Thanksgiving has just passed. A joyful holiday, food on the table, family, laughing, jokes, stories, America, still having problems, tis' the season to be jolly?
In 'Thanksgiving Day Proclamation' by our President Obama he talks of how "Thanksgiving Day offers us the opportunity to focus our thoughts on the grace that has been extended to our people and our country. This spirit brought together the newly arrived Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe – who had been living and thriving around Plymouth, Massachusetts for thousands of years – in an autumn harvest feast centuries ago." It appears to me that yes those oh so many years ago the Pilgrims and Native Americans alike came together and 'kumayahed' and were thankful for all that they were given. BUT in those times, there we disease outbreaks, massacres, massive amounts of poverty, murder, and chaos. President Obama epmphasizes on the positives- what we have to be thankful by beautifully wording this proclamation. We as Americans are being buttered up with such connotations to make us feel like the word around us isn't in chaos much like the Pilgrims and Native Americans. Thanksgiving day I sat down with my family and my mother read a passage the "Dear Abby" Psychologist wrote. She talked of us being grateful, but realizing that 1/3 of Americans would go hungry this thanksgiving, we may have thin wallets, other people have nothing, we are able to hear the birds sing, or walk to the table, or have someone to sit next to while a great percentage of America cannot. I appreciate this proclamation and its kinds words, BUT I find that he is only talking to those of us who are lucky enough to have a family to sit, and be with on this day of thanks. He does mention the poor saying this, ''This harvest season, we are also reminded of those experiencing the pangs of hunger or the hardship of economic insecurity. Let us return the kindness and generosity we have seen throughout the year by helping our fellow citizens weather the storms of our day." He talks about them, but not to those people. He continues by saying, "let us rejoice in the abundance that graces our tables, in the simple gifts that mark our days, in the loved ones who enrich our lives, and in the gifts of a gracious God. Let us recall that our forebears met their challenges with hope and an unfailing spirit, and let us resolve to do the same.'' He says "us" who is us? Is it I who is lucky enough to be surrounded by familiar faces, or Joe under the bridge not a dime to his name and no one? This piece for seem reason striked me, it bothered me. Its intentions although meant to be positive, I found a lack of caring. I am thankful, but I can be thankful all I want and won't help Joe under the bridge, of Sally who can't feed her children this merry season. His wording made me feel like "those experiencing pangs of hunger'' were just characters. It seems to me he is a lot of words, but not a lot of action lately. Maybe that's just me, maybe that's just through my eyes, but I know if I were to write a proclamation it would have a more heartfelt message, because I know I was lucky enough to have my family this year, but what about those who weren't? They count for something.
