Happy Thanksgiving… or is it?
Thanksgiving in contemporary America showcases a storied history of traditions and practices, influenced by the country's diverse cultural backgrounds. Families gather across various settings, sharing meals that blend flavors from different heritages. This holiday not only honors gratitude but also serves as a reminder of the collective history and ongoing narratives within society.
Thanksgiving today is diverse in its observances. While many focus on gratitude and family, others use it as an opportunity to address historical injustices, emphasizing reflection and reconciliation. It remains a uniquely American holiday that continues to adapt to changing social and cultural dynamics
Sarah Josepha Hale
Thanksgiving, celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States, has a rich history rooted in gratitude and community. The tradition is believed to trace back to 1621 when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people held a three-day feast to celebrate the Pilgrims' first successful harvest. This event symbolized cooperation and shared prosperity during a challenging time. However, some historians note that similar thanksgiving ceremonies occurred earlier in other parts of North America, including Florida in 1565, where Spanish settlers and Native Americans held a communal meal.
Modern Thanksgiving includes iconic traditions like feasting on turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, gathering with family, and watching football games or the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Over time, the day has also gained commercial elements, with Black Friday shopping following closely after. Despite its festive spirit, Thanksgiving is not without controversy. Many Native Americans observe it as a "National Day of Mourning" to acknowledge the historical oppression of Indigenous peoples that followed European colonization.
The day’s evolution into a national holiday was largely shaped by Sarah Josepha Hale, who campaigned for its recognition. President Abraham Lincoln officially proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, aiming to unite the nation during the Civil War. In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October, originating from a different history, including explorer Martin Frobisher's celebrations in the 16th century.
Gratitude and Family
For many, Thanksgiving remains a day to express gratitude and spend time with loved ones. Families and friends gather for traditional meals, often featuring turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. Beyond feasting, activities like watching football, participating in parades such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and volunteering at community events or shelters highlight the day's communal spirit. This focus on gratitude and togetherness mirrors the historical origins of Thanksgiving as a harvest celebration.
Addressing Historical Injustices
Others view Thanksgiving as an occasion for reflection on historical injustices, particularly the treatment of Native Americans. Since 1970, the United American Indians of New England have observed the holiday as a "National Day of Mourning." This observance seeks to honor Indigenous ancestors and raise awareness about the impact of colonization, including the loss of land, culture, and lives. These gatherings often include marches, educational events, and moments of silence to counter the dominant narrative of Thanksgiving as solely a harmonious event between Pilgrims and Native Americans.
Native Americans have endured profound injustices since European colonization, including land dispossession, forced assimilation, and systemic violence. The Trail of Tears and the widespread seizure of ancestral lands reflect a brutal history of displacement. Government policies, such as the boarding school system, sought to eradicate Native cultures and languages, leaving lasting scars.
Today, Indigenous communities continue to face persistent challenges, including poverty, inadequate access to healthcare, and discrimination. Issues like the violation of treaty rights, environmental degradation on tribal lands, and high rates of violence against Native women further highlight systemic inequities. Advocacy for justice and recognition remains critical to addressing these enduring struggles
Adaptations and Modern Expressions
Thanksgiving continues to evolve with changing demographics and cultural influences. Immigrant communities often incorporate their own culinary and cultural traditions into the celebration, blending Thanksgiving with dishes and customs from their heritage. For instance, a family from Uganda met in Atlanta, Georgia in 1988 and created what is now known as the Uganda North American Association; the oldest diaspora association in the United States. Today, Ugandan dispora meet with family and friends on thanksgiving serving matooke, plantains, chapati and binyebwa alongside turkey symbolizing the transitionary nature of the holiday and the American landscape as a whole.
Thanksgiving has also taken on a commercial dimension with the rise of Black Friday sales, which start immediately after the holiday and mark the beginning of the holiday shopping season. This has introduced debates about consumerism overshadowing the holiday's original intent
Reflection and Reconciliation
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to use Thanksgiving as a time to engage in reconciliation. Some groups and individuals are working to reframe the holiday as a day of unity and education, focusing on building a better understanding of Native American history and contributions. Educational programs and partnerships between Indigenous communities and schools or cultural institutions are helping to promote a more nuanced and inclusive narrative
Ultimately, Thanksgiving remains a uniquely American holiday, embodying both its ideals of gratitude and togetherness and its capacity to evolve. By reflecting the values and challenges of the society in which it is celebrated, Thanksgiving continues to serve as a mirror for America's diverse and dynamic identity.
