An Ol’ Broad’s Ramblings
Battle Over Kwanzaa
The Kwanzaa celebration that spurred a lawsuit took place in the Shelby County Commission chambers Wednesday night as planned.
A Chancery Court judge dismissed a case Wednesday morning to block the Kwanzaa celebration from being held in the county’s main administration building at 160 N. Main, ruling that it was not a religious event.
Not religious? Did the judge read the ’seven principles’, one of which, clearly states “a time of special reverence for the creator and creation in thanks and respect for the blessings, bountifulness and beauty of creation”. When you speak of a creator, doesn’t religion come into play?
The complaint was filed last Friday by Probate Court Clerk Chris Thomas against Shelby County Government and County Commissioner Henri Brooks, who hosted the celebration.
Thomas said he was not opposed to Kwanzaa, but opposed this celebration on the grounds that other faiths were denied the right to host their own religious events. Religious symbols, such as the Nativity scene, are not allowed on county property.
I have no problem with Kwanzaa, other than it was made up by a radical dude back in the 60’s. I’m all for a peaceful celebration. However, it seems to me that this judge is favoring one culture over all others. After all, Christianity is as much part of the culture in the U.S., if not more so, as is some celebration of ‘first fruits’. I don’t know about you, but if they are going to have such a celebration, wouldn’t it make more sense to have it after the harvest season. I don’t see a lot of fruit on the trees right now. I see a lot of brown leaves on the ground though.
Kwanzaa is a seven-day cultural event honoring black and African heritage. Evans said that based on the evidence presented, “it has not been shown to be a religious celebration.”
Again, I disagree.
Bailey also noted that for the judge to block the Kwanzaa event, Thomas would have to show how this celebration causes injury.
How does a Nativity ’cause injury’? Yet, it is banned.
Thomas, in a demure black suit, told the court that physically he would not be injured, but being prevented from celebrating Christmas while others celebrate Kwanzaa “does offend me and it injures me…
“As a taxpayer, I’m injured because (county government is) using taxpayers’ money to fund this event after hours.”
Taxpayers funding? The judge made a major mistake, and opened a door to many more suits.
Because this case dealt specifically with Kwanzaa, she does not believe it sets a precedent about who and for what reasons the commission’s chambers could be used.
She’s pleased that the issue has been put to rest.
“We can always remember that truth always triumphs over evil,” she said.
Yes, truth does triumph, but they should either ban all, which I don’t approve, or embrace all, which is a much more sensible approach.
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Racism wins again.
I’m seeing Memphis as the southern version of Milwaukee (and a darker shade of Madison), just more violent. Cool place to visit, but ya couldn’t pay me to live there!