Thanksgiving Day, what traditionally was a time for family to come together, eat and express gratitude, has disconnected from it’s customs and become an unsettling gathering notorious for controversy.
The story of pilgrims celebrating a successful harvest with indigenous people is a facade to the horrendous history of America’s past. Knowing the mass genocide of native tribes was done by the hands of our ancestors makes commemorating this day by overindulging on turkey seem distasteful.
Forgetting the undeniable past to have a meal with relatives is easy in thought, but a divide has formed between families.
Political ideologies are a reason for people to refuse visiting one another. Previous discussions with family members that provoked heated debates at the dinner table have caused individuals to reconsider how they spend their day.
In the past 10 years, we’ve observed families disintegrate because of politics. Bloodline camaraderie has been abandoned and now more than ever, people are uncertain of what to do.
While one could use the time for rest, it is hard to relax while knowing what the day used to be.
Waking up to the aroma of green bean casserole cooking in the oven, sitting around the TV with siblings in pajamas watching the Macy’s Day Parade, throwing around a football with cousins while the game was on, dressing up in new clothes mom purchased only to get them dirty with gravy and running towards your grandparents as they walked through the front door.
The day gave us a sense of belonging, where we gathered with our community and laughed and loved. But now we struggle to find peace within the communities of our past.
These fading memories of our kinship hold the thread of love remaining for them. However, one more uncivil encounter with these individuals could be the last snip tearing the relationship apart.
Deciding to separate oneself from family on a day dedicated to unity can feel isolating. But it seems more reasonable than planning to engage in a grueling day of intolerable conversation with family members.
Instead of focusing on bloodline, one should find their family in friendship.
Friendsgiving can replace the tarnished holiday. People coming together who value and respect one another to give thanks and recognition to the many blessings from the past year is what the day is for.
Whether or not one has a huge family, group of friends or one person to gather with won’t change the effects of celebrating Thanksgiving.
Expressing gratitude towards others is a way to find positivity during ominous times. According to Positive Psychology Research, it has been proven to alleviate stress and improve how one deals with adversity.
So, find your community. The people who can make you smile when you want to cry and cry because you’re laughing too hard. This week off is well deserved and should be spent celebrating all your accomplishments from the fall semester surrounded by the people who supported you through it.
Take care of yourself and know there are people on campus who you can find a community with.
