I have always thought of Thanksgiving as one of better socialized holidays. Not because of its white-washed history of the coming together of Native Americans and Colonizers to eat turkey. For African Americans, Thanksgiving is about getting together with friends and family. Thanksgiving is a time for family to talk, listen to music and dance, laugh, play games, and most importantly – eat. Our Thanksgiving Day focused on feast and fellowship.
Being in a house where good food is cooking on Thanksgiving Day is one of the greatest joys in life. Smelling food that you know is going to be so delicious that it makes putting up with certain family members worth it. There are no pretenses with Thanksgiving. No stress of buying a gift, giving money, or dressing a certain way. The only expectation is to bring an appetite and have fun. Sitting at a table, eating, and laughing are the true joys of Thanksgiving.
This Thanksgiving Day will be different than last year. We are no longer social distancing the way we were in 2020 and 2021. Celebrating togetherness, generosity, and gratitude is the true focus of Thanksgiving. However, we should not forget the original Thanksgiving was a celebration of a massacre against Native Americans. Whether your holiday gathering is virtual or six feet apart, please continue to remain safe and keep one another safe.