As Thanksgiving rolls around there are many people that are starting to get ready to go home, see their families and have a rather large meal with them. Along with those two things, people are looking forward to seeing their friends and black Friday. But one thing that I’ve started hearing more as the years go on, this year in particular, is people taking away from the value of the holiday of Thanksgiving with remarks such as “you’re celebrating the massacre of thousands of Native Americans.” This article is a reminder that you’re allowed to feel whatever you want to, but you should consider every angle and possibility before saying anything.
That’s not to say that those people are entirely wrong. The very first Thanksgiving was held as a peaceful sharing of food between the settlers of the New World and the natives who already lived there, and while there was no direct bloodshed at the time, it did mark a pivotal point in the interactions between the two groups. Shortly after that time the natives began to take ill from the foreign diseases brought in by the settlers, and with the wars that came shortly after as the Englishmen wanted more land, the holiday holds a much darker connotation for the descendants of those who were slaughtered or died of disease. We should never forget the atrocities committed by the people who came across the Atlantic, but we should also not let that change how we treat or interact with other people when it comes to Thanksgiving.
Another common argument against the nationwide celebration of Thanksgiving is that it was initially a Christian holiday, and as such it is not inclusive in the other religions and their beliefs. While this is also true, and the fact that the date lands on the Christian holiday very much implies a bit of a bridge in the gap between church and state, there is something else that we shouldn’t forget. The national holiday of Thanksgiving was declared by Abraham Lincoln as a day to give thanks for “general blessings.” It is a day of reflection and coming together to acknowledge all that you have to be thankful for. It is true that most religions have at least one day just like it, but for us non-religious folk it presents an “organized event” of sorts to do it, and if not reflecting on all that you have is never a bad exercise.
Again, it is important that we never forget the bad things and inconsistencies that the holiday of Thanksgiving stands in front of, but at the same time we need to remember what the holiday really stands for. Regardless of who you are and what your ties are, it is always good to come together with friends and family for a fun time, and taking the time to reflect is something you should regularly do anyway. There is always something to be grateful for, and never let anyone make you think otherwise.
