Several far-left Democratic lawmakers drew attention this week after holding a Kwanzaa celebration inside the halls of Congress, choosing to spotlight the cultural holiday rather than Christmas as the year came to a close.
Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, and Delia Ramirez of Illinois gathered for the event, which they dubbed “Squanzaa.” Former Democratic Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri also took part. The lawmakers are collectively known as “The Squad,” a progressive bloc within the Democratic Party known for its staunchly left-wing positions.
Rep. Tlaib shared footage of the gathering on Instagram, showing members and staff assembled around a kinara — the Kwanzaa candle holder — adorned with seven candles in red, green, and black. The candles are meant to represent seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
“We had a Squanzaa celebration today to show our love and support for our incredible teams,” Tlaib wrote. “Our staff show up every day ready to fight for our communities and they do it with love. Our squad is big and it includes everyone who is justice for all.”
Kwanzaa is observed annually from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 and is intended to honor African heritage and culture, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Unlike Christmas, Kwanzaa is a secular, nonreligious holiday.
Public displays of Kwanzaa by politicians have frequently ignited criticism, including from within the black community, as the holiday is observed by a relatively small percentage of Americans. Surveys and estimates over the years suggest that only about 2–3 percent of the population plan to celebrate Kwanzaa in any given year. Critics argue that highly publicized Kwanzaa events by elected officials often function more as symbolic or performative gestures than reflections of a serious cultural practice.
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Maulana Ndabezitha Karenga, a black nationalist activist who later was convicted of serious crimes. Karenga designed the holiday as a pan-African cultural observance rather than a religious one, emphasizing communal values and identity. Its origins and creator have long been the subject of controversy, particularly among critics who question its place in public or political settings.
Photos shared on social media also showed Rep. Summer Lee participating in the Squad’s Kwanzaa festivities earlier in the week, shortly before Christmas. The images and videos quickly circulated online, prompting mixed reactions and renewed debate over the role of cultural and political symbolism in Congress.
The “Squanzaa” event comes amid broader discussions about identity politics, cultural recognition, and how lawmakers choose to publicly engage with both major and manufactured holidays.
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Why is it that three of the Squad Four are so unhappy looking. Actually, sour looking. But #4 Ilhan is smiling because she does the story telling. Could it be that she’s the only one who can lie and smile at the same time?