|
TODAY'S TOPIC:
Thanksgiving Day
Means Unity
by
Natalia J. Garland
Print Version
|
Another American holiday has joined the controversial ranks of
Columbus Day and Halloween: and that holiday is Thanksgiving Day
(see my essay Columbus Day to
Halloween for a discussion of the these two holidays). Just
as some Native Americans object to the celebration of Christopher
Columbus as the discoverer of America, some also object to the
American account of Thanksgiving Day. They state that the first
such American event was made possible by a traditional Wampanoag
Indian feast. In other words, it was the Wampanoags rather than
the Pilgrims who initiated the feast. They refer to the American
Thanksgiving Day as a National Day of Mourning due to the
unwillingness of some settlers to live in peace with the Natives
both before and after the first American thanksgiving event.
Why have Americans
continued to vigorously celebrate Thanksgiving Day since the time
of the Plymouth settlement? Perhaps it is because, unlike
Columbus Day which pinpoints the historic occasion of Columbus
arriving on the shores of America, Thanksgiving Day has evolved
beyond its historical roots to include national, religious, and
family values which most of us hold dear. It might help to
clarify these values if we turn back to George Washington's
Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789.
|
Now, therefore, I
do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next,
to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that
great and glorious Being who is the Beneficent Author of all the
good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all
unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His
kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to
their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and
the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and
conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquillity,
union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable
and rational manner in which we have enabled to establish
constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and
particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil
and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we
have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general,
for the great and various favors which He has been pleased to
confer upon us.
And also that we
may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and
supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech
Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us
all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several
and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our
national government a blessing to all the people by constantly
being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws,
discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and
guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown
kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace,
and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true
religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and
us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of
temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
[End of
quote.]
|
Washington's
emphasis is on gratitude, humility, goodness, peace, safety,
happiness, liberty, knowledge, true religion and good government.
He also asks God "to pardon our national and other
transgressions." It would seem that Washington was not
ignorant of or arrogant about the injustices committed throughout
American history up to 1789. He asks for forgiveness, while also
defining and building upon whatever is good. Thanksgiving Day,
therefore, is an affirmation of good relationships and the
bountiful harvests which these relationships produce.
Americans express
thanksgiving in various ways: family gatherings, extending dinner
invitations to those who have no family, volunteering at food
banks where free turkeys are given to the needy, volunteering for
nonprofit organizations which serve free dinners to anyone who
wants to sit at their table, and entertaining at nursing homes.
If this is in agreement with the Wampanoag spirit, then we all
have in common our essentially humanitarian values. That in
itself is something which should unite us.
There are some
Native Americans who celebrate Thanksgiving Day along with
mainstream Americans. In yesterday's Macy's Parade in New York
City, for example, the Cherokee National Youth Choir sang
"Jingle Bells" in the Cherokee language and wore their
traditional clothing. Their participation in this annual event
represents the melting-pot version of America. These youth made a
positive contribution to our concept of Thanksgiving Day by adding
their unique blend of American and Cherokee customs. In this way,
Thanksgiving Day continues the process of relationship and
harvest.
If other Native
Americans want to observe a National Day of Mourning, then this is
a personal or tribal choice. Let people do whatever they feel is
necessary for their healing and identity. But their activities
should not counteract our national quest for unity and peace. Let
us work together "...to render our national government a
blessing to all the people..." Many of us need this special
day so we can reflect on our personal priorities and become more
sensitive to the needs of our communities. We need to sit around
the table and ask one another, "What are you thankful for
this year?" Togetherness is how we can overcome the
lingering spirits of greed and racism. (Written 11/23/07: bibliography available.)
Until we meet
again....... .......stay sane.
|
