Thanksgiving . . . But Who to Thank?

Voter Education

Guest commentary (a historical overview on Thanksgiving) by William Loren Katz

William Loren Katz is an American educator, historian, and author of many books on African-American history, including a number of titles for young adult readers. He is particularly noted for his extensive writings on the 500-year history of relations between African-Americans and Native Americans in the New World.

In 1621 Governor William Bradford of Plymouth proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving - but not for the Wampanoug saviors but his Pilgrims. His Christian settlers had staved off hunger through their courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to God, that was his spin. To this day most politicians, ministers and educators describe this First Thanksgiving as the Governor did. Years later Pilgrim Reverend Increase Mather asked his congregation to give thanks to God "that on this day we have sent six hundred heathen souls to hell."

Thanksgiving remains the most treasured holiday in the United States, honored by Presidents since the Civil War when Abraham Lincoln used it to stir northern patriotism. Thanksgiving has often served political ends. In 2003 President George Bush flew to Baghdad, Iraq to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with U.S. troops. He brought a host of media photographers to capture him carrying a glazed turkey to the troops. He flew home in three hours, and soon after TV brought his act of courage and generosity to Americans. But the turkey he carried to the soldiers in Baghdad was never eaten. It was cardboard, a stage prop . . . Thanksgiving as a photo-op.

Currently Thanksgiving celebrates not justice or equality but aggression and enslavement. It affirms racial beliefs that led to the world's worst genocide -- the wanton destruction of tens of millions and ancient cultures. It's time for a different American Thanksgiving. I suggest one that honors the American continent's freedom-fighting tradition creating an alternative society to combat modern day disenfranchisement and mental slavery. Learn more about William Loren Katz: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Loren_Katz

Another noted historian and researcher, Dr. Leroy Vaughn, MD, MBA, Historian, African Chief, his chronicles from a lost ancestry reignites the spirit and humbles the soul. Our history has been rewritten to confuse and obstruct a rich cultural heritage from the truth. While we pause to give thanks…to what one might ask are we giving thanks for? After honoring GOD for giving you the strength, health and wisdom to make your own decisions, family, friends and helping our fellow man should be the nexus for all our blessings. Please read, Dr. Vaughn’s, “Black People and Their Place In World History After 1492.”  http://www.computerhealth.org/ebook/1492post.htm

Happy “Thanksgiving”...To ALL

TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING,
BUT I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP.
I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS,
I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP..
THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED -
THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE,
BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION
WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT.

TOSSING AND TURNING WITH ANTICIPATION,
THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION.
SO, I RACED TO THE KITCHEN, FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR,
AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE, FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.
GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND BUTTERED POTATOES,
PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES.
I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND,
'TIL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.
I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING, FLOATING INTO THE SKY,
WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING AND A HANDFUL OF PIE.
BUT, I MANAGED TO YELL AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES....
HAPPY EATING TO ALL - PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE.

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,
MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP..
MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP.
MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS.
MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,
MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS!!
HAPPY   THANKSGIVING   TO  ALL

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