The Cookout

Jay · 12/14/22

If you are tell us how you’re celebrating it. If you’re not, tell us why and what you’re doing instead if anything.

I’m celebrating it because in the end it’s benign. It’s not like the 4th of July where celebrating it is being happy that our slave master won a battle against the racist imperial army.

So to me I see nothing wrong with putting up a tree and having presents. The trees are beautiful, give good ambiance, and it’s a good reason for the family to get together. Also right next to the tree is a huge picture of Malcolm X so my son can never get conflicted.

The Haze Of Our Lives · 12/14/22

No. That died when my Grandfather passed X-mas morning 1996.

blackice_ATL · 12/14/22

nope. Not celebrating Christmas or replacing it with anything else. The tree, the decorations, everything is part of a pagan ritual that I don't want my family to be a part of. --- basically, if the system of white supremacy celebrates it, I question it.

As an Israelite, I also use this as a reference. - Jeremiah 10:1-4

"Hear ye the word which Yah speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith Yah, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not."

Jay · 12/14/22

The Haze Of Our Lives said:
No. That died when my Grandfather passed X-mas morning 1996.

Sorry to hear that brother. How are you holding up?

blackice_ATL said:
nope. Not celebrating Christmas or replacing it with anything else. The tree, the decorations, everything is part of a pagan ritual that I don't want my family to be a part of. --- basically, if the system of white supremacy celebrates it, I question it.

As an Israelite, I also use this as a reference. - Jeremiah 10:1-4

"Hear ye the word which Yah speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith Yah, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not."

You not even gon' celebrate Arutisuse? You're a sellout. You're off the Lunch Break...this was the final straw. But I feel you on the pagan-ness of it. All of it is some made up Roman Empire bullcrap but my son about to get a "Introductory to STEM: play set under the tree so there's good with the weirdness.

blackice_ATL · 12/14/22

Jay said:
You not even gon' celebrate Arutisuse? You're a sellout. You're off the Lunch Break...this was the final straw. But I feel you on the pagan-ness of it. All of it is some made up Roman Empire bullcrap but my son about to get a "Introductory to STEM: play set under the tree so there's good with the weirdness.

lol. I'm gonna roast every person I see celebrating Aruisuse. They deserve it.

Troy · 12/14/22

I'm celebrating it 100 and DGAF what anyone thinks or says. I remember one of my best friends growing up was JW and that nigga couldn't celebrate shit. No cake on his b-day, no Easter egg hunts, no halloween and I vowed to never put my kid through that. So we talk about real shit during the holidays but we still celebrate them so she doesn't feel left out.

"baby girl the tree is beautiful and we have these presents let's be grateful...now family let's take a picture. On the count of 3 say fuck George Washington and smile...1, 2,3 "

blackice_ATL said:
lol. I'm gonna roast every person I see celebrating Aruisuse. They deserve it.

Last night Taharka Bey called it FBA Christmas.

JerriBun · 12/14/22

blackice_ATL said:
nope. Not celebrating Christmas or replacing it with anything else. The tree, the decorations, everything is part of a pagan ritual that I don't want my family to be a part of.

As an Israelite, I also use this as a reference. - Jeremiah 10:1-4

"Hear ye the word which Yah speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith Yah, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not."

Copying and pasting what blackice_ATL said. We don't do Christmas here. Just another day for me and my family. We do honor YAH's Holy Days throughout the year, that's plenty for us.

blackice_ATL · 12/14/22

Troy said:
we still celebrate them so she doesn't feel left out.

i think that's part of the problem. Why do we have to feel included within a culture that hates us??

blackice_ATL · 12/14/22

Troy said:
Last night Taharka Bey called it FBA Christmas.

that's hilarious. lol

Drakbluud · 12/14/22

Not really, though I do enjoy some good christmas cheer. Good food. Giving gifts. I’ll always appreciate…

Troy · 12/14/22

blackice_ATL said:
i think that's part of the problem. Why do we have to feel included within a culture that hates us??

It’s not about feeling included in the culture it’s about not feeling excluded when everyone is talking about presents and you didn’t get any because your parents felt like they have to make a statement. My daughter will get presents and be in tune with her Blackness and our struggle all at the same time.

Drakbluud · 12/14/22

blackice_ATL said:
i think that's part of the problem. Why do we have to feel included within a culture that hates us??

Well it kinda sucks when you’re a kid and social isolation can be pretty detrimental. If you’re kid’s growing up in a hostile environment, better that they get experience young— as opposed to isolating them and then they have no social experience or intelligence.

blackice_ATL · 12/14/22

Drakbluud said:
Well it kinda sucks when you’re a kid and social isolation can be pretty detrimental. If you’re kid’s growing up in a hostile environment, better that they get experience young— as opposed to isolating them and then they have no social experience or intelligence.

i think history has proven integration has been detrimental. and you should change up their social circle as soon as possible so they won't feel isolated.
for example, there's a muslim neighborhood near me, the adults nor the kids celebrate any of this and they're handling it well. But they're also surrounded by their own and like-minded people.

blackice_ATL · 12/14/22

Troy said:
It’s not about feeling included in the culture it’s about not feeling excluded when everyone is talking about presents and you didn’t get any because your parents felt like they have to make a statement. My daughter will get presents and be in tune with her Blackness and our struggle all at the same time.

i think teaching kids as young as possible what the truth is, they can handle it better. at some point we have to change the pattern if we want to see real change. my son will grow up receiving gifts throughout the year, instead waiting til the end of the year with everyone else.

and surrounding our children around like-minded people will prevent the feeling of isolation.

YahudahQueen96 · 12/14/22

No. I haven’t celebrated since 2015. My household doesn’t do Christmas. It doesn’t stop us from seeing our family though. They know my household don’t do these holidays. I believe some people are starting to realize it’s a joke. Spending money on gifts and putting up a tree every December doesn’t make sense. Christmas actually has pagan roots and is not about the true messiah.

Bahni.Klyde.Reacts · 12/14/22

Klyde here, I am not nor do I think Bahni will either.

Holiday(holyday) was played out for me when I was out onto what was really going on in the worlds at 13.

The Haze Of Our Lives · 12/14/22

Jay said:
Sorry to hear that brother. How are you holding up?

You not even gon' celebrate Arutisuse? You're a sellout. You're off the Lunch Break...this was the final straw. But I feel you on the pagan-ness of it. All of it is some made up Roman Empire bullcrap but my son about to get a "Introductory to STEM: play set under the tree so there's good with the weirdness.

Hey brother Jay!

I am healing still but the movement in my neck is becoming more flexible with the home PT IO am getting weekly. How was your cruise? What ports of call did you visit? I was hoping to go fly my bird but my silly ass forgot to charge the batteries. Anywho my better half is really taking care of me, I am so blessed to have her in my life.

Jay · 12/14/22

The Haze Of Our Lives said:
Hey brother Jay!

I am healing still but the movement in my neck is becoming more flexible with the home PT IO am getting weekly. How was your cruise? What ports of call did you visit? I was hoping to go fly my bird but my silly ass forgot to charge the batteries. Anywho my better half is really taking care of me, I am so blessed to have her in my life.

I’m glad you’re doing well and are in good spirits. My cruise was excellent I hit Catalina island and Ensenada.

ArYkathaGOAT · 12/14/22

Jay said:
If you are tell us how you’re celebrating it. If you’re not, tell us why and what you’re doing instead if anything.

I’m celebrating it because in the end it’s benign. It’s not like the 4th of July where celebrating it is being happy that our slave master won a battle against the racist imperial army.

So to me I see nothing wrong with putting up a tree and having presents. The trees are beautiful, give good ambiance, and it’s a good reason for the family to get together. Also right next to the tree is a huge picture of Malcolm X so my son can never get conflicted.

View attachment 5844

I've decided to recognize ALL HOLIDAYS. Only because I don't want to feel like I'm DEPRIVING my son of anything. I grew up extremely religious SEVENTH-DAY Adventist also studied Jehovah Witness. As Jehovah witness don't even celebrate birthdays when I was 6years old we didn't even get birthday cakes anymore. ..... Then come to find out other members of those congregations were STILL partaking of what they call celebrations in the world or idolize worship... 😩 .... So I celebrate everything even Cinco de Mayo 😂😭🤣 ....

ArYkathaGOAT · 12/14/22

Just to follow up I don't teach lies though, 🤭 I teach the spirit of the season.... I don't teach my son that there's a white man breaking into my house to leave anything behind 😆 and when we were celebrating him losing baby teeth and gaining permanent teeth... I told him that we give dollars because George Washington is the tooth fairy 😩🤣 😭 who stole black people's teeth because they were so healthy and his were rotten 😆 🤣 .....

Hell Johnson · 12/14/22

I stopped celebrating Christmas because I can buy my own gifts & the Bible is a comic book full of super heroes written by dim wits with limited imaginations.

Jay · 12/14/22

ArYkathaGOAT said:
I've decided to recognize ALL HOLIDAYS. Only because I don't want to feel like I'm DEPRIVING my son of anything. I grew up extremely religious SEVENTH-DAY Adventist also studied Jehovah Witness. As Jehovah witness don't even celebrate birthdays when I was 6years old we didn't even get birthday cakes anymore. ..... Then come to find out other members of those congregations were STILL partaking of what they call celebrations in the world or idolize worship... 😩 .... So I celebrate everything even Cinco de Mayo 😂😭🤣 ....

Exactly how I feel eventhough I didn’t have a fundamentalist upbringing like you did. My son is really culturally Black and “militant” so to speak so I don’t feel like giving him a little joy is poisoning him.

I think the important thing to remember is that we are Black and American so there is a duality there. Next year is going to be my first day celebrating Malcolm X day. Ima turn it into a holiday in my family.

ShermX69X · 12/14/22

I hate Chris..

Never mind...

Stan Zero · 12/14/22

I usually put up a tree every year and give out presents to fam and friends. I don't take it as seriously as I did when I was growing up, but I still love the feeling of getting my family gifts to end out the year.

I also like driving around town and seeing all the crazy Christmas decorations. It really adds to the nostalgia for me.

TekhNiqo · 12/14/22

I take the opportunity to spend time with my family and as time has passed my family has been less about the "buying gifts" aspect and simply getting together. At first I rejected the holiday because I told myself when you know better you do better and I still feel that way BUT I use it to take advantage and show face because I feel that's important especially for myself and those close to my age because soon we will be the leaders of our family and soon we will be in charge of getting everyone together. We could call it whatever but any excuse is a good excuse to get together with family. I don't care for carols, stockings or trees and as long as my family is cool with that then I'm cool. Maybe one day we will have our own nationally recognized holiday (as far as Black people I don't care if other groups acknowledge it or not) that can replace all of these Bakra/Temehu traditions but for now I'll improvise

cjg · 12/14/22

Jay said:
I think the important thing to remember is that we are Black and American so there is a duality there. Next year is going to be my first day celebrating Malcolm X day. Ima turn it into a holiday in my family.

That sounds awesome ... I've gone to celebrations outside of the home, but never anything personal.. I think I might join you in that ..

Jay · 12/14/22

cjg said:
That sounds awesome ... I've gone to celebrations outside of the home, but never anything personal.. I think I might join you in that ..

It’s the perfect day to celebrate and it is educational too. That brotha rode for us and we should always hold him high. Right above my workstation.

The Haze Of Our Lives · 12/14/22

Jay said:
I’m glad you’re doing well and are in good spirits. My cruise was excellent I hit Catalina island and Ensenada.

Do ppl live on Catalina island? Did you take pix or video?

Linda Jones · 12/14/22

Jay said:
If you are tell us how you’re celebrating it. If you’re not, tell us why and what you’re doing instead if anything.

I’m celebrating it because in the end it’s benign. It’s not like the 4th of July where celebrating it is being happy that our slave master won a battle against the racist imperial army.

So to me I see nothing wrong with putting up a tree and having presents. The trees are beautiful, give good ambiance, and it’s a good reason for the family to get together. Also right next to the tree is a huge picture of Malcolm X so my son can never get conflicted.

Jay said:

If you are tell us how you’re celebrating it. If you’re not, tell us why and what you’re doing instead if anything.

I’m celebrating it because in the end it’s benign. It’s not like the 4th of July where celebrating it is being happy that our slave master won a battle against the racist imperial army.

So to me I see nothing wrong with putting up a tree and having presents. The trees are beautiful, give good ambiance, and it’s a good reason for the family to get together. Also right next to the tree is a huge picture of Malcolm X so my son can never get conflicted.

View attachment 5844

Click to expand...

i love it!

Jay · 12/14/22

The Haze Of Our Lives said:
Do ppl live on Catalina island? Did you take pix or video?

Yes people do. It’s very secluded and small though. Here’s a pic of it from a far.

JerriBun · 12/14/22

Hell Johnson said:
the Bible is a comic book full of super heroes written by dim wits with limited imaginations

Oof, disrespectful much? Christmas has nothing to do with the Bible. It's actually mentioned to not celebrate it. Before you say a text is written by dim wits, make sure you actually know what it says.

josiah starr · 12/14/22

No. I'll be working.

The Haze Of Our Lives · 12/14/22

Jay said:
Yes people do. It’s very secluded and small though. Here’s a pic of it from a far.

View attachment 5864

Great picture!

Jay · 12/14/22

josiah starr said:
No. I'll be working.

You on Christmas.

ZxBro · 12/14/22

Nah I don't celebrate it I just decided that we all have our own paths to follow and our own journeys to complete we may not all want or see the world the same but our Blackness connects us that's why we say Black First! I don't care what the next Black man or woman believes or how they live their lives are you ON CODE is the measure. Y'all Enjoy the time with family and friends don't forget Dr. Clarke's Birthday is January 1st! Arutituse! And B1✊🏿
Omar vs Santa

ArYkathaGOAT · 12/15/22

ShermX69X said:
I hate Chris..

Never mind...

😭😆

SupremeTankHeadNetic · 12/15/22

Man this is a toughie subject!My wife is crime Guyana and this is a big time of the year for them as a culture and Boxing.Me on the other hand I like to creat my own traditions.Long story short this was a fight that lasted for years.I don’t fuck with Pagan holidays.I love this woman had three kids with her so it’s one of them Unresolved issues

Jay_Judah202 · 12/15/22

Troy said:
It’s not about feeling included in the culture it’s about not feeling excluded when everyone is talking about presents and you didn’t get any because your parents felt like they have to make a statement. My daughter will get presents and be in tune with her Blackness and our struggle all at the same time.

If you get the kids presents throughout the year Christmas won't mean shit to them.

Deleted member 1348 · 12/15/22

If I'm in town I celebrate it with family or friends. At this point, its not about the original meaning. It's purely a time when you connect with people in your circle. Secondarily if there are kids, you do it for them as well.
They shouldn't be left out from presents like their friends at school. If something is for kids, I am an advocate to do it. Which means Halloween and Christmas and if its easter and the local church or city got an Easter Egg hunt, yeah, I'd do that for the little kids as well. It's about their childhood.

Paid1nFull · 12/15/22

I will be exchanging gift with family, because they celebrate Christmas. I tell my coworkers I celebrate Christmas and may even say Merry Christmas to people. But I'm not putting up a tree or having any decorations and will be shopping with Black Owned Businesses for the majority of gifts. When I have my own family, I think I'll replace Christmas with Kwanzaa.

GwynShivers · 12/15/22

Jay said:
Yes people do. It’s very secluded and small though. Here’s a pic of it from a far.

View attachment 5864

My youngest daughter took me on my very first cruise there, it's very beautiful!

Sapphire · 12/15/22

Anything that brings the family together and strengthens the family unit is a GOOD THING. I don't agree with all the pagan nonsense with our holidays in America but Christmas for my family will always be about us coming together and being thankful for each other. I don't don't do a tree but I do go to my parents' and still help my mom set up their tree. It is a tradition of ours. My youngest bro still lives with them but he don't always wanna help her.

GwynShivers · 12/15/22

Sapphire said:
Anything that brings the family together and strengthens the family unit is a GOOD THING. I don't agree with all the pagan nonsense with our holidays in America but Christmas for my family will always be about us coming together and being thankful for each other. I don't don't do a tree but I do go to my parents' and still help my mom set up their tree. It is a tradition of ours. My youngest bro still lives with them but he don't always wanna help her.

Family should ALWAYS celebrate each other & it shouldn't take a pagan holiday to do it. Everyday the Most High awakens you, is a celebration. 🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽

Jay · 12/15/22

GwynShivers said:
My youngest daughter took me on my very first cruise there, it's very beautiful!

That’s awesome. You were in CA?

ShermX69X · 12/15/22

SupremeTankHeadNetic said:
Man this is a toughie subject!My wife is crime Guyana and this is a big time of the year for them as a culture and Boxing.Me on the other hand I like to creat my own traditions.Long story short this was a fight that lasted for years.I don’t fuck with Pagan holidays.I love this woman had three kids with her so it’s one of them Unresolved issues

Don't ever fold brother; continue to handle it like a boss! ✊🏾😉

Deleted member 1504 · 12/15/22

Yes I celebrate Christmas, decorate the house, listen to holiday music, drink eggnog, eat sweets, take time off work, buy inexpensive presents for the kids and gift cards for the teenagers. We don’t overthink it. We decompress and celebrate the season

Princess El-Bey · 12/15/22

Im visiting family that I haven’t seen all year.. so we are celebrating time off the rat race and each other.. everyone’s grown.. the little ones, nieces and nephews will get toys.. but Im not big on the Christmas Story anymore. Who came up with that?

GwynShivers · 12/15/22

Jay said:
That’s awesome. You were in CA?

Yes, I was born & raised in San Francisco. I can tell you things about that city that doesn't exist now, from age 5 until I left nearly 7 years ago.

josiah starr · 12/15/22

Jay said:
You on Christmas.

Yep.....and it will be extremely cold....

A.B. · 12/15/22

Jay said:
If you are tell us how you’re celebrating it. If you’re not, tell us why and what you’re doing instead if anything.

I’m celebrating it because in the end it’s benign. It’s not like the 4th of July where celebrating it is being happy that our slave master won a battle against the racist imperial army.

So to me I see nothing wrong with putting up a tree and having presents. The trees are beautiful, give good ambiance, and it’s a good reason for the family to get together. Also right next to the tree is a huge picture of Malcolm X so my son can never get conflicted.

View attachment 5844

No I don't, I don't want to mess up any of my chances making it upstairs.

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