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4 thoughts on “The Dark Truth about Thanksgiving”
As someone who knew admittedly little about the real truth behind thanksgiving, this was an eye-opener for me. I know that the colonists did some horrible things to the native people that allowed them to live here, but I had no idea just how bad their treatment of the native peoples was. Unfortunately, this just functions as another example of the government trying to rewrite history to paint itself in a better light. I’m in the same boat as you when it comes to the actual event itself, I love relaxing and unwinding with family that I don’t get to see very often just as much as the next person, and I agree that the motive behind the gathering needs to be acknowledged for what it really is. While I think that will definitely put a bit of a damper on the festive mood surrounding Thanksgiving, ruffling a few feathers (no pun intended) is definitely a fair price to pay to remember history for what actually happened, not what we are being told what happened.
Hi Abraam, thanks for shedding some light on Thanksgiving! Previously, when I thought of the history of Thanksgiving, my knowledge was mostly confined to the Charlie Brown episode, so this blog was definitely an eye-opener. I, too, am conflicted over how to process the origins of Thanksgiving when compared to its benevolent modern celebration. I agree with you, though, that neither extreme is particularly good. I disagree with those who want to protest Thanksgiving, because in modern day, it hardly stands for the oppression of Native groups anymore. It serves as a time to gather with our loved ones and express our gratitude for them. However, I also disagree with those that want to ignore the roots of the holiday entirely. If we ignore history, we are bound to repeat it. That may be a bit of a stretch, but I think the point still stands. Acknowledging where we came from can help to direct where we go, and where we should not go again.
Thanks for providing some insights on the true origins of Thanksgiving. I had no idea of the dark history of this good-spirited holiday. The contrast between what the holiday represents today and what it represented back then is really stark. I agree with you in that we should neither ignore the history of this holiday nor change the holiday itself, there is some middle-ground (as with all things). I too enjoy this holiday as it is a good time to reflect on everything and everyone for which you are thankful, however I will not forget the brutality of its origins.
I think this is a very interesting take Abraam. Of course, there is a dark element to the origins of Thanksgiving, most of the US’s history has a dark element. But just as it is important to understand the roots of a holiday, it is also important to understand why it is celebrated currently. In our current society, we celebrate Thanksgiving as a way to show our appreciation for our family and friends. It is a celebration of the good things in life. Yes, the original meaning behind Thanksgiving was the pilgrims being helped by the native Americans, but it has evolved into something entirely different. It is just like how Halloween has become a holiday about having fun, dressing up, and eating candy. It was originally about warding off the spirits of the dead who came back to their homes on November first. Thanksgiving has changed since its first celebration and becomes less and less about the pilgrims each year. In my opinion, we celebrate Thanksgiving because of our family and friends, not because of what happened centuries ago.
As someone who knew admittedly little about the real truth behind thanksgiving, this was an eye-opener for me. I know that the colonists did some horrible things to the native people that allowed them to live here, but I had no idea just how bad their treatment of the native peoples was. Unfortunately, this just functions as another example of the government trying to rewrite history to paint itself in a better light. I’m in the same boat as you when it comes to the actual event itself, I love relaxing and unwinding with family that I don’t get to see very often just as much as the next person, and I agree that the motive behind the gathering needs to be acknowledged for what it really is. While I think that will definitely put a bit of a damper on the festive mood surrounding Thanksgiving, ruffling a few feathers (no pun intended) is definitely a fair price to pay to remember history for what actually happened, not what we are being told what happened.
Hi Abraam, thanks for shedding some light on Thanksgiving! Previously, when I thought of the history of Thanksgiving, my knowledge was mostly confined to the Charlie Brown episode, so this blog was definitely an eye-opener. I, too, am conflicted over how to process the origins of Thanksgiving when compared to its benevolent modern celebration. I agree with you, though, that neither extreme is particularly good. I disagree with those who want to protest Thanksgiving, because in modern day, it hardly stands for the oppression of Native groups anymore. It serves as a time to gather with our loved ones and express our gratitude for them. However, I also disagree with those that want to ignore the roots of the holiday entirely. If we ignore history, we are bound to repeat it. That may be a bit of a stretch, but I think the point still stands. Acknowledging where we came from can help to direct where we go, and where we should not go again.
Thanks for providing some insights on the true origins of Thanksgiving. I had no idea of the dark history of this good-spirited holiday. The contrast between what the holiday represents today and what it represented back then is really stark. I agree with you in that we should neither ignore the history of this holiday nor change the holiday itself, there is some middle-ground (as with all things). I too enjoy this holiday as it is a good time to reflect on everything and everyone for which you are thankful, however I will not forget the brutality of its origins.
I think this is a very interesting take Abraam. Of course, there is a dark element to the origins of Thanksgiving, most of the US’s history has a dark element. But just as it is important to understand the roots of a holiday, it is also important to understand why it is celebrated currently. In our current society, we celebrate Thanksgiving as a way to show our appreciation for our family and friends. It is a celebration of the good things in life. Yes, the original meaning behind Thanksgiving was the pilgrims being helped by the native Americans, but it has evolved into something entirely different. It is just like how Halloween has become a holiday about having fun, dressing up, and eating candy. It was originally about warding off the spirits of the dead who came back to their homes on November first. Thanksgiving has changed since its first celebration and becomes less and less about the pilgrims each year. In my opinion, we celebrate Thanksgiving because of our family and friends, not because of what happened centuries ago.