Thanksgiving is usually perceived as a relatively positive holiday by many Americans due to willful ignorance or a lack of education on the history of what Thanksgiving truly symbolizes. 

Thanksgiving is often characterized by the making and sharing of various foods, giving thanks to the gifts around you, and generally coming together as a family. It is seen as a peaceful day celebrating the bond between the Natives that already occupied—what is now known as Plymouth Massachusetts—and the Christian Pilgrims who settled on this land in 1620 as they broke bread amongst one another. You will have likely heard this story in school in the younger days of life. However, this peaceful narrative is far from the true events leading up to and on the day of Thanksgiving. 

The truth of Thanksgiving is much more brutal and animalistic. When the Pilgrims came to settle on the land of Plymouth, cruelty and tragedy followed. Diseases carried by the Pilgrims ravaged the populations of the Natives of the land which in turn allowed for a quicker colonization of the land. It was also common for settlers to sell Natives into slavery. Furthermore, there were countless mass genocides against the Natives able to withstand the atrocities already plaguing the population of the Natives of Plymouth. Additionally, the great feast meant to symbolize coming together to celebrate was exclusive to the pilgrims as Natives were not invited. It was not until the leader of the Wampanoag tribe, Ousamequin created a union and it was only after three days of spending time together that they finally sat and feasted together. 

In the present day, there are conflicting feelings about Thanksgiving. While some Native Americans completely disregard the holiday and see it as immoral and degrading to celebrate it—rightfully so—, some Native Americans believe it can be used as a day of mourning and should be used to support Native Americans and to recognize the unjustified genocide of their ancestors. 

Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or choose not to do it, it is imperative to listen to the voices of Native Americans to remain respectful and mindful of those who lost their lives during this day and years of torment.