THE BIRTH OF A MODERN FAMILY HOLIDAY

Back in the day, when European immigrants first landed in what would become the good ol’ US of A, settlers and natives didn’t really get along.

DARK HISTORY

Overall, the two sides feared each other. There was bloodshed on both sides, for in the 1600s and beyond there were many scuffles and raids. In 1609, the Powhatan people staged an attack on the English settlement of Jamestown in hopes of deterring the settlers from making their stay a permanent one.

However, that attack only led to bad blood and a series of exchanged assaults thereafter, which eventually led to the 1622 Jamestown Massacre.

UNLIKELY ALLIANCE

Other settlements were not doing much better. Plymouth settlers were starving and sick. The death toll was enormous; nearly half of the population died before the first winter of their stay had ended. They had also had a few minor, but unpleasant run-ins with natives, though they were not violent encounters. In the spring of 1621 the Pilgrim-Wampanoag Peace treaty was signed, and in the fall the “first” Thanksgiving took place.

Bear in mind that the idea of thanksgiving did not emerge from that first intercultural celebration that we learn about in first grade. Thanksgiving is a Judeo-Christian tradition based heavily in the Old Testament, in which followers give thanks to the Lord for all their good fortune. The fall celebration of 1621 was called thanksgiving because the settlers were giving thanks to God for their bountiful harvest – a festivity likely based on the Judaic tradition of Sukkot – and the good prospects of surviving the winter.

If anything, that celebration could be considered the first Thanksgiving holiday. After being taught by Tisqauntum (Squanto) how to plant flourishing maize crops in the spring, the settlers had enough food to last the winter, which of course was cause for celebration. After a few settlers had gone out hunting for fowl, which had yielded enough food for a week, the feast was on. Then 90 natives showed up with venison to add to the feast, which ended up lasting three days. This celebration really set in stone the idea that the Massachusetts settlers and the native nations of the Wampanoag alliance were at peace.

The peace treaty lasted a little over 50 years.

WHAT IT MEANS TO US

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national thanksgiving to be on the last Thursday of November, due to social pressure and the idea that it could bring the splintering nation together. However, just as it had been done previously, it was the duty of the reigning president to proclaim the day annually. It was not made a formal national holiday until 1942, when President Franklin Roosevelt announced that Thanksgiving was to be the fourth Thursday of every November.

Now, Thanksgiving, as a holiday, has moved away from its religious roots, and has come to represent family and relationships. This allows individuals from all backgrounds to take part in the national tradition.

For perspective, Airlines for America, an airline trade group, estimates there will be 30.6 million airline passengers during the Thanksgiving travel period this month. Thanksgiving Day is often touted as the busiest travel day of the year, as people drive and fly home to their families.

What can we take from all this? Thanksgiving is a day on which we should all put our differences aside and be grateful for all the good things in our life. So remember the natives and the settlers who put their differences aside for 50 years of peace, when politics start to infect the turkey talk. We should all take a moment to be grateful that we aren’t threatened with starvation or deathly illness.

HELP FROM BARNEY

To those at Mt. Hood who fear going hungry this Thanksgiving, we’d like to remind students that they are welcome to enjoy a free meal from Barney’s Pantry, located in the Student Union. The pantry is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and is available to any student or faculty member who presents a valid MHCC ID.

During this holiday about connections, no one should feel lonely or go hungry, which is why Barney’s Pantry is hosting a food and clothing drive. Doctor Abio Ayeliya, Mt. Hood engagement coordinator, said, “We’re collecting a lot, so at least we will have food for students for Thanksgiving.”

We’d also like to invite students and staff to our own small feast from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, in the Advocate office, Room 1369 in the Integrated Media building.

Happy Thanksgiving, from all of us at the Advocate!