Every fourth Thursday in November,millions of families in USA thay celebrate teh Thanksgiving Daya festivity which symbolizes unity and gratitude. However, this customary festivity contains a much more complex narrative, which questions its mythical origin and highlights the racial exclusions.
The popular version of the event,which portrays the pilgrims of Mayflower and the the Wampanoag tribe sharing a banquet in 1621,is far from a faithful account. Although historians confirm that there was a day of thanksgiving in Plymouthrecords suggest that the Wampanoag attended out of fear of gunfire from settlers. Furthermore, the turkey, symbol of the festival, It does not appear in the first descriptions of the encounter.
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Over time, the relationship between settlers and indigenous people deteriorated, leading to violent conflict and oppression of native peoples. In 1863, Sarah Josepha Hale, an abolitionist and editor, got the president Abraham Lincoln will declare Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday, as a way to promote unity during the Civil War. However, hale excluded African Americans, Indigenous people, and other marginalized groups, reflecting the contradictions in his vision.
The exclusion was maintained in much of the century XX, when African american, Latino, Asian American and Native communities were excluded from public celebrations. It was only with him Civil Rights Movement when those barriers began to crumble.
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As 1970, indigenous peoples have resisted the traditional narrative with the National Day of Mourning, an event that makes visible the losses suffered by these communities. Today, some historians advocate a more inclusive approach that recognizes the complexities of the Thanksgiving Day.
This rethinking does not seek to detract from the festivity, but to enrich it, which would allow historically ignored voices to have a place in the collective reflection.
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How has the portrayal of Indigenous peoples in the Thanksgiving narrative changed over time, according to Dr. Torres?
Interview: Unpacking the Complex Narrative of Thanksgiving with Historian Dr. Jamie Torres
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Torres! As we approach Thanksgiving Day in the USA, it’s essential to delve deeper into its past origins and the narrative we often celebrate.Can you share the traditional account of Thanksgiving and its implications?
Dr. Jamie Torres: Thank you for having me! The popular narrative we often hear is centered around the pilgrims of the Mayflower and the Wampanoag tribe sharing a feast in 1621. While there was indeed a day of thanksgiving in Plymouth, it’s crucial to understand that the Wampanoag likely attended due to a fear of violence from the settlers. This aspect speaks volumes about the dynamics of power and fear in their relationship.
Time.news Editor: That’s a striking viewpoint. Many people are unaware that the imagery surrounding Thanksgiving—including the turkey—does not align with historical accounts. could you elaborate on this?
Dr. Jamie Torres: absolutely. The turkey has become a cultural symbol of Thanksgiving, but it wasn’t even mentioned in the first descriptions of the 1621 encounter. This illustrates how our collective memory has been selectively curated, often omitting vital elements of truth wich contribute to a skewed understanding of history.
Time.news Editor: The evolution of Thanksgiving celebrations seems to reflect broader societal issues. How did figures like Sarah Josepha Hale influence the holiday’s evolution into a national party?
Dr. Jamie Torres: Sarah Josepha Hale played a significant role in making Thanksgiving a national holiday by appealing to President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Her intention was to promote unity during the Civil War; however, she excluded marginalized groups, including Indigenous peoples and African Americans, from the vision of this unity. This exclusion underlines the contradictions inherent in the founding narrative of Thanksgiving that persist through the years.
Time.news Editor: As we moved into the 20th century, the celebration of Thanksgiving continued to evolve. How did the Civil Rights Movement affect this?
Dr. Jamie Torres: The Civil Rights Movement shifted the paradigm substantially. For much of the 20th century, celebrations were predominantly exclusive to white communities, but as activists fought for equality, voices from African American, Latino, Asian American, and Native communities began to be heard and included in public celebrations. This was a crucial step toward a more inclusive understanding of Thanksgiving.
Time.news Editor: I find it intriguing that in 1970, Indigenous peoples began to resist the dominant narrative. Can you shed light on the National Day of Mourning?
Dr. Jamie Torres: Yes, the National Day of Mourning, established in 1970, serves as a powerful reminder of the losses sustained by Indigenous communities due to colonization. This event encourages reflection on what Thanksgiving represents for many—pain, oppression, and cultural erasure—rather than the traditional narrative of harmony and gratitude.
Time.news Editor: How can we move toward a more inclusive and accurate understanding of thanksgiving today?
Dr. Jamie Torres: The key lies in rethinking how we commemorate the holiday. We don’t need to detract from the celebration itself; rather, we should enrich it by incorporating the voices and histories of those historically marginalized. A collective reflection that includes these perspectives can foster greater understanding and true unity.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Torres, for providing such significant insights into the Thanksgiving narrative. Is there any final advice you woudl offer to our readers as they prepare to celebrate this holiday?
Dr. Jamie Torres: I encourage everyone to take the time to learn about the true history of thanksgiving and consider acknowledging the complex realities of those whose stories have been excluded. Engaging with this history allows for a more meaningful celebration that honors the diverse fabric of our society.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. torres, for your invaluable contributions to our understanding of Thanksgiving. We hope our readers reflect on these insights as they gather with family and friends this holiday season.