It’s that time of year again! The Halloween decorations have just come down, and it is time to decide how soon is “too soon” to start decorating for Christmas (hint: it is never too soon). There is, however, a holiday in between these two amazing holidays: Thanksgiving. The smell of food, the gathering of family and my favorite house on the beach all come to mind when I think about my family’s Thanksgiving traditions. While Thanksgiving has always been fun and games in my family, there is a dark past from where it originates.
In 1621, the Wampanoag Indians and the Plymouth colonists shared an autumn harvest feast that has since been recognized as the “first Thanksgiving.” In 1863, during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving Day to be a national holiday to be held each November. Many use Thanksgiving as a reminder to be thankful for everything that they have, but for me, this day should mean so much more.
Thanksgiving is not a reminder of the Native Americans and the friendly Pilgrims who got together and had a big, happy feast. Thanksgiving is a reminder of the horrible past that white colonists have forced upon Native Americans. We, the immigrants, have oppressed and tortured Native Americans for the entire history of this country, and we still are today. In return for their kindness, we forced them from their homes, intentionally gave them diseases such as smallpox and ousted them from our society as a whole.
Let me make myself clear: Thanksgiving is not celebrated by most Native Americans. For them, everyday is a day to give thanks for the lives they have been gifted with. Thanksgiving Day, as it is recognized nationally, is a day of mourning for Native Americans. It is a reminder to them that they were forced from their homes, murdered by white immigrants, and betrayed for their kindness. White people have attempted to take everything away from Native Americans, including their language and culture. We have tried to assimilate them into our society. Children are taught that Native Americans all sat down at a table to have a great big meal with the Pilgrims. Children are taught that Native Americans are “savages,” that they are without culture, without reason. When we, as a nation, celebrate Thanksgiving, we are perpetuating the discrimination and oppression of Native Americans everywhere.
Native Americans ensured the survival of the Plymouth Pilgrims, and they lived to regret it. Gatherings to give thanks and to celebrate life did not start with the Pilgrims, but instead has always been the way of the Native American people.
I can respect the idea that Thanksgiving is a time to gather with your family, to eat food and remember to be thankful for all that you have. However, ignoring the tragic history that comes with this holiday is disrespectful and perpetuates harmful stereotypes and historical erasure. As I do not believe that people will stop celebrating Thanksgiving, I propose that we use this holiday as a time to remember the painful past of our country, and the painful present. We must teach every next generation about what we have done wrong, and what we can do to make it right.
