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Thursday, November 27, 2014
Rewriting the history of Thanksgiving
Note: Over the next few days, I hope that you will indulge me in considering your heritage. I want to share with you some of my heritage which has become part of the heritage of America. My grandfather 14 generations back was William Bradford, co-writer of the Mayflower Compact, inventor of the free market system, and governor of the Plymouth colony for over 30 years. This week, I would like to share some insights of and from his writings in “Of Plymouth Plantation.”
Across the United States, many do not know exactly why we celebrate the wonderful day of Thanksgiving, and many others believe it is a day of sorrow. Anything in American culture that would portray people in a reverent and humble position toward God Almighty is subject to criticism and Thanksgiving is not exempt. Every year, the godless seek to chip away at the history of this blessed holiday that reminds us as a nation of our roots in thanking God for His many benefits. For example, in 2007 the Seattle Public School system attacked Thanksgiving by instructing its staff to deconstruct Thanksgiving by using a bitter account by a native American advocacy group.
In a letter to Seattle Public School staff, Caprice D. Hollins, the Director of Equity, Race and Learning Support, along with two representatives of Native American Education, directed the staff to the Oyate Web page entitled “Deconstructing the Myths of the First Thanksgiving.” The letter says the website “offers suggestions on ways to be sensitive of diverse experiences and perspectives and still make the holiday meaningful for all students. Here you will discover ways to help you and your students think critically, and find resources where you can learn about Thanksgiving from a Native American perspective. Eleven myths are identified about Thanksgiving, take a look at #11 and begin your own deconstruction.”
This 2007 website and it’s 11 so-called “myths” hardly documented anything from the true historic account of the Plymouth Plantation, written by Mayflower passenger William Bradford, who is considered the nation’s first historian. The myths were a collection of bitter politically correct drivel. Myth number 11 recounted as fact: “For many Indian people, “Thanksgiving” is a time of mourning, of remembering how a gift of generosity was rewarded by theft of land and seed corn, extermination of many from disease and gun, and near total destruction of many more from forced assimilation. As currently celebrated in this country, “Thanksgiving” is a bitter reminder of 500 years of betrayal returned for friendship.”
In “Of Plymouth Plantation,” Bradford writes of how the Indians stole tools from the settlers and after an English speaking Indian named Samoset came to their camp, they became friends, the tools were returned and “With him, after friendly entertainment and some gifts, they made a peace which has now continued for twenty-four years.” The peace agreement set forth how the Pilgrims and the Indians would help and protect each other by living in peace. The bitter politically correct crowd has it wrong. The first Thanksgiving, as it was then and is today, is a 1 Chronicles 16:34 day, “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endures for ever.” And don’t let the lies of deceivers spoil it.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
For God’s Glory Alone Ministries thanks Bill Wilson and www.dailyjot.com
