Ripped Bam on Kwanzaa, now issues greeting
THE WAR ON Kwanzaa is over.
President Trump issued a brief statement on Tuesday acknowledging the start of the African heritage festival — after once sharing a story that called it a “fake holiday.”
The gesture follows a long tradition of Kwanzaa well wishes issued by the White House, but rang hollow as Trump once criticized former President Barack Obama over a similar statement.
Trump tweeted in 2011 (photo right) that the then-commanderin-chief “issued a statement for Kwanza but failed to issue one for Christmas.”
Trump misspelled Kwanzaa — it’s typically spelled with two a’s at the end of the word — and included a link to a story by the conservative website Gateway Pundit that referred to the seven-day celebration as a “fake holiday.”
Obama wished Americans a “Merry Christmas” from his Twitter account that year, much like Trump did on Tuesday.
The White House did not issue a formal Christmas statement from Trump.
The President has taken credit for ending the proverbial “war on Christmas” and railed against using the politically correct term “happy holidays.”
“People are proud to be saying Merry Christmas again. I am proud to have led the charge against the assault of our cherished and beautiful phrase. MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!!! ” he tweeted on Christmas Eve.
For years, Trump wished “happy holidays” to his followers on Twitter before he began using “Merry Christmas” in 2011 — about the same time his political ambitions became public.
Obama wished people a “Merry Christmas” every year while he was in office, often in official holiday season videos, statements or at the national Christmas tree lighting, despite Trump’s assertions otherwise.
For years, sitting Presidents have issued statements recognizing most major celebrations that are enjoyed around the holiday season — including Kwanzaa, Christmas and Chanukah. Besides Obama, both former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush issued Kwanzaa greetings each year.
Trump’s statement came from the official White House press office while the President was hitting the links at one of his golf courses in Florida.
“Together, let us celebrate during this joyous time the richness of the past and look with hope toward a brighter future,” Trump said in the statement. “As families and friends join to light the Kinara, Melania and I extend our warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season and a prosperous year to come.”
Kwanzaa, the African-American celebration that incorporates values from Africa with western tradition, kicked off Tuesday.
The African Burial Ground in lower Manhattan hosted a ceremonial lighting and workshops in head wrapping and African doll making.
“It’s very touching, especially because of our ancestors being here,” said Jim Cleckley, supervisor of the museum.
Over 250 people attended different events at the museum celebrating the annual start of the holiday.
Kwanzaa, which means “first fruits of the harvest” in Swahili, was founded by activist Maulana Karena in 1966. Each day of the holiday highlights a principle — unity, self-determination, responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.