My family arrived on this continent in 1640. I am unsure if any ancestors participated directly in the horrible genocide of the Native American population, but certainly they benefited from the actions of heartless murderers. Not just those first generations in the 1600's, but every generation following has lived in our “wonderful melting pot” of humanity (ignoring, of course, all indigenous descendants still condemned to live in isolation).
For many years I have considered that a truthful activity for Thanksgiving would be for us all to give deep thanks that the encountered natives were not better warriors than our ancestors. Such an acknowledgement runs counter to the myopic narcissism we hold as “proud Americans," but it is profoundly more truthful than our shared myth of being welcomed by the encountered inhabitants.
I grant that I am not personally responsible for this morbid colonization of what evolved to become the United States, but that evil stain of inhumanity shades my soul.
When I consider what we—as Americans—have done with this collective strength since our coalescence as a republic, I posit that we’ve continued warring wherever we can around the world. Again, I grant that I have not advocated for any of this mass murder committed in so many places, but it was my country that used atomic weapons, agent orange, carpet-bombs and “shock and awe” to eliminate millions of souls. Again, the resultant stains shade my soul.
I encourage all Americans to consider our collective inhumanity and become more involved in embracing a peaceful presence in the world.
Giving Thanks
My family arrived on this continent in 1640. I am unsure if any ancestors participated directly in the horrible genocide of the Native American population, but certainly they benefited from the actions of heartless murderers. Not just those first generations in the 1600's, but every generation following has lived in our “wonderful melting pot” of humanity (ignoring, of course, all indigenous descendants still condemned to live in isolation).
For many years I have considered that a truthful activity for Thanksgiving would be for us all to give deep thanks that the encountered natives were not better warriors than our ancestors. Such an acknowledgement runs counter to the myopic narcissism we hold as “proud Americans," but it is profoundly more truthful than our shared myth of being welcomed by the encountered inhabitants.
I grant that I am not personally responsible for this morbid colonization of what evolved to become the United States, but that evil stain of inhumanity shades my soul.
When I consider what we—as Americans—have done with this collective strength since our coalescence as a republic, I posit that we’ve continued warring wherever we can around the world. Again, I grant that I have not advocated for any of this mass murder committed in so many places, but it was my country that used atomic weapons, agent orange, carpet-bombs and “shock and awe” to eliminate millions of souls. Again, the resultant stains shade my soul.
I encourage all Americans to consider our collective inhumanity and become more involved in embracing a peaceful presence in the world.
(published also on Richard's Substack)