It is that time of the year again. The holiday known as Thanksgiving is upon us, and America will be celebrating its colonizing ways by stuffing its collective faces full of poor, innocent turkeys. While this day is fraught with problematic elements, progressives should not give in to despair – at least not more than is typical for those focused on the plight of marginalized groups everywhere. This article will serve as a guide to making your holiday less racist, less colonial, and more inclusive by applying the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Recognize Thanksgiving as a White Supremacist Holiday
The key to ensuring that you and your racist relatives enjoy the holiday is to recognize the inherent white supremacy in the celebration. One of the ways to do this is to insist that those attending Thanksgiving dinner participate in land acknowledgments before eating.
This custom involves a formal statement that an event is occurring in an area previously inhabited by indigenous people who were brutalized by white men who stole their territory. By doing this, you can effectively set the tone for the rest of the evening and encourage your relatives to reflect on the vicious racism their ancestors exhibited.
Another top tip for making your Thanksgiving more antiracist is to call out any family members who have ever exhibited symptoms of racism. This could include bringing up remarks they made that could be insensitive to people of color. For example, did they like or share a post on social media suggesting that America should enforce immigration laws? Perhaps they failed to approach a black mother in the grocery store to apologize for the oppression they have inflicted on them. These things should be brought up before dinner, at the table, and even after eating to cement the message.
What About People of Color?
Some might have noticed that this guide has focused on white families celebrating Thanksgiving. This is because it is they who need these tips the most. In fact, people of color should never commemorate this holiday because they have nothing for which to be grateful as minorities in an oppressive society.
The fact of the matter is that people of color who hold Thanksgiving dinners at their homes unknowingly uphold the white supremacist power structure in America. By not purposely ignoring the holiday, they are saying to the nation: “It is okay to oppress black and brown people.”
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Indeed, their time would be better spent holding nationwide protests in the street against the pervasive racism that remains in American society and at all levels of the government. It would be even better if they were to view Thanksgiving as an opportunity to engage in yearly riots. Nothing would send a message like burning down buildings and looting stores on one of America’s most cherished holidays.
Say ‘No’ to Turkey Day
It might be tempting to use Thanksgiving to connect with your relatives and focus on everything for which you are grateful. Unfortunately, many erroneously believe they should have fun and laugh with their loved ones. You are responsible for ensuring that this is a time when everyone thinks about the grief they have caused for millions upon millions of black and brown Americans who never had the opportunity to thrive in this country. Perhaps by recognizing the ills of our society, white progressives can be better equipped to rescue the nation’s people of color from the racism the United States has used to oppress them systematically.
Who needs turkey and good cheer when we all know grievance and recrimination are far more filling for the soul?