The tradition of Thanksgiving dates back to celebrating a time in which European settlers, helpless to understand American land, were given food and support by Native Americans who lived there.
This moment, which may or may not hold a basis in reality, unfortunately does give way to a larger truth: between 80-100 million Native Americans were killed, lied to, driven off their land, and forced to assimilate as European settlers wanted more and more of their land. Native Americans did not understand the concept of “owning” land, thinking it as silly as owning the sky or water, making it unfortunately easier to dupe them.
This article isn’t meant to make anyone “feel guilty” as we sit down to dinner with our families. Rather, we should make Thanksgiving a holiday for, pure and simple, giving thanks and also helping others, not romanticizing the violence of the past. That is the type of violence we should also make every effort to make sure stays in the past, but considering what is currently happening in our society, unfortunately it still continues to this day.
So, why write this?
Well, for one thing, I do believe we should eat dinner with our families and count our blessings, especially with the current political climate making it difficult to remember the good things in our lives.
But in the same moment, we shouldn’t lose sight of others who are less fortune than us. Every member of my family, teenage brother included, donated to Standing Rock and signed the petitions, and are planning to call to voice our displeasure. That is the basis of what can be done to support the protestors, but a more full list can be found here. Donate to food banks and work at a soup kitchen if you can. Give to the homeless and not just because of the holiday season, but do it the entire year more often.
Likewise, try to be grateful every day. It’ll lead to a healthier mindset than thinking of it, and community service, as something only required once a year.
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