Kwanzaa traditions will look different this year, but it’s still possible to celebrate African American culture in Los Angeles.
The year-end event was created a year after 1965’s Watts riots as a way to honor African heritage and bring Black families and communities together.
Running Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, Kwanzaa is focused on seven principles rooted in the sacred teachings of Asante and Zulu harvest celebrations: Unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was easier to celebrate these principles with dance performances, parades and other in-person community events. How can you celebrate Kwanzaa while trying to stay safe at home? By lighting a candle for each principle during the weeklong holiday and embracing the principles of Kwanzaa in the new year. You can also support Black culture, businesses and restaurants. Here are nine ways to celebrate Kwanzaa in Los Angeles in
FAIRFIELD-SUISUN, CALIFORNIA
Claremont United Methodist Church put up a Nativity scene that shows Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus in front of a wall of people wearing masks and carrying signs that read “Black Lives Matter,” “I can’t breathe” and “Jesus wept,” along with Bible verses. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
Calif. church depicts Black Lives Matter protest in Nativity scene
According to the Bible, Jesus’ birth was a crowded affair – Mary and Joseph, a menagerie of animals and some shepherd visitors. But protesters?
Claremont United Methodist Church, in keeping with its tradition of eye-catching Nativity scenes, situated the Holy Family this year in front of a painting of masked people holding signs reading “I can’t breathe!” and “Black Lives Matter,” alongside Bible verses and other quotes.
SOMETIMES YOU RAP THE WINDOW, AND SOMETIMES THE WINDOW RAPS YOU
“When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.” Maria,
The Sound of Music
Return of the Jedi
In British playwright Ray Cooney’s 1990 farce
Out of Order, the catalyst for the whimsical misunderstandings and lighthearted tomfoolery is a defective sash window that violently slams down when opened.
As a theatrical gag, it’s a decent idea. In real life, it’s downright hilarious.
Last week, a budding rapper (aren’t they all?) named Jonathan Hernandez-Zuluaga who went by the stage name Taz UFO decided to rob a home in Lee County, Fla. That’s the problem with “budding” as a profession…the pay really sucks. And the 32-year-old dreadlocked father of five realized that “budding” wasn’t gonna be puttin’ no presents under the tree this year for the kids he couldn’t support. So of course burglary was the solution! After all, the dude had a lengthy rap sheet for theft and larceny (he
Calif. church depicts Black Lives Matter protest in Nativity scene [Los Angeles Times :: BC-RELIG-NATIVITY-BLACKLIVESMATTER:LA]
According to the Bible, Jesus’ birth was a crowded affair Mary and Joseph, a menagerie of animals and some shepherd visitors. But protesters?
Claremont United Methodist Church, in keeping with its tradition of eye-catching Nativity scenes, situated the Holy Family this year in front of a painting of masked people holding signs reading “I can’t breathe!” and “Black Lives Matter,” alongside Bible verses and other quotes.
“We couldn’t think of any other issue that we wanted to keep under the light of the Bethlehem star than the need to address racism,” said the Rev. Karen Clark Ristine, the church’s senior minister.