Thanksgiving: The American Dream

Julia Gomez/Staff Writer

For my grandparents, specifically my grandpa, Thanksgiving represented the American Dream. To him, it was the holiday that represented how far he came. Every year, he gave thanks for his wife, his kids, and his grandchildren. He also gave thanks for being an American. After he died, Thanksgiving became a little somber and a bit harder, but we still celebrated. We give thanks for everything my grandfather gave us and continue to be proud of where we came from and where we are. 

This holiday means so many different things to so many people, but for my family, we celebrate who we are as Cuban-Americans. We eat turkey with a side of yuca, white rice and frijoles negros. Then dance all night to Celia Cruz’s music.

This year, our president and government have ostracized and demonized immigrants that are trying to find a better life. They’ve villainized the press and questioned democracy itself while COVID-19 ravages the country and kills countless people. It can be hard to be thankful for anything and canceling thanksgiving seems appropriate for 2020.

But what do we have to be thankful for? At a time where it’s embarrassing to be American, should we be thankful for it and does it still represent the American Dream? 

Our country has committed atrocities many would rather forget. The holiday itself is based on a party the pilgrims threw after they’d just massacred an indigenous village. We need to change the story we tell kids. It isn’t a holiday that started with brotherly love and comradery, but one of blood, pain and loss. It’s wonderful to have a day to spend with family, but saying we celebrate it because we celebrate the bond colonizers had with Native Americans is just false and hurtful. It ignores the trauma Indigenous peoples have gone through because of colonization.

It’s hard to be thankful to live in a country that’s policies and laws stem from racism. This Thanksgiving, while we’re socially distancing, people should analyze all the awful things that have happened this year and ask themselves what they can do to change just a tiny part of it.

Black Lives Matter is one of the biggest movements in American history and has sparked debate all throughout the states. It brought up questions of modern-day and systemic racism, segregation and oppression. 

How can you be a better ally to minorities? What can you do to protect women’s rights? How can you defend the LGBTQ+ community? We need to ask ourselves this and understand that if we want to live in a country we can be proud of, we need to acknowledge our own privilege. We have to hold corrupt leaders accountable and demand justice for this country’s past.

Truth is, I don’t think Thanksgiving represents the American Dream. In 2017, 41.2 million people didn’t have access to enough food in order to live a healthy life. Now, in 2020, 8 million people are living below the poverty line because of the pandemic and over 50 million Americans face food insecurity.

Right now, the American Dream is dying. We can save it, though. As Americans, we need to own up to our mistakes and make sure the American Dream is attainable by everyone. This year, consider all that you’re thankful for. Be thankful for being an American, but remember we still have a lot of work left. We aren’t perfect. So this year, think about what you can do to get us there.

DISCLAIMER:

The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of PantherNOW Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.

Photo by Adam Nieścioruk on Unsplash