Eat Nothing Day
Hey, if you want to spoil the pristine Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving you’re having with your relatives today, read this story “No Thanks to Thanksgiving” by UT journalism professor Robert Jensen outloud during your mealtime prayer.And then, read this blog.
Jensen fails to point out an interesting little tidbit of history. Native Americans aren’t the only ones that hate Thanksgiving. Americans living in the South — especially Dallas, Texas — hate Thanksgiving, too. At least the old-timers do, anyway. Why? Abraham Lincoln and that whole Civil War thing.
But Honest Abe, with the best of intentions, was trying to be a nice guy to the South when he ordered that a parade be performed by some guy named Macy to honor all the balloons that died during the battle of Gettysburg. Why he scheduled the parade on the same day as the Dallas Cowboy game is beyond me, but it’s the thought that counts, right? (Wait, that’s another holiday. Ah, forget it.)
Anyway, the scripture readings in our Thanksgiving Eve church service last night support Abe’s spirit of reconciliation. Check out the end of Deuteronomy 26: 1-11 where it says something like “Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house.”
Hey, Bob, it’s cool that you’re sticking up for Native Americans on Thanksgiving, but white privilege hurts white people, too, remember? Maybe instead of imposing our righteousness on others, we should let them eat a meal in any way they like. Humanity shouldn’t be forced on people who don’t want it. Mark Twain said that. At least he should have.
— ND
