Thanksgiving?

Soon here in the states we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. A time that was originally set aside to thank God for all his many blessings that had been provided to the Pilgrims as they arrived in this country where they were far away from the tyranny of the English king.

No longer is this a day of celebration. It has turned into a day of stuffing yourself until you explode, football and plotting your strategy for hitting the huge day after sales. But that isn’t what this post is about.

Unfortunately the good luck for the arriving Europeans spelled the end for the Native Americans. While the Pilgrims had been welcomed and food shared with them by these “savages” the Europeans soon became greedy and as America grew the “Indian” was forced from the land that had been theirs since time immemorial.

The Native American has suffered in silence for decades. Did you know that up until the 1970’s Native American children were being taken away from their “godless” families and placed with “God fearing families who could teach them better and give them a better life”?

Why is this issue such a hot button for me? After all the only Indian blood I have could fill a thimble. My great granny was Creek; another was Cherokee and still another Blackfoot. So I’m sure I’m not considered Native American. But I have great PRIDE in my history. I’m proud of the fact my ancestors were “Indians”.

Okay, let me get back on track. I am more than a little irritated at the whole mess of things. Now please don’t take what I’m about to say as racist or be offended. It is NOT meant in that vein in the least. I’m merely making a point.

That having been clarified, let’s look at the list of things set aside to “celebrate” different cultural heritages.

There is Black History month. A well-publicized, widely accepted month that encourages teachers to focus on the heritage of the African American and their history of arrival in this country.

There is St. Patrick’s Day. Before the green beer and the pub crawls, this date was set for the Irish Americans to remember St. Patrick and all he’d done for Ireland.

There is Easter, a time celebrated by the faith of some people as the time Jesus was crucified for our sins, arose and ascended to heaven.

There is Christmas celebrated by some as the birth of Jesus.

All these are well known celebrations. The information about them fills the television, the calendars, radio ads, etc.

Did you know that there is a Native American History month? Have you seen ads or newspaper articles? Is there a notation on your calendar? No? Gee wonder why that is. The Native American history month is in November. How ironic is it that the same month that the arrival of the Pilgrims and Thanksgiving is the month set aside for Native Americans?

Does my family celebrate Thanksgiving? Yes we do. As a day of getting together, sharing the bounty we’ve been blessed with and spending time with those we love. But I think it’s also important to remember the ones who lost out, were maligned, had to suffer the loss of their lands, their lives and their freedoms at this time.

All right I’m stepping off my soapbox now. If my little “rant” has made even one of you stop and think for one minute then I’m pleased with it.

I’ll probably not be back before Monday so I hope you all enjoy great food with wonderful company and I’ll see you all next week!

Huggles,
Donica