Teach the Children About Predatory Capitalism on Thanksgiving
It’s Thanksgiving Day. The kids have already drawn their hands and added a beak, turned paper bags into Native American clothing, and colored the Mayflower. Okay. Now just tell them about the genocide of America’s Native peoples.
Basically, according to age, tell them the real story behind the national holiday, beloved, how our quintessential origin story is rooted in pseudo-truth and outright lies, how generations have been fed a narrative that ignores land grabbing and predatory actions. capitalism, while imposing harmful stereotypes. Sure, the ignorance seeping into Granny’s corn powder can be bliss, but at a time when critical thinking skills are sorely needed, we need to start with the facts.
First, don’t worry if you don’t know much about the real story of Thanksgiving. You can start reading right now. Perhaps we will start with Professor James Lowen’s book “The Lie My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Was Wrong . “ Learn that pilgrims and Native Americans weren’t cool with each other (pilgrims were known to go into Indian dwellings and take whatever they wanted), that Plymouth village seemed like a good place to settle, because epidemics had already wiped out the indigenous peoples. – oh, and at the famous holiday there was no cake or turkey (most likely geese or duck).
Then, if your child’s school isn’t already doing it, check out the lesson plans where kids can read different interpretations of Thanksgiving — basic stories, Native American stories, and conservative views. Then ask them to answer these important questions. (Here is a PDF printout from the New York Times.)
From whose point of view is this story being told? What values and morals are embedded in this story and are transmitted in it? What does this story tell about our national heritage? What can these stories teach young children about broader topics such as sharing, American nation, cultural differences, giving and gratitude? Why do you think this version became the dominant Thanksgiving narrative? From what other perspectives could the story be told, and how might it look differently if told from these perspectives?
As Aquila S. Richards writes for Everyday Feminism , the story is offered in many American schools “through the warped lens of courage and dedication of white, heterosexual, Christian cis men – and cowardice (or worse, nonexistence) where it worries. everyone who does not belong to the dominant power. “
Let’s get started early to prevent a new generation from ironically appropriating Native American clothing at music festivals.