If you are one of those people who immediately explodes with Christmas joy the day after Halloween, there's a good chance I dislike you. Am I a Scrooge? Maybe to some people. However, I like to see myself as more of a Thanksgiving Rights Activist: someone who believes that Thanksgiving deserves its own time to shine, before Christmas comes in and takes over the scene.

This is a genuine problem, people. And it seems to get worse every year! Most stores have their giant aisles of Halloween decorations, and right behind those aisles several more with Christmas decorations already out. But what about Thanksgiving? Some stores have half an aisle for "Fall decorations," as they're referred to. It's not fair!

Many people over the past few years have really come to dislike Thanksgiving, due to the history behind the holiday. Was Christopher Columbus a perfect guy? Definitely not. But then again, I'd say 90 percent of the things people during his time did are found offensive or inappropriate in today's society. The overall message that Thanksgiving sends, in my opinion, is one of gratitude. We shouldn't be focusing on the horrible things that came from that time period, but on the good things that have developed over time because of this great country. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the blessings we all have, whether big or small.

Let me say that again: The overall message that Thanksgiving sends is one of gratitude.

Maybe it's because of the sketchy history surrounding the founding of our country that people like to just brush over Thanksgiving and move straight to Christmas. Maybe it's just because Christmas is so focused on material things that it's easier for the media to take advantage of. Who really knows. The point I'm trying to make is this: give Thanksgiving its time in the limelight! What could be better than a holiday centered around gratitude, in a world where we are so focused on obtaining things we don't yet have? We need Thanksgiving to remind us of how awesome our lives already are.