As the holiday season rolls around, my children return from school clutching papers adorned with Thanksgiving-themed clip art. I’ve seen my fair share of turkeys, pumpkins, and cartoonish depictions of pilgrims and stereotyped Native Americans. These images often depict the two groups cheerfully sharing a feast, portraying an idealized version of the first Thanksgiving where everyone got along splendidly.
However, this portrayal misses the mark. I understand the desire for harmony and the inclination to overlook uncomfortable truths, but we need to ask ourselves: is this approach beneficial for our children?
If we ignore the dark and troubling aspects of history, we risk indoctrinating our children with a simplistic narrative that glorifies white explorers while glossing over the reality that many of these so-called heroes were slave owners. When conversations arise about removing statues of historical figures who exploited people of color, the common refrain is, “We can’t change history.” While that’s true, we can reshape the future by taking action now—like not venerating racists with monuments in public spaces.
Thanksgiving isn’t the only occasion we celebrate a sanitized version of American history. Consider the Fourth of July, often hailed as the ultimate celebration of freedom. We deck our homes in red, white, and blue, fire up the grill, and enjoy festivities. Yet the reality is that for many, including women and people of color, freedom was a distant dream on that day. The Pledge of Allegiance may proclaim “liberty and justice for all,” but the news today shows us that this statement is far from true.
And what about Juneteenth? This significant day, which falls on June 19th, marks when enslaved individuals were finally informed that slavery had ended—over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Sadly, this essential part of our history is often overlooked in textbooks and classrooms. The first Memorial Day was organized by freed Black people, yet this vital history remains largely unrecognized.
Some might argue that we have designated months, like February for Black History Month, to celebrate these stories. While that’s a start, the lessons offered often present a diluted view that prioritizes comfort over truth—focusing on figures like Dr. King while avoiding the radical realities of his activism. Once March arrives, the discussions on Black history vanish, as if they were never part of the narrative.
This pattern continues with women’s history, which receives its own month in March, but again, the remaining months often highlight white male history. November is Native American Heritage Month, but that shouldn’t be the only time we educate our children about the land’s original inhabitants and the injustices they face.
I cherish the time spent with family during Thanksgiving, sharing pie and stories. However, it’s vital that we acknowledge a significant gap in our understanding of history, largely influenced by narratives crafted by white men.
So, what can we do as parents? First, we must educate ourselves. It’s challenging to impart knowledge we don’t possess. We need to read broadly—especially works by authors of color and women—watch documentaries, and explore articles like those found in the 1619 Project. By equipping ourselves with knowledge, we can engage our children in meaningful conversations about history.
We should advocate for a more comprehensive curriculum in schools that encompasses the full spectrum of American history year-round, rather than relegating important topics to specific months. Let’s push for the recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day in place of Columbus Day.
Our children should not be crafting feathered headbands or reenacting sanitized versions of Thanksgiving. I aspire to raise children who are aware and unafraid to challenge historical inaccuracies.
Discussing the uncomfortable truths of America’s past is not easy. It may evoke guilt and discomfort, but those feelings should not deter us from confronting the past.
As we enjoy our feasts, let’s commit to educating our kids about the complexities of history.
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In summary, we must take the initiative to teach our children the authentic, nuanced history that shapes our society today.
Keyphrase: Teaching Authentic History
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