Adoption

Holidays for a transracial family?

We traditionally celebrate Christmas, it's as cultural as it is religious for us but now that we have Iz in our lives we are wondering if it would be in her best interest to celebrate Kwanzaa as well.  We don't know if she celebrated Kwanzaa before she came to us (we doubt it) but feel that exposing her to the meaning and symbolism will empower her.

If you are a transracial family, how do you celebrate?  Do you include different cultures and religions?

Re: Holidays for a transracial family?

  •  I'm black, and so is my son, but my husband is white. Kwanza is not a very popular holiday among the black community in my area. In fact there isn't a single family that I know of who celebrates it.  I have never celebrated Kwanza and we probably never will.

    That being said we do incorporate the different foods our families eat and the different traditions we have around the holidays. 

    ETA: in my honest opinion it's not a disservice to not celebrate Kwanza, and unless it's a popular holiday among the black community in your area, I probably wouldn't celebrate it.

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  • We won't be celebrating Kwanzaa, both because we are Christians and raising our son in that faith as well AND because his biological family doesn't celebrate Kwanzaa either. 
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  • I don't know one single black person who celebrates Kwanzaa (and I know, and am related to a crapton) and in fact, most of my friends and family laughed or rolled their eyes when I mentioned celebrating it for Edith's sake. The general consensus seemed to be that it was a made-up holiday.
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  • We only celebrate Kwanzaa because we join friends of ours in their family celebration.  I dont think we would celebrate otherwise because their mother doesnt identify as african-american  (and its not so much a black holiday as it is an AA one).

    Will say, though, that I love the principles behind the candles.

  • imagectbride08:

    We only celebrate Kwanzaa because we join friends of ours in their family celebration.  I dont think we would celebrate otherwise because their mother doesnt identify as african-american  (and its not so much a black holiday as it is an AA one).

    Will say, though, that I love the principles behind the candles.

    Me too!  I think if we don't celebrate it in full that we will at least talk to her about the Seven principles and we will light the candles.

  • I'm Black and don't know one single person who celebrates Kwanza.  I doubt very seriously if your dd celebrated Kwanzaa so don't worry about it.  Just start your own Holiday traditions. 
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