November 26, 2008 12:38 PM
Thanksgiving is a holiday that honors American history dating back to 1621, reportedly the first Thanksgiving celebration. It is a holiday grounded in the history of people coming to a new land in hope of a new and better life unlike, perhaps ,the life they left behind.
As the Thanksgiving story goes, romanticized as it may be, it tells us how the Pilgrims came to these shores facing new and unknown challenges in a very unfamiliar land. When they arrived they were met by native-born people who were native to the American shores for centuries.
The Pilgrims suffered a deadly winter their first year not knowing the ways of the new world. It was the custom of the Indians to help visitors, and they treated the newcomers with courtesy. It was mainly because of their kindness that the Pilgrims survived at all. The Indians helped the Pilgrims by teaching them ways to exist in this new land like how to get sap out of the maple trees, how to avoid plants that were poisonous, and how to plant corn and other crops, not only to survive, but to become productive members of the community at large. By the next fall things were going much better for the Pilgrims thanks to the help they received from the Indians.
This story can be viewed as an example of the possibility for great respect and cooperation between diverse cultures living in a productive community. Our country was founded on integrity and cooperation as idealized in the Thanksgiving story.
Reflecting on the shocking tragedy of the murder of Marcelo Lucero, as Long Islanders let us take this Thanksgiving Day as an opportunity for constructive dialogue, to celebrate our shared values, and to express our gratitude that we live in a nation where the American dream is attainable for all.
The Long Island Wins team wishes you a warm and happy Thanksgiving.
Below are links to two sites that may help make your Thanksgiving Day celebration a little more thankful:
America's Table: A Thanksgiving Reader that celebrates our diverse roots and shared values
NPR ran a three-part series this week with three noted authors who have written about newcomers to the United States and are themselves immigrants:
Junot Diaz On 'Becoming American'
“American Dream” had led me on a goose chase, only to find that I desperately needed a credit repair. America and people from all around the world have become familiar with this so-called American Dream and struggle to live up to what it means. We work our hardest to obtain the things that portray what we believe will fulfill this lifestyle – fancy cars, big houses, stunning jewels, and expensive things. However, even with all of these great things at hand, all the luxuries and material goods aren’t making Americans happy. Personally, I am guilty for doing the same. Although I had the nice car, designer clothes and fancy things, what struck me was the hollowness of my life. I felt guilty every time I made a purchase. Instead of getting the peace of mind I thought I’d be getting, I was weighed down emotionally and financially. Of course I enjoyed the fact that I was admired by many for the material things I had, but I’m sure they’d raise an eyebrow if they took one glance at my credit card debt. I’ve allowed myself to forget that the simplest things in life are the key ingredients to happiness – like spending quality time with my kids, getting outdoors, and having long heartfelt conversations with my wife. I am tired of keeping up with the Joneses and I am ready to man up to my mistakes. I am going to start living my own dream – the real American Dream. Along with the credit repair help I’m getting, I am also practicing smart budgeting skills, better managing my finances in general, and spending more quality time and saving more money.
By Credit Repair December 3, 2008 05:43 AM