Musings from a Not-So-Master Teacher

Tomorrow is not Turkey Day.  It's Thanksgiving.  There's a big difference.  Now, I understand why people would not want to celebrate Thanksgiving.  After all the Europeans did commit genocide with biological warfare, the burning of homes and the torture of the Native Americans.  So, I can see why Thanksgiving would be a difficult day for some.  Still, in reviewing all the primary sources, it seems that Thanksgiving was a rare occasion of friendship between the two cultures.  It was not "white man shares food with red brother" as it was once presented to students.  Yet, there was a sense that it was a bright part of a dark history. 

At our school, I was told by a few people to avoid using the term "Thanksgiving."  Apparently, it has a religious overtone that could lead to lawsuits.  We had a great fundraiser dance that was called "Turkey Dance," because we wanted to be careful with saying thanksgiving.  I was told by several teachers to refer to this break as a Turkey Break.  Again, they site religion as being the major concern. 

Since when is being thankful against anyone's religion?  I've never met anyone from any faith who said, "We don't really believe in being thankful."  Even atheists can be thankful.  Six hundred years ago they would be burned at the stake or tossed to the Inquisition.  At the same time, we say "Halloween" all the time. Classes have parties and teachers dress up for it.  I never hear people say, "Avoid that term, becuase it angers people."  We do Valentine's Day (named after a saint) and St. Patrick's Day.  Yet we can't say "Thanksgiving." 

My greater concern is when holidays lose their meaning.  I wonder, for example, if pagans ever say, "I miss Halloween.  It used to be about animal sacrifices and spirits.  Now everyone is in it for the candy.  People say 'trick or treat' but they really don't mean it."  It feels like Christmas is so commercialized and Easter is about a bunny.  At least Thanksgiving had universal appeal.  The turkey is simply and excuse to spend time with family and be thankful about life.  When we make it about a turkey, we've missed the point entirely.