When people think of Thanksgiving they think of football, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and quality time with their families — all things American and good. When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of dry meat and my deep-seated fear of the turkeys that plague the University of Minnesota campus. 

This national holiday, however, is more than just pumpkin pie and family squabbles. Thanksgiving represents the colonial history of America and the commercialization of the most tragic beginnings this country bears. 

Thanksgiving was officially established in 1863 during the Civil War. A woman named Sarah Josepha Hale was campaigning to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday for 36 years until Abraham Lincoln heeded her requests to help bring the nation together. 

The positioning of Thanksgiving makes it seem like the holiday has existed since the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. This is not the case, and the real origins make it clear the holiday was a political move and did not value the concept as a real part of our history. 

“Growing up, I was taught that Thanksgiving should be celebrated and is a very positive holiday since it brought peace and ended fighting,” said Izzy Minustin, a fourth-year student at the University. “I think the history that has been told is skewed, however, and is not something that everyone is taught properly.”

When I was in elementary school, we cosplayed as pilgrims and Indigenous people and shared a meal while learning about the peaceful relations between the two groups. As I got older and moved school districts, I soon found out how wrong that portrayal was. 

It is imperative to remember the land stolen and the lives taken. We cannot forget about the Trail of Tears, the Mankato Executions or the Sand Creek Massacre. Schools should inform their students from early on about these harsh truths. If you can teach kids about how great Thanksgiving is, you can tell them the opposite as well. 

It’s difficult to deconstruct a holiday so enmeshed in our country’s culture. Telling people you are going to take something away always elicits a negative and visceral reaction. However, Hale’s actions advocating for Thanksgiving prove the opposite can be accomplished as well.

The second Monday of October is noticed as Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a replacement for Columbus Day. Addressing the truth behind a beloved concept does not have to be a difficult task, we just need to make it a priority. 

People are only attached to Thanksgiving as a holiday because of the perks that are given to the celebration. A long weekend followed by discounted shopping has a level of allure that seems difficult to pass on. It would not be difficult to shift these advantages to another time of the month. 

November is recognized as National Native American Heritage Month. Having Thanksgiving during a month dedicated to the Indigenous people is an insult to the cruelties that have been committed against them. 

On the fourth Thursday of November, many Indigenous communities participate in a National Day of Mourning. This tradition began in 1970 and highlights the current struggles of Indigenous people today while reflecting on the atrocities of the past. 

Recognizing injustices, such as land theft and murder, demands a reconsideration of the holiday’s placement. Shifting the focus to acknowledge Native American Heritage Month or contemplating an alternative time for Thanksgiving could be a step towards acknowledging the painful past and current struggles of Indigenous communities. 

Ultimately, it’s about embracing a more truthful and respectful perspective of history and culture, even if it means reevaluating a beloved holiday deeply ingrained in American tradition.