What is it about the story of “The First Thanksgiving” that makes it essential to be taught in virtually every grade from preschool through high school? What is it about the story that is so seductive? Why has it become an annual elementary school tradition to hold Thanksgiving pageants, with young children dressing up in paper-bag costumes and feather-duster headdresses and marching around the schoolyard? Why is it seen as necessary for fake “pilgrims” and fake “Indians” (portrayed by real children, many of whom are Indian) to sit down every year to a fake feast, acting out fake scenarios and reciting fake dialogue about friendship? And why do teachers all over the country continue (for the most part, unknowingly) to perpetuate this myth year after year after year?
Is it because as Americans we have a deep need to believe that the soil we live on and the country on which it is based was founded on integrity and cooperation? This belief would help contradict any feelings of guilt that could haunt us when we look at our role in more recent history in dealing with other indigenous peoples in other countries. If we dare to give up the “myth” we may have to take responsibility for our actions both concerning indigenous peoples of this land as well as those brought to this land in violation of everything that makes us human. The realization of these truths untold might crumble the foundation of what many believe is a true democracy. As good people, can we be strong enough to learn the truths of our collective past? Can we learn from our mistakes? This would be our hope.
By Judy Dow (Abenaki) and Beverly Slapin
Revised 06/12/06
Mess knows that this may bring some of you down, but think about all the backlash against immigrants. Were those pilgrims not "crossing the border"? Was the huge wave of European immigrants (and that includes half of my family, hello!) in the early 1900's not "crossing the border"? Everyone in our nation, except Native Americans, are immigrants. So when jack asses like SLICK PERRY run ads that urge people to "TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY" I really don't understand what the hell he means. Sorry, no habla Perry speak.
I guess I was blessed to miss out on the pageants but I was taught the myths. It is a sad part of history that is rarely taught about what the palefaces did to the Native Americans. But then again I've always been one for the underdog.
ReplyDelete