‘Racist dogwhistle?’ City of New York tweets ‘candle safety’ advice for Kwanzaa revelers

Posted at 1:43 pm on December 26, 2013 by Sarah D.

Today’s the first day of Kwanzaa, and the City of New York decided to remind local revelers about the importance of practicing safe candle:

@nycgov candle safety tweet

The tweet’s been deleted, but we’re still feeling its burn.

Wait. @NYCGov tweeted "candle safety tips" for Kwanzaa but not for Hanukkah? Is that right, @CatsPolitics?

— RB (@RBPundit) December 26, 2013

@RBPundit @nycgov @CatsPolitics * coughs * yes.

— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) December 26, 2013

Here’s what @nycgov had to say about other wintertime holidays where candles could make an appearance:

.@NYCSanitation: No trash/recycling pickups or street sweeping on Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25: http://t.co/Z2W9g8IHyq

— City of New York (@nycgov) December 23, 2013

Tomorrow is #Christmas. Government offices are closed. @nycasp, meters, mail and sanitation are suspended. More info: http://t.co/K2hknzIVNH

— City of New York (@nycgov) December 24, 2013

Alternate side parking will be suspended tomorrow, Wed Dec 25, for Christmas. Meters will NOT be in effect. Follow @NYCASP for updates.

— City of New York (@nycgov) December 24, 2013

#NYCASP rules are suspended today, Wednesday, December 25, for Christmas. Parking meters are not in effect.

— City of New York (@nycgov) December 25, 2013

Wishing New York City a very Merry Christmas and happy holidays from @nycgov.

— City of New York (@nycgov) December 25, 2013

@nygov also retweeted this one:

What to do in NYC for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year's: http://t.co/rj6c41MsPn Mark your calendar! pic.twitter.com/dFNOiHoFDN

— nycgo (@nycgo) November 19, 2013

What? Nothing about candle safety??? Are those of us who don’t celebrate Kwanzaa just expected to know better?

Does @nycgov tweet candle safety tips to Catholics? Jews? Santeria practitioners? Nope. Just Kwanzaa celebrants. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

— CatsPolitics (@CatsPolitics) December 26, 2013

Is the @NYCGov tweeting "candle safety tips" on Kwanzaa a racist dogwhistle? Asking for @JoanWalsh & @Toure.

— RB (@RBPundit) December 26, 2013

Rut-roh!

Maybe @nycgov has stats that show that Kwanzaa candles start more fires than other holiday candles?

— CatsPolitics (@CatsPolitics) December 26, 2013

Yeah, maybe that’s it.

Meanwhile, we’re thinking New Yorkers would be much better off taking advice from our friend @CatsPolitics:

It's ridiculous that @nycgov has to tweet "candle safety tips" for ANY holiday. If you don't understand how fire works, don't light candles.

— CatsPolitics (@CatsPolitics) December 26, 2013

Amen.