As I reflect on the many versions of history told about the alleged first Thanksgiving, I feel conflicted. My heart goes out to the Native Americans who had the grace to rescue the few survivors of the Mayflower journey. I am one of millions of living descendants from these survivors. I would not be here today had it not been for the Native Americans who taught my ancestors how to survive in what, to them, was a new world.
My ancestors most likely did express gratitude to the Native Americans who saved their lives, but after that brief moment, American history become truly horrific for the Native Americans who must have regretted their initial mercy for the white people. It is only through hindsight that we can see the truth that the arrival of the first white people marked the beginning of another British Empire conquest of innocent people. Empire building was the way of the European old world, but even the Mayflower survivors did not understand they and their future offspring would become the conquerors. They were not a trained military. They were a small group of ordinary people in search of a new home. Some were religious fanatics, some were merchants, and some were orphans, and they were clueless. However, their lack of understanding is not an excuse for their later cruel and murderous behaviors, which they knew at the time was wrong. There are no words to express how wrong it was, even the word “heinous” is insufficient.
Genocide can never be forgiven or forgotten, and even if it could be forgiven, our souls still carry the shame of our ancestors.
I don’t know if redemption is possible, but I do know we have a lot to redeem. I strive to live in the light of understanding and love, but not for the redemption of my ancestors or even myself, but for the purpose of creating a better and truly new world in which we can all survive and thrive without fear. I pray for peace, and with gratitude for my life to all who made it possible, beginning with the Native Americans who rescued my ancestors, and with gratitude to the Native Americans today who are still trying to rescue not only their own people but all of us in their endeavors to save our earth.
I am not a wealthy person, by any means, but I can give something, and I encourage all who are reading this to give something as well if they can. May we give thanks for our blessings every day, not only to the ones we know and love but also to the ones we don’t know who strive to make life better for us all. If you feel so inclined, join me in donating to the Native American Rights Fund, available on this link: https://www.narf.org/about-us/
To all who gave my ancestors and myself life and to all who are still working to make a better and kinder world for everyone, thank you, with all my heart.
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