TWH – Today is Thanksgiving, a holiday largely celebrated in the United States, some U.S. territories, and Brazil. There are 15 other countries that have a similar holiday celebrated at different times of the year. Canada celebrates it on the second Monday in October.
There is a painful side to Thanksgiving that just also be acknowledged: the reality of Native Americans and First Nations. Indeed, the United American Indians of New England recognize it as the National Day of Mourning and one of protest since 1970.
For Native Americans, the myth of the first Thanksgiving that is spoonfed to most Americans reflects the deep disparity between American ideology and the actual history of the treatment meted out by Europeans to Indigenous peoples. The myth is the revisionism of history that favored the colonists and, until recently, erased the lived reality of Indigenous peoples in North America.
This year many celebrations that had been muted because of the COVID-19 pandemic have started to return to normal. AAA predicts record-breaking travel with 55 million people moving this holiday weekend. Of that number of travelers, 49 million will be driving.
“Families and friends are eager to spend time together this Thanksgiving, one of the busiest for travel in the past two decades,” says Paula Twidale, AAA’s Senior Vice President of Travel. “Plan ahead and pack your patience, whether you’re driving or flying.”
Air travel is surging as well, nearly 8% over 2021, with 4.5 million Americans flying. That means 330,000 travelers more than last year. “Airport parking spaces fill up fast, so reserve a spot ahead of time and arrive early,” Twidale suggests. “Anticipate long TSA lines. If possible, avoid checking a bag to allow for more flexibility if flights are delayed or you need to reschedule.”
While many stores are closed for the national holiday, not everyone has the day off. Many restaurant and retail workers are expected to be at their jobs, as are health care workers, first responders, law enforcement, military, TSA, flight staff, and other essential workers. Let’s remember them and their work with gratitude.
Despite the “tridemic” of COVID-19, Influenza and RSV, the Russian attack on Ukraine, inflation, mass shootings, the climate crisis with hurricanes, floods, and fires, election advertising, and the uncertainty it all brings, we have witnessed the amazing spirits of our fellow humans who have helped refugees and neighbors, who have offered housing, protected others, shared the values of hospitality, duty, perseverance: healthcare workers, grocery clerks, school teachers, first responders, union workers, those in military service and the list goes on.
We add a special thank you to you, our readers, and those who support our mission of bringing news and perspectives with a Pagan lens. Thank you for reading TWH and for your generosity in keeping us here.
We wish everyone a brush with gratitude today.
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