Thanksgiving has always been one of my least favorite holidays. Maybe it's because I'm a picky eater who only enjoys mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, or maybe it's because I can't get over the fact that we celebrate the pilgrims invading and destroying Native American land. Regardless, I've just never been a fan of the holiday.
It's great because I'll get a week off from school, meaning a week to play catch-up in every single class and get some decent sleep. I get to see family, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on the year, and I'll get some much needed rest. Thanksgiving break also signals that the end of the semester is near, with looming due dates and exams.
But this year, more so than past years, I'm asking myself is there really anything to be thankful for?
With the country divided due to politics, I'm finding it really hard to even think about enjoying pumpkin pie while listening to my family talk about how great Donald Trump is. Sure we can do a "no politics" rule, but it's going to come out eventually and it is not going to be pretty.
Personally, I'm far too tired to be bothered with arguing with people who have surrounded themselves in echo chambers that consist of Red State Watcher and Brietbart, so I don't think I'll be enjoying this holiday.
The New York Times published an article detailing the stories of Democrats and Republicans who have called off Thanksgiving with their family members feeling this election was the final nail in the coffin for those strained relationships. It seems that now more so than ever, we have just become tired of dealing with people who are going to ignore the fracture in the nation.
Despite President Obama and Hillary Clinton calling for unity, I'm finding it really hard to find common ground and understanding with those who voted for Trump. I'm just saying, I don't really want to hear the excuses. Personally, I'm fine with a divide forming in my family, just don't get in my face about my politics. Call me hippie-liberal-trash, I don't really care, but can you at least give me some peace before I have to endure four years of Republican hell?
This year at the table, when asked what I'm thankful for maybe I'll say Hillary Clinton, maybe I'll say Joe Biden memes. Who knows. But currently I'm hard pressed to find any positives in the situation.
I just want to enjoy my mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie in peace, without having to hear excuses for racism, sexism, islamophobia and homophobia. And try to forget we celebrate white people "discovering" America.
