Wisconsin state Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) slammed Kwanzaa, claiming "almost no black people" care about the holiday.
"Almost no black people today care about Kwanzaa -- just white left-wingers who try to shove this down black people's throats in an effort to divide Americans," Grothman said in a press release, according to Patch.
"Why must we still hear about Kwanzaa?" Grothman asked. "Why are hard-core left wingers still trying to talk about Kwanzaa -- the supposed African-American holiday celebration between Christmas and New Year’s?"
Grothman slammed "irresponsible public school districts" in Wisconsin for trying "to tell a new generation that blacks have a separate holiday than Christians." His comments were heavily criticized, with one Democratic party leader calling the remarks "absolutely jaw-dropping."
Patch's Adam W. McCoy reports:
His comments about Kwanzaa outraged a leader with the Democratic Party of Ozaukee County, who called on the senator to retract his statements.
"Senator Grothman seems to outdo himself every time he opens his mouth," said Meg Moen, treasure of the county Democratic Party. "His recent press release about Kwanzaa was absolutely jaw-dropping. Not only does Senator Grothman seem to find his inherit racism acceptable, he implores people to follow his lead and question a holiday that African-Americans have been celebrating for years.
"He, as usual, blames progressives and teachers, for respecting all traditions, and having the audacity to include every holiday and tradition that occurs around this time every year," Moen added. "That press release is absolutely disgusting and drips with disdain for African-Americans and, therefore, I am calling on him to retract his statements."
This isn't the first time Grothman has found himself in hot water over controversial remarks. In March 2012, he was heavily criticized for saying "unwanted or mistimed" pregnancies are the “choice of the women” who should learn "that this is a mistake.”
Before You Go
