So I’m going to be that party pooper who really just isn’t into this prompt. First off, I’m an import. Sort of. My parents came here the year before I was born, and I grew up in their culture and mindset. I don’t feel particularly connected to Canada or Canadian culture, so things like Canada Day and Thanksgiving… well, they really just don’t mean much to me. Even less when you’re talking American Thanksgiving, which I’m assuming is what this prompt is for since we had Thanksgiving here last month.
On top of that, historically, it’s offensive. And the more I learn about the history of White people’s “discovery” of America, the more it seems like a farce to celebrate some mythical breaking of bread between the invaders and the people they would try to wipe out. Yeah, I’m not really feeling that.
I know for a lot of people this is problematic, but the holiday is an excuse to eat good food and spend time with family. Sure, fair enough. But as mentioned in my first point, it’s never been that for me either. We didn’t celebrate it when I was a kid, and I’ve never been that into it as an adult. So if you’re a big Thanksgiving person, no shade, it’s just not my jam. Also, I’m vegetarian so turkey doesn’t do much for me either.
How about you tell me what you like to do or eat for Thanksgiving, and what your take is on the whole thing? And if you have any cool traditions that are unique to your family, I’d love to hear about them. It’d give me something fun to associate Thanksgiving with in future!
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I deliberately skipped this one as I’m in the UK, where we don’t do it. I will admit to liking the sound of everyone’s Thanksgiving foods though.
Yeah… I feel like these days most people just like the excuse for family time and food!
Two thoughts here:
1. You’re not wrong. The whole thing is a weird sort of propaganda, rewriting the actual history.
2. I feel like when the traditions are bad, we should replace them with new traditions. (Or give them up, but sometimes that’s harder.) I like, for example, just taking a bit of time to enumerate the things I’m grateful for; that will be tomorrow’s blog post.
I agree! In my kid’s school they actually do teach that now. That thanksgiving is for acknowledging the things and people in your life you’re grateful for, and why. I like that, and I think the land we live on (for those of us on unceded lands) is top of that list! I’m all for traditions and making time for gratitude. So I think that and taking it as a time to learn more about the indigenous communities where we live is a good shift that still allows for gathering and celebration (and food!).
I’m vegetarian, too. I make chick pea patties instead of turkey. Even when I was a kid before I became vegetarian I disliked turkey. I’m with you on the family thing, too. I don’t mind cooking and eating on the holiday with my immediate family in my own home, but I’m not into larger celebrations outside of that. When I was a kid, we celebrated Thanksgiving as a major family holiday with relatives and I seriously disliked it. I don’t miss it at all.
We never ate turkey, so I didn’t even try it until I was an adult. Frankly I think chicken is better! That’s what we had when I was a kid. I didn’t have a lot of family around when I was a kid, so I get easily overwhelmed by gatherings of more than 4 or 5 people. I know it’s important to those around me, so I do make an effort. But it’s not something that comes naturally to me!