- Feb 9, 2001
- 7,136
- 2,071
How pompous and arrogant and hypocritical can this be? What is the true meaning behind this one day that is designated each year in America and called "Thanksgiving"? It has become a national event that is often referred to as a "holiday" which is derived from "holy day". Who thought of it and why? Do you ever wonder or support reasons why Native Indians protest against it?
As African Americans I realize we can define and celebrate "thanksgiving" whichever way we see fit based on our own beliefs and cultural perspectives. But I'm curious as to how many of us do our own thing on this particular day or do we follow in the tradition of the europeans?
I remember being 'taught' (programmed) in school that this day depicted a group of white people who were called "pilgrims", giving thanks to an indigenous people (they called Indians) who were here BEFORE them, for helping them to survive after they arrived to this 'foreign' country. I can remember seeing pictures around and in textbooks that showed pilgrims and Indians sharing happily in the bounty brought forth from the land by the Indians. Images of long tables spread out with roasted turkey and corn, and what has become known as their traditional meal in celebration of this event. This propaganda always showed Indians generously bringing food and sharing their 'wealth' with the less fortunate pilgrims. This may have been true early on, I can't say that it wasn't. But we know what happened later which is far different than this friendly fellowship and their legacy lives on today. So what are the europeans REALLY giving thanks for? For Indians being so trusting and naive enough to help them?
When you smell the turkey roasting in your oven with all the trimmings; when families gather together around the dinner table and someone says a prayer; when children are playing and the men sit around the television with full stomachs watching parades or football and dozing off to sleep while women are in the kitchen cleaning up--what are you giving thanks for...or are you?
As African Americans I realize we can define and celebrate "thanksgiving" whichever way we see fit based on our own beliefs and cultural perspectives. But I'm curious as to how many of us do our own thing on this particular day or do we follow in the tradition of the europeans?
I remember being 'taught' (programmed) in school that this day depicted a group of white people who were called "pilgrims", giving thanks to an indigenous people (they called Indians) who were here BEFORE them, for helping them to survive after they arrived to this 'foreign' country. I can remember seeing pictures around and in textbooks that showed pilgrims and Indians sharing happily in the bounty brought forth from the land by the Indians. Images of long tables spread out with roasted turkey and corn, and what has become known as their traditional meal in celebration of this event. This propaganda always showed Indians generously bringing food and sharing their 'wealth' with the less fortunate pilgrims. This may have been true early on, I can't say that it wasn't. But we know what happened later which is far different than this friendly fellowship and their legacy lives on today. So what are the europeans REALLY giving thanks for? For Indians being so trusting and naive enough to help them?
When you smell the turkey roasting in your oven with all the trimmings; when families gather together around the dinner table and someone says a prayer; when children are playing and the men sit around the television with full stomachs watching parades or football and dozing off to sleep while women are in the kitchen cleaning up--what are you giving thanks for...or are you?