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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

How To Talk To Your Children About Thanksgiving's Ugly History

This week, schoolchildren across the country will come home from elementary and preschool armed with cutout paper turkeys and stories excitedly recounted about the first Thanksgiving, all those years ago in Plymouth, Mass. At school, most will learn the traditional narrative of hungry Pilgrims aided by friendly Native Americans, who shared their bounty with their less-fortunate immigrant neighbors.

But while this heartwarming story may be historically accurate, what happens next to these 17th century Native Americans and their descendants is usually left out of the classroom. Strikingly, Thanksgiving is often the only time of the year when Americans think about the history, however partial, of Native Americans. But aren’t we missing an opportunity to use this holiday as a springboard to really talk to our children about Native American history and cultures?
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9 comments:

Anonymous said...

our first "thanksgiving" we shared OUR bounty with the Indians. Read real history; not revisionist history. you'll be surprised what you learn...

Anonymous said...

Good comment, 2:58. This sappy historical revision does NOT need to be taught to our children. It is well about time that we stop teaching that 'the white devil' is responsible for all of the world's ills. The first Thanksgiving was, in many ways, exactly as portrayed -tho' there were twice as many natives in attendance as there were colonists. The problems didn't start until King Philip's War - and there is plenty of blame to apply to BOTH sides for that mess.

This linked crap is from the L.A. Times. A liberal propaganda rag almost as bad as the NY Times.

Anonymous said...

Teach your children to count their blessings on Thanksgiving and leave the nasty stuff to those extremist that want to go throughout life raging against everything and anything.

SICK AND TIRED said...

We should succeed from Maryland and form the 51-ST State...too many liberals on the other side of the BAY BRIDGE...than we can charge $25.00 a car to come over here to see the shore too!

Anonymous said...

The Europeans brought the natives the most precious gift of all, the chance to be saved by Christ our Lord and Savior :) have a Blessed Thanksgiving

Anonymous said...

sounds like alot of you need a real history lesson. One based on an open and honest look at the facts. Not a preconceived narrative that strokes your cultural/political ego.

958: that and small pox. lol

Anonymous said...

Just another radical trying to put a negative spin on an American holiday.

Anonymous said...

Christ had arrived long before the Europeans arrived.The Indians knew him well,because he did not need a boat to come to North America,duh.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Teach your children to count their blessings on Thanksgiving and leave the nasty stuff to those extremist that want to go throughout life raging against everything and anything.

November 28, 2013 at 9:03 AM

I tend to agree with what you say. So many negative people. It's one thing to have valid concerns about some things, but geesh, everything seems to make them unhappy.

Happy turkey day