For as long back as we can tell Native peoples in the Americas have celebrated their harvest. Its a seasonal event where they can recognize the ending of summer, divide up their harvest and prepare for the harsh weather of winter. During this time, people prepared food for the winter season- things that cannot be done or are much more challenging to do in the cold. They made sure everyone had their share and if time allowed they would perform ceremonies and rituals to complete this day. The children were always included in the work and cared for in the celebration. Today you can find a variety of celebrations that include foot races, parades and dances. For many of us in the U.S. this is what Thanksgiving day represents. We spend a day with our family and share our thanks and food.
The Pilgrims who celebrated their first harvest celebration in the 1600s did just this. However, their harvest celebration was politically and religiously charged because of their position. At this time, they were trying to break from religious persecution and form their own place in the world. And because of this they needed to a way to remind themselves that what they were doing was good. And so, despite the fact that they lied, cheated and killed to gain life in a land new to them, they fell back on their religion to support their harvest takings. Their writings of their Thanksgiving was this framed using the this logic: if they weren't good and righteous god would have not allowed this abundance. This is the problem with the "first" Thanksgiving as it ignores the fact that its not the first harvest celebration in this land. It ignores the facts of how they achieved their abundance and grants divine rights to the Pilgrims for their behavior.
This is seen time and time again in American history. In the 1800s Lincoln federally recognizes Thanksgiving as a holiday in order to give the people something to be proud of during the war. This sends America the message that they should be thankful for land to fight on, to have a land to fight for, and that they will be rewarded with abundance for their grace in war. The constant repackaging of thankfulness and grace during times of war is what made the American dream. It is why we are suffering at the hands of white mass shooters today at an alarming rate and are constantly sent thoughts and prayers. This is the history of white fragility that prevents us from addressing racism, privileged and appropriation without having to hear white people try to convince us that they specifically are still a good person. This is the problem with Thanksgiving.
So what do we do then? My suggestions: Learn your history. Learn American history. ALL OF IT. Not just the parts written down. Research your area. What have people done there historically? What food can be grown there naturally? What can you grow in your home? What can you organize? What can you share? Learn about the ways your community can celebrate harvest to support everyone throughout the WINTER. Let's take the harvest celebration back to what it has always been behind the scenes of the white thanksgiving. What ways can you create or participate in your community to help others survive and establish life for the long term? How can we make connections that truly demonstrate we are thankful for our opportunity to participate in our communities? This is the image of a real thanksgiving. #teachlove