Thanksgiving Part 1-A Day of Mourning

Thanksgiving is one of those American holidays that we have been taught celebrates the coming together of Native Americans and immigrated Colonists as they shared food, bounty, and family in a traditional setting. It is important to note that not all Native Americans share this sentiment of celebration. In fact some Native Americans have taken to Plymouth Rock on the 4th Thursday in November in an ongoing protest they call a National Day of Mourning. While our history books paint a lovely picture of Pilgrims and Natives living and eating together in harmony, we must acknowledge that many people feel Thanksgiving marked the beginning of the end for Native American freedoms. I think Mashpee Wampanoag Chief Qaqeemasq despite his character flaws, said it best when he wrote, "Historically, Thanksgiving represents our first encounter with the eventual erosion of our sovereignty and there is nothing wrong with mourning that loss. In fact, as long as we don’t wallow in regret and resentment, it’s healthy to mourn. It is a necessary part of the healing process."

Like any holiday that has been Americanized beyond recognition of its true origins, I think we can make the most of Thanksgiving without minimizing or forgetting the struggles that resulted in the diminishing of the Native American people when immigrants came to their country. In the wake of our entitlement and privilege when constructing our own opinions on immigration and who we want to let in and who we keep out, we have to remember the transgressions of our ancestors. In my family, we celebrate being thankful on Thanksgiving and we do it with empathy and solidarity to the struggles of our original citizens.