@ Shannon:

To the contrary, I actually think that Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are too busy collecting money from "personal interest groups" to sign up for this one. I find it interesting that neither Jesse nor Rev. Sharpton signed up to deal with the light-skinned party" either: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21367799/

I wasn't offended by the concept of this party, especially since I probably have enough white girlfriends to get a few people in for free!

Are you freaking kidding me?? Did everyone miss the point about "BRING A WHITE GIRL"??
If the flyer said "Bring a black girl" it would be RACIST! Good Lord, we'd have Jesse Jackson and all the other self-righteous self-proclaimed black leaders with their lawyers suing the club owner for every penny they're worth!
But the only thing anyone seems to be concerned with is if they know anything about kwanzaa, is it just me or is that the most IRRELEVANT part of this whole story!

"To promote racial harmony"
HA! What a freaking joke!

I think it's mildly funny. Wasn't offended.

In the spirit of racial harmony... ha.

We should celebrate the legacy of ALL African American pioneers, no matter what day of the month it is. Go to work, get an education, start and raise a family, do something!

Dear JW Richard and Kia's Smile,

I am as much a stickler for facts as the both of you seem to be. So let's be clear about what I exactly wrote:

"...let's just remember that to many, Black History Month is another farce put in place to somehow make Black folks feel relevant, much as some feel Kwanzaa is completely irrelevant because it is indeed a made-up holiday."

I did not write that I personally feel that way, but others certainly do as I wrote above. And, yes, JW Richard, all holidays are indeed "made-up," but in the grand scheme of things, it is Kwanzaa that has taken the fall for being "made-up," by the simple fact that it was conceived a little 40 years ago. By virtue of this fact, it will take the hit of being thought of as illegitimate to others because it has only been present on their radar for such a shorter period of time as any other holiday found in December or January.

My point with this op-ed piece was to examine Prince Paul's possible motive behind having a celebratory function that could initially seem very insulting but possibly was meant to motivate people to examine what they have been doing for Black History month, much as many people clamored for MLK Day to be a holiday, but do nothing to honor his legacy on their day off.

And one last thing, I am speaking in general terms when I stated that some people have been too lazy to learn more than what is peripherally required about their own history, so, Kia's Smile, I am happy that you and your peoples know your history and the principles of Kwanzaa as well. I too know all 7, but that might be because I was named after one of them.

Salaam Alaikum,
Imani

I totally agree with the 1st commentor. I love soulbounce so luckily this is the only post that has caused my side eye to twitch.

All holidays celebrations have been made up to commemorate an event or to create traditions.
I dont know about you, but I actually do know the principles of Kwanzaa. Could be due to my upbringing though.

And Black History month will only be considered "McDonald's or KFC placemats with images of Martin Luther King or Harriet Tubman" if YOU are "too lazy to do more research than is required to learn about our own history". It has never been that to me or to anybody else I know.

Commercialism has infiltrated the mainstream acknowledgement of every holiday, but that doesnt diminish it's importance unless you let it.

Disappointed with this article, but I guess I cant be happy about everything.

Uh, unless you know of a holy day before the dawn of man, all holidays are "made-up". They will be what we make them to be.