Conspiracy theorist Marjorie Taylor Greene showed her true colors, again, while trying to diminish the meaning of Kwanzaa. Taylor made her latest ignorant statement while responding to a tweet from the College Republicans group, which tweeted, "Wishing you a happy and prosperous Kwanza."
"Stop. It’s a fake religion created by a psychopath," the conservative said in response to the tweet. "You aren’t bringing in new voters, you are turning them away. People are tired of pandering and BS."
Stop.
It’s a fake religion created by a psychopath.
You aren’t bringing in new voters, you are turning them away.
People are tired of pandering and BS. https://t.co/NrhE6O6BG5— Marjorie Taylor Greene ???????? (@mtgreenee) December 26, 2021
Greene also attempted to slander activist Maulana Karenga, who created the seven-day holiday in 1966. Karenga, who was convicted of felonious assault and false imprisonment in 1971, has insisted he was targeted because of his work in Black nationalist politics.
According to Newsweek, Karenga currently serves as chair of the Africana Studies Department at California State University, Long Beach.
Social media users tried to educate the Republican, first informing her that Kwanzaa is not a religion.
Kwanzaa isn't exactly a religion. It's a celebration of African American culture. We know that's your issue with it. Just say so.
— Melanie Seraphim ???? ????️ (@MelTheHorsegirl) December 26, 2021
Kwanza is not a religion; it is a cultural celebration of Black culture. The principles of Kwanza are worthy of celebration despite the actions of the founder.
— DrGigiB (@DrGingembre) December 27, 2021
Many other advocates also fought back as Greene and her followers tried to reverse the meaning of the holiday, which celebrates Black culture.
Naturally Happy Kwanzaa is turned into something dark and scary, & RACIST, when in fact:
Kwanzaa is a Swahili word that means "first" and signifies the first fruits of the harvest. From December 26 to January 1, many people of African descent in America-celebrate Kwanzaa.
— ????️????zen ????️???? (@ZenPeace) December 26, 2021
In fact, the name Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning “first fruits of the harvest. “ Sending happy Kwanzaa wishes to someone who celebrates is a nice way to connect and show respect for their heritage.
— Lucy (@tpetryszyn4826) December 27, 2021
Greene and her friends may not know, or don't want to know, that Kwanzaa celebrates the seven Swahili values known as the Nguzo Saba. To celebrate the seven principles, a candle is lit each day on a candleholder known as a Kinara.
As Blavity previously reported, Greene has a long history of questionable comments. When she was recently asked about being vaccinated, she said the question is a violation of her HIPAA rights. The congresswoman was also removed from the Education and Budget committees in February due to her constant bigotry toward Black people, Muslims and Jews.
“Serving on a committee is not a right, it is a privilege, and when someone encourages violence against a member they should lose that privilege. I stand here today still deeply, deeply troubled and offended by the things that she has posted and said and still not apologized for,” House Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern said, as Blavity previously reported.
