The Truth About Thanksgiving
History
books describe the first Thanksgiving as a harvest celebration held in 1621 by
the Pilgrims, whose early settlers of Plymouth Rock, who wore big black hats and
buckled boots and carried flare- barreled muskets.
The Pilgrims invited local Indians to their celebration, or so the story
goes, and together they gave thanks and feasted on turkey and sweet potatoes.
Despite the propagation of the Thanksgiving story in books and encyclopedias,
some historians believe a good deal of Pilgrim lore is just plain false. It's
generally agreed that sometime in early October, not late November, fifty or so
Pilgrims held a three-day harvest bash. Beyond that, there is little evidence to
authenticate the stories. Writers and painters have tended to moralize and
romanticize the story, embellishing it with colorful anecdotes and side stepping
the grimmer details.
For instance, the Pilgrims most likely wore bright colored clothing and no
shoes in the summer. Painters of the 17th century apparently supplied the
pilgrims with their black hats and buckles. Did the Pilgrims really give thanks
as the holiday implies? Plymouth Historian James Baker says that in all the
voluminous writings of the Mayflower settlers, there are exactly three
paragraphs referring to any kind of feast--with no mention of anyone saying
thanks to anyone. There's no evidence that anyone said prayers, either.
The role of the Indians is also disputed. According to most history books,
about ninety Indians were invited by Governor William Bradford to share the
feast. (Bradford is the author of Plymouth Plantation, a history of the
settlement which he helped establish.) The Dictionary of American History tells
us that the first Thanksgiving was celebrated with the help of Squanto, a
"friendly Indian." But other document reveal that Squanto was twice kidnapped
and taken to Europe where he learned English. Upon returning to his native land,
Squanto found that a disease carried to the New World by Europeans had wiped out
his entire tribe, the Pawtuxet People.
What many history books don't tell us is that Thanksgiving may have been held
to celebrate the massacre of Indians. In colonial times the settlers
periodically held religious fasts, or "days of humiliation," and Thanksgiving
days throughout the year. Sometimes such a day marked an Indian
Massacre.
There has always been the insinuation by some people that American Indians and Indigenous people in general, are lazy and don’t want to work. They prefer instead, to collect from the federal government and they love the free cheese and butter. Commods we call it.
The Native people had their lands stolen, their villages wiped out in massacres and entire villages disappeared from the illnesses the Europeans brought with them.
They twist and turn truth so much to make it sound the way they want it heard - but the truth always comes out.
With the dedication and determination of many people, the truth about many white lies has been has been brought forth,a again and again. I think the ole boy network in power, that has chosen to puts its boot upon the first inhabitants of this land, attempting to wipe us out in any way possible. It hasn’t worked yet - and it never will.
Let’s tell the “Thanksgiving Story” with one truth that no non-native likes to admit. Had it not been for the good hearts of the Wampanoag, the newcomers would have never survived that first winter. They knew nothing about planting, hunting of fishing. They never bathed, but once a year, so illness took them swiftly.
But truth be known - want a credible image of the so-called “First Thanksgiving”?
I guess this image says it all.
Above graphic is copyrighted by Jackie Trotchie, artwork by Marty Two Bulls. For permission to reproduce in any form, permission must be obtained by Jackie Trotchie. Contact Webmaster for contact information.
My Two Beads Worth is grateful to Jackie Trotchie for permitting this publication to use her artwork, since My Two Beads Worth is a non-profit publication.
National Day of Mourning
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Last updated on November 19, 2008
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