International Perspective
Do you think of yourself as a bad person for celebrating Thanksgiving? This is a question I keep thinking as Wednesday blends into Thursday. I'm asking You, but I'm also asking myself. I think it's important to challenge what paradoxes we participate in.
Has anyone ever asked if you view yourself that way–as a bad person–for celebrating a day of Mourning?
Inductively, probably not–right? Just as I deduce that You don't celebrate the Rwandan Genocide, the Holocaust, or any other institutionally-recognized crimes against humanity–right? What exactly would you be ignoring if you did?
And why would anyone want you to feel tense on a day that is defined by politics? Besides, isn't that the normal complaint about thanksgiving, that conversations always turn into arguments?
Unironically, Thanksgiving is not a day of peace. Deception is the norm of thanksgiving–it's meant for talk.
Let's not exaggerate. We all know the story. English Pilgrims, seeking asylum from imperial and religious persecution, suffered as they struggled to adapt to the land. Colonization of Plymouth seemed impossible with their dwindling population. With the help of the Wampanoag, the pilgrims were "saved from starvation". Fashioned like executioners of death row, the pilgrims unironically responded with a meal.
It was on purpose; a backhanded thank-you. It was from fear of seeing competition rather than humanity in people that did not look exactly like them. It was social politics. It was an intentional manipulation of power; it was tyranny.
Despite knowing history, thanksgiving continues to be sold as something good, with cartoon turkey cutouts dressed in pilgrim hats, belt buckles, and boots adorning classrooms; maple leaf decorations; cornucopia and pumpkin ceramics at home; commercials of familiar gatherings and celebration. It is reduced to the food that is served and excused as a day to catch up with loved ones. Are You that easy to convince? (I can imagine someone mocking in response with, "Are you that easy to offend?" but I think anyone who's rational would be immediately put-off by a day in their nation's history that enabled genocide.)
Least to say, I feel conflicted about dinner tomorrow night. How do I see my observation of the last Thursday in November? Do I help cook? Do I sit and observe? Do I approach the feast like Ofelia from Pan's Labyrinth? What power do I have when quantity contests quality? What intended and unintended power do I give the language I choose?
I have my discernment. I have a say. And You do too.
More importantly, we have our shared knowledge. Indigenous life continues, and needs better support. For those of us who do, how can we condemn a genocide like the Holocaust, but curtail recognition for Indigenous Mourning?
Like