I was in elementary school. My teacher, I think her name was Ms. Johnson, taught us all about how the pilgrims came to Plymouth. The natives greeted the white man with open arms (that much is true) and taught the white man about the ways of the land. We then dressed up in either head bands with feathers in them or paper hats that the pilgrims possibly wore and ate, just like they did on thanksgiving day! I was all happy, had my native American get-up on and marched off the buss on home to tell my parents how cool that day was.
When I got home my mom sat me down and told me what ACTUALLY happened. The white men came to the natives' home and, with fear, armed themselves against the peaceful inhabitants. From then on, on thanksgiving day that's all I can think about.
Who are we thanking on this Thanksgiving day? So we're thanking someone for food. God? Just a guess? Just a national holiday to thank god for giving us food and celebrating what may have happened. There's no separation of church and state.
With a handshake or two,
Sam Cook
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