Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene called out Kwanzaa, a six-day-long winter holiday meant to celebrate African-American culture, as being a "fake religion" that was "created by a psychopath."
The Georgia representative's comment was in response to a tweet made by the College Republicans on December 26, the first day of Kwanzaa, where they wished everyone a "happy and prosperous Kwanzaa."
"Stop. It's a fake religion created by a psychopath," Greene tweeted. "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
Her tweet had already received backlash, some outraged and some amused, as the congresswoman erroneously referred to Kwanzaa, a holiday, as an entire religious faith.
"Ahh yes, the religion known as Kwanzaaa. Celebrated by Kwanzians," replied one Twitter user. "I will never forget my years in Christmas school which led to my confirmation as a Christmasic."
Ahh yes, the religion known as Kwanzaaa. Celebrated by Kwanzians. I will never forget my years in Christmas school which led to my confirmation as a Christmasic.
— Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) December 27, 2021
The holiday itself was made in the 1960s by activist and professor Maulana Karenga as a distinctly African-American holiday derived from traditions from throughout Africa. It was initially meant to be an alternative to Christmas, as Karenga believed Christianity to be an inherently "white" religion. However, it is not barred from practicing Christians and was never meant to be an alternative religion altogether.
The holiday lasts six days and culminates on January 1.
It is unclear why Greene referred to Kwanzaa as a religion or its creator as a psychopath, though the latter may be due to Karenga being convicted in 1971 of assault and torture of female victims, something he continues to deny to this day.
Republicans have often wished people a Happy Kwanzaa in honor of the holiday. Some, such as the College Republicans and Ohio Republicans, continue to do so.
But Greene isn't the only Republican politician with controversial views about Kwanzaa.
Kwanza is fake
— Rep. Anthony Sabatini (@AnthonySabatini) December 26, 2021
"Kwanza [sic] is fake," tweeted Florida State Rep. Anthony Sabatini.
Nobody cares about Kwanza. One more reason #RonnaMustGo. #Cringe https://t.co/aPr0EoeuIJ
— Wendy Rogers (@WendyRogersAZ) December 26, 2021
"Nobody cares about Kwanza [sic]," tweeted Arizona State Sen. Wendy Rogers.