This 18th century illustration of the first Thanksgiving didn't depict reality, many Native Americans say.
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Current Event #10: The Pros and Cons of Thanksgiving
Due: Friday, December 2nd
Thanksgiving: A time of reflecting on all of the events and times one has encountered during the course of the year(s). It is a time when most of the world finds the time to gather with their loved ones and enjoy the company of one another. Thanksgiving day marks a period where the traditional holiday meal consists of a full course meal, including a carved turkey, a host of baked sweets, etc. We often find other activities coinciding as a result of this holiday, such as the BLACK FRIDAY (Day after Thanksgiving) retail sales and putting up Christmas decorations, to name a few. However, what does this day mean for some who don't quite have this same perspective, namely Native Americans. From a historical point of you, let's take a look back in hindsight, to read and define the origin of this revered national holiday.
What you will do:
You will visit the following link: http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/24/thanksgiving-is-some-native-americans-day-of-mourning/?hpt=us_bn1 , this will take you to the CNN article entitled: Thanksgiving is some Native Americans' "Day of Mourning". You are assigned to read this article to gather varying opinions surrounding the celebration of Thanksgiving. Upon reading the selection, I want you to begin formulating your own personal pros and cons about this celebrated day and discuss each in specific detail as you write your first paragraph(s). Provide examples of how you and your family celebrated Thanksgiving, and also a few family traditions performed.
Within the next 2-3 paragraphs, discuss how this article may or may not have changed the way you look at the way we celebrate this holiday. Express your thoughts/opinions based on the individuals mentioned in the article as to whether you feel Native Americans were wronged. Also provide a position in regards to the European settlers exploring new lands in America to create colonies. Let's examine the origin of the day set aside to give thanks to the yearly harvests of our hard labor!
