I Might be Rocking the Boat

~ RuthScribbles

I am a white settler on the unceded Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo), Nʉmʉnʉʉ (Comanche), Tawakoni, and Wichita land, which is now named Ft Worth/Richland Hills, Texas. ~RuthScribbles

Tomorrow is:

Day of Mourning
Truthsgiving
Family Day
No more myths

Let’s mourn and tell the truth.
Let’s remove our blindfolds.
Let’s face the glaring light of colonialism.
Let’s decolonize and have Family Day – no more dressing up with Indian “hats” and pilgrim’s clothing.
No more myths.

Here are some links to learn about what different American Indians will be doing tomorrow.

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Learning the fuller history instead of just victorious myths is important. 
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“ Since 1970, Native Americans and our supporters have gathered at noon on Cole’s Hill in Plymouth to commemorate a National Day of Mourning on the US thanksgiving holiday. Many Native Americans do not celebrate the arrival of the Pilgrims and other European settlers. Thanksgiving day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands, and the relentless assault on Native culture. Participants in National Day of Mourning honor Native ancestors and the struggles of Native peoples to survive today. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism and oppression which Native Americans continue to experience.”
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Every year, more Americans opt out of celebrating Thanksgiving. Others heavily consider it.

Maybe it’s because they don’t have friends and family to share the holiday with, or simply don’t want to share the holiday with the friends and family they have.

Maybe it has something to do with the myth of Pilgrims giving thanks to “Indians” for helping them grow their first crop for the harvest, and reconciling that with the truth about the genocide of Indigenous peoples on this land by those settlers.

But we don’t have to reject the holiday completely. We can, and should, decolonize and reinterpret it.” 

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Happy Family Day!

~RuthScribbles

Published by RuthScribbles

Finding my voice through scribbles.

16 thoughts on “I Might be Rocking the Boat”

  7. Yes, it seems to be heavily lectured in elementary school, this myth of being thankful with the natives who saved the lives of struggling pilgrims. As an adult, I don’t think of Thanksgiving in that way anymore. It’s a time to slow down, gather with family and express gratitude for all our blessings. This year we should lean heavily on the gratitude. Less on the conquering, more on the acknowledging.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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