The Meaning of Thanksgiving

Where the Pilgrims Landed, What it Meant for Native Americans and How Can Your Thanksgiving Shape American History?

Nov 19, 2006 Gabriella Beckles

The arrival of the Pilgrims signaled the annihilation of the native peoples, and many people are sensitive to this historical fact. So what does Thanksgiving mean to you?

When we sit down to our turkey or the many other culinary delights that appear at Thanksgiving dinner tables, not many families will be holding a ritualistic vigil to a faux Plymouth Rock.

Firstly, the inaugural pilgrim landing was at Provincetown, Cape Cod. Secondly, according to Pilgrim Hall Museum, “there are no contemporary references to the Pilgrims’ landing on a rock at Plymouth.”

Thanksgiving is thus widely perceived as a time for family. An opportunity to reunite with loved ones, friends, and relations we haven’t seen for years. It’s some time off work, a break from school, the chance for an extended romantic weekend, and more importantly, an opportunity to eat copious amounts of food without feeling too guilty!

In some ways this is more representative of the original celebrations held by the Pilgrims, which were actually harvest festivals, fashioned on the English and Native traditions.

Thanksgiving, as the historical landmark we celebrate, is a result of political history and has very little to do with any date or events pertaining to pilgrims or America specifically.

Although, few would defend the historical accuracy or the celebration of the massacre of native peoples, the failure to publicly denounce the traditional meaning of Thanksgiving is another small piece of the silent complicity that allows racism and a racially constructed history to continue to shape our understanding of world events, and our perceptions of different groups. It is not the raving clan member that is the true threat to social justice; it is the well meaning, good people who don’t take a verbal and active stand against injustice that allows it to continue.

So, this Thanksgiving, as you welcome your friends, family, guests and new acquaintances into your home, take a moment to redirect our collective future. As you sit down to eat, take time to mention the true history of America. Acknowledge your joy at coming together, but acknowledge also, how contrived, inaccurate history has torn others apart.

Let your children know what really happened to the Native Americans. Tell them something about the impact these historical events has had on Native Americans today. Let’s use this moment as a lesson for us all, as we try to understand, appreciate, and get along with people whose customs, languages and religions may be unfamiliar.

Let’s use this moment to ensure the spirit of giving and being genuinely thankful is instilled in all of us. Thus ensuring our future history can find acts of true brotherly and sisterly love to honor and celebrate.

The copyright of the article The Meaning of Thanksgiving in Race Issues is owned by Gabriella Beckles. Permission to republish The Meaning of Thanksgiving in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.