Introduction
Thanksgiving is one of the most significant features of the American culture. The event has been around for well over three centuries, if the English pilgrim’s tale is anything to go by. Speaking of national recognition of the event, though, the day dates back to the November of 1863, when the then president Abraham Lincoln accented requests and proposals by various stakeholders to have a national thanksgiving day (Grippo and Hoskins 23). In his words, Lincoln asked all Americans to hold the celebrations as a way of asking God to “commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife” (History.com 2). The ironic part of the history of thanksgiving is that it was declared a national holiday in the midst of the civil war. One then wonders, why are we celebrating the murder of very many Americans and foreigners in the name of thanksgiving? The ethical and moral justification debates of Thanksgiving Day have prompted many gurus in national matters to re-think the recognition of the day. This paper seeks to explain why Thanksgiving Day is important, and ought to be observed despite its controversial declaration and vague history.
A brief history
Traditionally, Thanksgiving Day is associated with the tale of the association between the English immigrants and the Native Americans – especially the Wampanoag people. According to distant history, Thanksgiving Day is associated with the docking of a ship known as Mayflower in Massachusetts. The ship, which had set out from Plymouth in England had approximately 101 men, women and children that were in search of religious freedom (History.com 1). These separatists sought to break away from the Church of England, which was arguably the dominant church in Europe. Upon arrival in America, the English people were faced with adversity – a harsh winter, hunger, difficulties with the terrain and so on. Luckily the native Wampanoag people were sympathetic enough. They guided the foreigners on how to go about fishing, hunting and tilling the land (History.com 1). When the foreigners harvested that autumn, they invited the Wampanoag people over for a thanksgiving celebration – and this became the first Thanksgiving Day.
A tradition of murder and mayhem
Research indicates that most Native Americans are dissatisfied with the way Thanksgiving Day is presented to the modern American public. According to the natives, who rely on the information passed down through the generations, there were never friendly ties between the native Wampanoag and the incoming pilgrims, as the separatists from England were commonly known as. On the contrary, there was a series of clashes between the natives and the foreigners. These clashes were characterized by serious bloodbath. The natives therefore challenge the view that they collaborated with the incoming pilgrims. They dismiss this as a negative portrayal of the relationships between the natives and the English. If this tale is anything to go by, Americans are currently, blindly celebrating a tradition of mayhem and murder. Secondly, the official ratification of the Thanksgiving Day came in the midst of the civil war – a time when many lost their lives and experienced massive destruction of property (History.com 2). Again the question comes, why do we celebrate?
Ignorance Is Not Bliss
Fundamentally, therefore, Americans are celebrating a day that they should be mourning. This has been termed as the worst form of ignorance. Ignorance, in the sense that very few, if any, have sought to comprehend the true history of Thanksgiving Day as it is portrayed to the American public today. Whether the story that explains the origins of thanksgiving is fact, myth or fiction, it really does not matter much as the time during which the events took place is clearly known (Grippo and Hoskins 71). The civil war was arguably the darkest hour in the history of the United States. Still, people find reason to celebrate. The move by Abraham Lincoln to make the day a formally recognized holiday has been challenged fiercely by political leaders and historians, who argue that Americans are simply riding on ignorance. The perhaps the only thing that appears positive about the celebration of the day is that, in the formal political spectrum, it was first proposed by governor George Washington, who argued that the day should be meant for the celebration of the independence of the nation, and ratification of the mighty American constitution.
While it is true that Thanksgiving Day is controversial, and should not be celebrated following its dark history, it is important that people observe the day. However, in my opinion, the American public needs to be told the truth. It is high time the Americans knew the history behind the day they so dearly regard (Hutton 85). This, however, does not mean that the United States government should scrap off the day. It means that they should reveal the history, but let people observe the day as a way of thanking God for various reasons. There are many things to be thankful about, especially as an American. It therefore follows that the Americans should only be given the objective truth and be advised that there are different reasons to celebrate apart from the tradition of serious murders and mayhem. In my opinion, therefore, truth is necessary but does not warrant the elimination of the day from the calendars and official recognition. Apparently, the main reason why it will not make sense to scrap off the day is because it will be a disruption of a culture that has been in place for more than a couple of centuries. Disrupting the American culture will not be a prudent step, especially considering that it is a beautiful blend of world cultures.
Breaking out of ignorance means that the Americans should learn the factual history of the Thanksgiving Day as it is told through objective sources. There ought to be a consensus in the historical records. Currently, some credit Abraham Lincoln for the declaration of the first Thanksgiving Day. Others think Governor William Bradford of the pilgrims was the first to declare a day of giving thanks. On the contrary, other historians argue that there had been many other European explorers visiting the east coast of America, long before the arrival of the pilgrims (Grippo and Hoskins 112). According to such historians, the earlier Europeans, especially the Spaniard leaders had, on many occasions invited people for a thanksgiving dinner. Such historians argue that, no doubt, the Spaniards were the first ones to declare thanksgiving. What one may fail to understand is whether or not the reasons for the Spaniard thanksgiving dinners are known. Revealing all these will clear the ignorance behind the celebrations.
Despite being so far behind our time, the day is worth noting. It does make a difference because, distant as it may appear, the day is one among the national symbols that bring the Americans together. Despite the fact that the day is associated with the ancient past, it remains imperative for us to celebrate and observe the day because it has more than just an official national break. On the contrary, it contains religious significance. The day’s significance is rooted in the words that brought it into being. Most notably, when it was declared a national day on the first day of November 1777, the religiosity in the meaning of the day was born in these words. "for solemn thanksgiving and praise. That with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their Divine Benefactor” (Hutton 66).
Foremost, when Governor William Bradford was asking the pilgrims to observe the day, he sought to imply the religiosity in the message. Bradford asked the pilgrims to meet at the church on the hill, saying “All ye Pilgrims with your wives and little ones, do gather at the Meeting House, on the hill there to listen to the pastor, and render Thanksgiving to the Almighty God for all His blessings" (Hutton 72) It therefore follows that this day is not only meant for the people back in the day, but also for us today. For as long as religion is a primary factor and determinant of the social lives of, not only Americans but the entire human race, Thanksgiving Day is a noteworthy event. In conclusion, it is clear from the foregoing that, in my thinking, the Americans are ignorantly celebrating that which is not worth it. Even so, considering that the day is part and parcel of the American culture, it should not be scrapped off from the books of the United States. On the contrary, people should just be told the truth, so that they can find true reasons to celebrate their culture.
Works Cited
Grippo, Robert M, and Christopher Hoskins. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2004. Print.
History.com. Thanksgiving. 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving.
Hutton, Frankie. Outsiders in 19th Century Press History: Multicultural Perspectives. Bowling Green: Bowling Green State Univ. Popular Press, 1995. Print.
