Before I share the truth, I want to acknowledge during this blessed season of gratitude, Roc-A-Natural have so much to be thankful for, beginning with having the incredible support of our supporters, followers and patrons. You have been an engaging, thoughtful and selfless community inspired by the Roc-A-Natural movement and I personally am humbly grateful.
While for most Americans, Thanksgiving Day is for feasting, football and giving thanks, but for Native Americans, it is a reminder of dead ancestors, racial slurs still being worn on football jerseys and families around the nation feasting on food from colonized agricultural land.
Native Americans say the day is not a holiday but rather a celebration built on a lie, one they would rather spend indulging in some self-care instead of turkey and yams. Some even refer to the day as 'Day of Mourning' or 'Unthanksgiving Day'.
Educate your family about the true meaning of Thanksgiving by clicking here:
While families across the country indulge on their Thanskgiving Day feasts, hundreds will gather at Cole’s Hill in Plymouth today to commemorate a different tradition: the National Day of Mourning. This event, held annually on Thanksgiving, is meant to honor Native American ancestors who died due to the European invasion, and to expose the bloody history behind the November holiday.
As a Black Woman whose ancestors were enslaved and oppressed by colonizers, I could relate to the Indigenous people on this National Day of Mourning and for the past 6 years, I continue to join many who have broken tradition and spend this day bringing more awareness to the real, horrific story behind "Thanksgiving" and shine a light on modern issues and inequality facing people of color today.
I also began my own tradition of celebrating with family and friends on 'Our Day of Thanksgiving' on Friday or Saturday(anyday, but Thursday) to share in this season of gratitude. I believe Thanksgiving is 365 days of the year and should be celebrated everyday if you so choose; however, if you should choose to continue to celebrate on the National Day of Mourning, please tell the truth.
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