It’s that time of year again. The heaviest travel day in the United States. The time when family and friends gather to feast, mingle, catch up, argue and watch a little football. Since the expansion of social media, it’s also the time where we are reminded of the horrific tragedy that befell our original citizens, the Native Americans. The memes are have been prepared with care, ready to remind America of just one of it’s original sins.
I get it. As a matter of fact, I endorse the expressions of truth regarding the historically accurate facts of our nations history and hypocrisies. Those that know me, know that I do that just about everyday.
But there is another side to this as well. As a people, especially people who have been the abused, the tortured, the terrorized and murdered, those who have been placed in the under caste status; Those of us who have survived in spite of the fact that we are still in a battle for our lives; With our ingenuity and ability to adapt on the run, we have managed to turn what was originally a negative into our own divine positive.
I remember as a boy in school hearing that story about the pilgrims and the settlers. I remember drawing turkeys by tracing the body and head around my spread apart hand. Like every other school kid, that part about the small pox blankets and slaughters were left out. But you know what, growing up at MY house, we never talked about that crap anyway. For my parents, grandparents, aunts and elders, it was about the fellowship around a meal that took several hours of hard work and dedication to perfect. (Or at least try to perfect)
Listen, as a people, even as we come into new knowledge, we should also embrace our abilities to make lemonade out of lemons, sugar out of sh#! And you know what, there is no need for us to apologize for it. One of my biggest realizations in life is that two things can be true at the exact same time. Yes Thanksgiving as is being told to us traditionally is a farce. One could compare it to the Nazi’s telling a false narrative of how they collaborated with Jews in Europe. We should know that history. Equally true, is that like many other things in life, we as a people have created our own narratives and definitions thereby turning a tragedy upon its head and making our empowering choices work for us.
I’m a social and political warrior. Many of you are. Even in war time, troops get leave, rest. In order to fight the long game and not die of exhaustion, you must come away. Traditions are neither good nor bad. They are the product of who and what we decide to make them to be. Though I am mindful to thankful everyday, there is something good about much of our activities stopping, folk taking the time to slow down, be present and enjoy a few moments where we are all focusing on the same things. I can do that and still fight for and stand with Standing Rock.
Bless You All~
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