2 • BENNETT BANNER • NOVEMBER 19, 1999
OPINION . OPINION . OPINION • OPINION • OPINION
RUNGANO NYAJEKA
Managing Editor
What are we really celebrating
during Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is the official kickoff of the holiday season.
But do we really take time to reflect on the history of this American
tradition?
Our children are still taught, in some schools, that the first
thanksgiving dinner was held by the new settlers as a peace offering
feast with the Native Americans when in actuality, the pilgrims
were not faring well during their first winter in this foreign land.
They were starving and unable to
farm the new land, or gather food.
Native Americans in the area,
aware of these settlers and the
difficulties they were encounter
ing, extended their food and welcome to these pilgrims.
Technically the Native Americans were the givers and the
pilgrims were the receivers. With that in mind, the fictitious story
taught in many schools not only is an inaccurate account of history,
but it also does not capture the true reason why 300 years later
Americans observe a holiday of giving thanks.
We should no longer celebrate the tradition of commemo
rating pilgrims that took and did not give to the people they later
conquered. The proper observance of holiday wUl make proper
values popular.
As we get together with family and friends to give thanks
for all that the year has brought and whatever may be in store in the
new year, we should take time to reflect on the history of this
tradition. With the obligations of the society, it is necessary to take
time to celebrate with loved ones and feasts and parties.
The opinion expressed in this column is that of the author and does not
necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire Bennett Banner staff.
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Do you think today's celebration of Thanksgiv
ing really captures the true meaning of the
holiday?
Photos by Marie Smith, Chief Photographer
ASHLEY WATERS
CLASS: FRESHWOMAN
MAJOR: ENGLISH
HOME STATE: NEVADA
The majority of people that pray
over Thanksgiving dinner don't
know the struggle that cultures
have gone through to attain
power over this holiday. Most
people worry about the fulfill
ment of their stomachs and their
minds.
TIANNA BARNES
CLASS: FRESHWOMAN
MAJOR: PSYCHOLOGY
HOME STATE: CALIFORNIA
Thanksgiving is no longer about
getting together with family and
friends to give thanks to God for
His blessings. People today use
Thanksgiving as an excuse to
eat, and ignore the true mean
ing.
KATHRYN EARLEY
CLASS: JUNIOR
MAJOR: BIOLOGY
HOME STATE: OHIO
I believe this holiday’s true
meaning is captured because
every Thanksgiving, families
across the country gather in a
great fellowship over a feast and
enjoy the idea of family and the
time of sharing with each other.
MICHELLE PITTS
CLASS: FRESHWOMAN
MAJOR; COMP. SCI.
HOME STATE: NORTH CAROLINA
I don't believe that the history of
Thanksgiving is celebrated.
When we think of Thanksgiving,
we think of eating. No one really
talks about the history [ of
Thanksgiving ]
ABBA PACE
CLASS: SOPHOMORE
MAJOR: BIOLOGY
HOME STATE: VIRGINIA
I do ru)t believe in this day and
time that the history of Thanks
giving is being captured by our
generation because I hear a lot
of people talking about how
good they are going to eat and
not thanking God for what He
has done and is still doing for
them.
KELLI ANDERSON
CLASS: JUNIOR
MAJOR: SPECIAL ED.
HOME STATE: WASH D.C.
I think that the holiday, Thanks
giving, was intended for the
Europeans arul the Native
Americans to come together. I
think that it is a great time for
feasting and to bring family and
all nations together to be
thankful.