Hi ya’ll it's Angelica, today feels the same as umm every thanksgiving, its a sad day. Hey I am just going to reiterate what I said last year, but add on this year's school experience. So like this is like the first year of high school right? And surprisingly they didn't talk about thanksgiving in any of my classes, but then again I don't have any history classes this semester. I mean tbh I'm not really surprised at the same time eh with it, like I mean I guess it's like a little bothersome because they won't acknowledge my people. I mean tbh I have extremely low standards and expectations for the “American School System” and I didn't expect them to talk about today. At the same time I wanted them to talk about it but they didnt. I don't expect and I am not surprised because the thing is that like it didn't happen last year and middle school wouldn't really mention it, and I had a feeling that in high school they just wouldn't talk about it. It makes me feel disappointed. I want to talk to my teachers about it and let them know that my culture and my people matter more than preparing for finals and saying happy thanksgiving to everyone. Do like grownups ever think that maybe some of us don’t celebrate thanksgiving? Or like that maybe some students refuse to assimilate to whiteness, and may honor their ancestors on this day instead? Maybe next year I will take a course of action with activism for my people. Here is a photo of me, and enjoy the next part of my article.
Reiteration from last year, but modified.
Last year in the 8th grade I figured my teacher didn't know that I'm Native American hence they didn't acknowledge Native Americans -- As most teachers are performative now. This year European culture AKA "US History" is being taught as usual.. My history teacher last year didn't even mention anything about the Native Americans for Thanksgiving. He basically just brushed it off like it was nothing. He did acknowledge Native American month but he was very vague with his words. None of my teachers showed any videos of what Thanksgiving was, and when they spoke about it they made everything sound like it was such a nice holiday and that nothing happened. I guess I would say I'm okay with the fact that they didn't teach us lies again , but I am lowkey disappointed of the fact that they didn't even MENTION it at all! It's kind of upsetting, I've lost a lot of respect for my teachers because I expect more from them. I think the school system thinks they have assimilated us by grade 7 into their European culture and I think that they think that just cause we are kids we don't have a voice in what this "holiday" is about. I would think that they would at least say something but no they just decided today were gonna ignore all The Native Americans feelings and not acknowledge them whatsoever. For my last few words I am going to say this... Please take the rest of this day learning about the true meaning of Thanksgiving. BTW ya'll tomorrow is "black friday" but did you also know it is Native American Heritage day? Also all of November is Native American Heritage month. One more thing, do you find it odd how Americans celebrate 'Thanksgiving" and then spend the next day fighting each other shopping? I think possibly many Americans are not thankful for what they have -- we live in a fast fashion, and consumer driven world. Many people use "Thanksgiving" as an excuse for spending time with our loved ones? What about the rest of the year? Does it only count for man made holidays to appreciate your loved ones, and spend time with them? Some delicious imaginary food for thought… I get it people use today to be with family and eat, but why does it always have to be a holiday to do this? To be grateful? Should we not be thankful everyday for who is in our life, for what we have? Everyone including Native American and indigenous peoples might do thanksgiving, and I have nothing against that, I just wish that people would acknowledge and be willing to learn what this day is about.
Also happy Transgender Awareness month.
We matter.