Much like Columbus Day, more and more Americans are experiencing a more fraught and complicated relationship with Thanksgiving. Particularly in 2020, the knowledge that this American tradition is based on more myth than historical fact, and obscures the fraught and violent relationship that early colonists had with Native Americans is tough to reconcile.
I don’t want to dissect that relationship too much here, mainly because there are so many articles, like this one here, that already have better than I can. I’m posting a call to action instead. If this year has taught me anything about social justice, it’s that education of a social justice issue must be matched with action. It’s not enough to know how Native Americans have been wronged, actions to assist them are needed too.
So I’m taking a cue from actress Hilary Burton, and donating masks to Native American reservations that need them. These communities have been hit especially hard by COVID-19, and donated masks will help greatly. Below are addresses where donated masks can be sent, originally posted on Burton’s Instagram page.
I think that with a lot of holidays – people gloss over the roots and romantasice them.
That may be partly because people just love family events, with a lot of great food and a break from work. But the more you learn about the roots of holidays the more bizarre it seems that they are so popular today.
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Thank you for sharing this, L. Growing up learning the “white-washed” version of the history of the Native Americans, I was shocked to find on my own the atrocities that have been committed against the tribes across the US. Yes, you are so right, we must do what we can to help especially when their communities are among the hardest hit during this pandemic!
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Thank you for reading! I’m happy to hear that it resonated.
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You’re welcome! It not only resonated, but inspired me to share with all my friends on FB to commit to either sharing or sending masks and I ordered and sent masks to all addresses. It felt good to do so! Thanks again. 🙂
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That’s fantastic to hear! Thank you for sharing and encouraging others to do so!
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My pleasure! 🙂
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