbolic design to celebrate the holiday.
The bold colors in the stamp art are complemented in the top right corner by the colors of the Kwanzaa flag — green for growth, red for blood, and black for the African people — which are the same colors as the Pan-African flag. The field of green around the borders symbolizes growth and a bountiful harvest. In the hoop that the girl holds in her hands, as well as in the family grouping of mother, father, and child, McNeill symbolized unity. This is the third stamp design issued by the U.S. Postal Service in celebration of Kwanzaa. The first Kwanzaa commemorative stamp was issued in 1997. Thirty million 44-cent First-Class stamps, available in" sheets of 20, go on sale tomorrow.
CLICK HERE to view the full USPS Press Release for 2009 Holiday Stamps. |
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Designed by artist Synthia Saint James, the first Kwanzaa stamp was re-valued three times, in 1999, 2001, and 2002, with a total of 133 million Kwanzaa stamps produced in the first year alone.
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In 2004, a new Kwanzaa stamp was designed by Daniel Minter. Minter's design, which was intended to convey "balanced formality with a celebratory, festive mood" was reissued in 2007. |
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CLICK HERE to view a USPS Press Release for the Kwanzaa Commemorative stamp
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Kwanzaa stamp article: http://www.holidays.net/kwanzaa/stamp.htm |
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CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR SIGNATURE TO THE PETITION
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