HISTORY This Week
Thanksgiving Reconsidered
Nov 25, 2024
David Silverman, a historian and author of "This Land Is Their Land," delves into the untold story of Thanksgiving. He discusses the pivotal 1970 protest in Plymouth organized by Wampanoag activist Wamsutta Frank James, highlighting the ongoing National Day of Mourning. Silverman challenges the glorified Thanksgiving narrative, exposing myths versus realities for Native Americans, particularly the Wampanoag. The conversation underscores the need to confront historical injustices and the resilience of Indigenous voices in reclaiming their stories.
39:57
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Quick takeaways
- The traditional Thanksgiving narrative obscures a history of violence and oppression faced by Native Americans, reshaping our understanding of the holiday's significance.
- Indigenous activists, like Wamsutta Frank James and his granddaughter, highlight the importance of reclaiming and sharing the true story behind Thanksgiving to advocate for Native rights.
Deep dives
A Different Perspective on Thanksgiving
The traditional Thanksgiving narrative is often sanitized, presenting a harmonious encounter between Pilgrims and Native Americans. However, this version overlooks decades of brutality and suffering experienced by Native populations prior to and following the arrival of the Pilgrims. Notably, the famous Plymouth Rock is not where the Pilgrims actually landed, as it was moved there later to create a mythologized birthplace of America. The reality is that this holiday is rooted in a history of colonization and conflict, which frequently gets ignored in mainstream celebrations.
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