As Thanksgiving appraches, it is recognizable that hardly anyone is concerned with the historic significance of the holiday. Many may ask whether or not this is a good or bad thing. Some recognize the arrival of this holiday as a representation of the bloodshed, destruction, racism, and the obliteration of Native American culture. Businesses recognizes it as a time for major advertisement, and a hopefully profitable season. Others, although they know the real unfortunate history of the story of pilgrims and Native Americans, don’t believe that the holiday is a celebration of destruction and massacre. To those people, Thanksgiving is the official arrival of the holiday season and a time for family reflection. It is a time traditionally when families come together, not looking to receive anything in particular from each other, but to give thanks for the quality time and cherishing memories.
The most historical aspect that Americans recognize today about Thanksgiving is that it is still a time for celebration. We are taught in grade school that the first Thanksgiving was the celebration between the pilgrims and Native Americans. Later, we learn the real history–including all of the bloodshed and massacre. Like Columbus Day, it is one of those holidays that sometimes gets a tarnished image. But are we really celebrating the destruction and slaughter? Genocide and political incorrectness?
Most people today do know the real history of the holiday and they choose not to ignore it, but instead, celebrate a different meaning. To many teens, Thanksgiving represents a time to give thanks.
“Thanksgiving is a time to bond with the ones you love and be thankful for each other while the moment is still alive,” said junior Velvetena Springer.
It may be a time to give up big bucks, or a time for remembrance of the lost of a culture. One thing is for certain, though, it is a time for, well…thanks.