The Lies History Tells Part 1: Happy Thanksgiving?
I am starting a three-week series based on the lies that I was told in grade school. It recently occurred to me that a lot of the history that I was taught was not only wrong, but the truth was skewed for very specific purposes. I can remember learning about the Black Panthers in elementary school and how I was given a negative and demonizing view of Fred Hampton, or how I was made to think the Civil War was a black and white issue about abolishing slavery. I realized that these lies changed my outlook on important figures in history and seemed to always paint America as the hero/peace maker, when many times the leaders of this country were the main perpetrators.
Since I can remember, Thanksgiving has marked the start of the holiday season for me. A time of year that was usually pretty happy in my childhood mind. The idea of being grateful for where I was in life and the things God has given me always made sense. My family never really had much, but we always knew it could have been worse.
In this age of technology, globalization, and the continuous sharing of information, how do we continue to get history wrong? Is deception more comfortable?
Thousands of years before Governor Winthrop of the Massachusetts Bay Colony proclaimed the ‘official’ Thanksgiving Day in 1637, North American Indigenous people across the continent had celebrated seasons of Thanksgiving. ‘Thanksgiving’ is a very ancient concept to American Indian nations. The big problem with the American Thanksgiving holiday is its false association with Native Americans, the infamous ‘Indians and pilgrims’ myth.
It is good to celebrate Thanksgiving and to be thankful for your blessings. It is not good to distort history, to falsely portray the origin of this holiday and lie about the truth of its actual inception.
Here are some accurate historical facts about the true origin of this American holiday that were taught to me by one of my mentors, Paul Hill.
‘Thanksgiving‘ did not begin as a great loving relationship between the pilgrims and the Wampanoag, Pequot and Narragansett people. In fact, in October of 1621 when the ‘pilgrim’ survivors of their first winter in Turtle Island sat down to share the first unofficial ‘Thanksgiving’ meal, the Indians who were there were not even invited! There was no turkey, squash, cranberry sauce or pumpkin pie. A few days before this alleged feast took place, a company of ‘pilgrims’ led by Miles Standish actively sought the head of a local Indian leader, and an 11 foot high wall was erected around the entire Plymouth settlement for the very purpose of keeping Indians out. Officially, the holiday we know as ‘Thanksgiving’ actually came into existence in the year 1637. Governor Winthrop of the Massachusetts Bay Colony proclaimed this first official day of Thanksgiving and feasting to celebrate the return of the colony’s men who had arrived safely from what is now Mystic, Connecticut. They had gone there to participate in the massacre of over 700 Pequot men, women and children, and Mr. Winthrop decided to dedicate an official day of thanksgiving complete with a feast to ‘give thanks’ for their great ‘victory’.
Why is history so imprecise? And what else should I not trust about what I learned in my grade school history classes. Why perpetuate a lie? Let us face the truths of the past, and give thanks that we are learning to love one another for the rich human diversity we share.
It’s a bit difficult to think about history being “imprecise” in the context of elementary school. Once we’re adults, of course it is best that we learn the truth so that we may better gather our own opinions about the society we live in.
But do you really want to have to be the one to tell little kids that Thanksgiving was actually a celebration that stemmed from the rejection and massacring of a people? You might as well tell them Santa Claus was an adulterer.
All jokes aside, I think society just likes to keep little kids happy. But the society has just as much of a responsbility to make sure that people learn the truth as soon as they can handle it.
It’s a bit difficult to think about history being “imprecise” in the context of elementary school. Once we’re adults, of course it is best that we learn the truth so that we may better gather our own opinions about the society we live in.
But do you really want to have to be the one to tell little kids that Thanksgiving was actually a celebration that stemmed from the rejection and massacring of a people? You might as well tell them Santa Claus was an adulterer.
All jokes aside, I think society just likes to keep little kids happy. But the society has just as much of a responsbility to make sure that people learn the truth as soon as they can handle it.
Aaron, I want to push back a little bit on your thoughts. I think we far too often try to hide the truth from kids, and this action cultivates a culture of disillusionment. I think we should be honest with young people, so they know the truth about the world, and are better prepared to deal with the realities of life, and more equipped to find remedies for the problems.
Aaron, I want to push back a little bit on your thoughts. I think we far too often try to hide the truth from kids, and this action cultivates a culture of disillusionment. I think we should be honest with young people, so they know the truth about the world, and are better prepared to deal with the realities of life, and more equipped to find remedies for the problems.
No I agree. But I was presenting a possible justification for why society chooses to hide some of these “truths” from little kids. I agree that the truth must be told, but it also must be done with a type of subtle gradualness that allows the truth to be told without creating a divisive mindset. I would suggest that middle school age is fine for these “truths” to be revealed. But as far as younger children, I think that we should still promote the idea of thankfulness. Perhaps the story itself should be disbanded, because deception by any means should not be a way of presenting information.
But that’s to be decided. But the values of thanksgiving should be instilled with children first and foremost, so that this deceptive “story” will be easily disproved and eradicated when it’s time for the “truth.”
No I agree. But I was presenting a possible justification for why society chooses to hide some of these “truths” from little kids. I agree that the truth must be told, but it also must be done with a type of subtle gradualness that allows the truth to be told without creating a divisive mindset. I would suggest that middle school age is fine for these “truths” to be revealed. But as far as younger children, I think that we should still promote the idea of thankfulness. Perhaps the story itself should be disbanded, because deception by any means should not be a way of presenting information.
But that’s to be decided. But the values of thanksgiving should be instilled with children first and foremost, so that this deceptive “story” will be easily disproved and eradicated when it’s time for the “truth.”
Thank you for your thoughts Aaron. I think if we stop lying to children in the first place, there would be no need for the truth to be revealed once they get to middle school. I also think that stories/important truths have been “disbanded” far too often, and age is not a justification to deceive.
Thank you for your thoughts Aaron. I think if we stop lying to children in the first place, there would be no need for the truth to be revealed once they get to middle school. I also think that stories/important truths have been “disbanded” far too often, and age is not a justification to deceive.
Jonathan,
Great post. It is important that we tell the truth about history. When I reflect back on my education I can recall many times where I was presented with concepts that were either half-truths or full lies. Unfortunately, most public education is presented in a Eurocentric heteronormative light. However, with posts like this you remind us all to always question your source whether it be secondary or primary.
Jonathan,
Great post. It is important that we tell the truth about history. When I reflect back on my education I can recall many times where I was presented with concepts that were either half-truths or full lies. Unfortunately, most public education is presented in a Eurocentric heteronormative light. However, with posts like this you remind us all to always question your source whether it be secondary or primary.
I believe in telling the truth in history and to children. It is heartbreaking to a child to find out the heroes in life are fairy tales. Why not tell the truth?
As a single more than often broke parent, I told my daughters Santa Clause was just the human form of the spirit of giving and not to expect people will always be able to give you something. People just believe it is easier to put a face on things.
When it comes to history, as a parent that home-schooled her daughters I have written what is now a multi-media e-book that includes all races and how they have contributed to America’s greatness. I believe it is the only book that does this. I wanted my girls to know history is not written in just Black and White. We can not change the past, but we can definitely write a new page in history.
I believe in telling the truth in history and to children. It is heartbreaking to a child to find out the heroes in life are fairy tales. Why not tell the truth?
As a single more than often broke parent, I told my daughters Santa Clause was just the human form of the spirit of giving and not to expect people will always be able to give you something. People just believe it is easier to put a face on things.
When it comes to history, as a parent that home-schooled her daughters I have written what is now a multi-media e-book that includes all races and how they have contributed to America’s greatness. I believe it is the only book that does this. I wanted my girls to know history is not written in just Black and White. We can not change the past, but we can definitely write a new page in history.
Visit my site wade-inpublishing (at) blogspot (dot) com and check out the book. A little downloading is necessary, but worth it.
Visit my site wade-inpublishing (at) blogspot (dot) com and check out the book. A little downloading is necessary, but worth it.
Thank you for your comment Nancy.
My parents were honest with me also, telling me at a young age that santa clause was not real. I appreciated the truth, once I was old enough to realize other parents lied to their children.
And I love the fact that you wrote a book with your children in mind. Your definitely correct, history is never black and white, and most of the time its a gray spot that is difficult to decipher. It is always encouraging for me to see single parents teaching their children in a honest and caring manner.
Thank you for your comment Nancy.
My parents were honest with me also, telling me at a young age that santa clause was not real. I appreciated the truth, once I was old enough to realize other parents lied to their children.
And I love the fact that you wrote a book with your children in mind. Your definitely correct, history is never black and white, and most of the time its a gray spot that is difficult to decipher. It is always encouraging for me to see single parents teaching their children in a honest and caring manner.
the mis-education of jonathan lykes! great and timely post. looking forward to more truth about the holidays from you. digging the idea of a “lies my teacher told me” series.
the mis-education of jonathan lykes! great and timely post. looking forward to more truth about the holidays from you. digging the idea of a “lies my teacher told me” series.
This is a great post! As we come to learn, at one point or another, history is written by those who “win” more specifically those wielding the greater power and influence. Thus, we have our diluted half-truths. I remember how greatly heart broken I was when I discovered the true story of Pocohontas! All I could think of was my canopy bed i used to have as a child with her face on it & my poorly but painstakingly put together native american costume with my two pigtails! With this anecdote, I mean to convey the disillusionment that you spoke of and I felt. While it is said “if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all” I think our “valiant” history writers ammended it to say “…don’t say anything at all OR even better MAKE UP SOMETHING NICE” This will not suffice; although I do not advocate introducing children to brutal details, I do believe in honesty at any age. History is comparable to sex: if you are miseducated you will make miseducated decisions (in this case statements/arguments/judgments as well). Keep shining the light Jonathan!!!
This is a great post! As we come to learn, at one point or another, history is written by those who “win” more specifically those wielding the greater power and influence. Thus, we have our diluted half-truths. I remember how greatly heart broken I was when I discovered the true story of Pocohontas! All I could think of was my canopy bed i used to have as a child with her face on it & my poorly but painstakingly put together native american costume with my two pigtails! With this anecdote, I mean to convey the disillusionment that you spoke of and I felt. While it is said “if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all” I think our “valiant” history writers ammended it to say “…don’t say anything at all OR even better MAKE UP SOMETHING NICE” This will not suffice; although I do not advocate introducing children to brutal details, I do believe in honesty at any age. History is comparable to sex: if you are miseducated you will make miseducated decisions (in this case statements/arguments/judgments as well). Keep shining the light Jonathan!!!
Summer: You had me cracking up on the Lauryn Hill allusion. Thanks I really do appreciate it.
Johnae: I love your comparison of history to sex. I know you also have a passion of fighting against these half truths that fill our world in all the wrong ways. Thank you for your thoughts.
Summer: You had me cracking up on the Lauryn Hill allusion. Thanks I really do appreciate it.
Johnae: I love your comparison of history to sex. I know you also have a passion of fighting against these half truths that fill our world in all the wrong ways. Thank you for your thoughts.
This looks like a great blog jonathan. I look forward to reading more of it.
This looks like a great blog jonathan. I look forward to reading more of it.
We all have to be diligent in learning accurate accounts of history. We must all keep in mind that history-(his)story is always shaped by the person who tells the story–and whether we hear it from the perspective of the aggressor or the just and humane is up to who we bend our ear to.
We all have to be diligent in learning accurate accounts of history. We must all keep in mind that history-(his)story is always shaped by the person who tells the story–and whether we hear it from the perspective of the aggressor or the just and humane is up to who we bend our ear to.
Thank you brandon. I believe we all do need to take a more active role in making sure the aggressor is not allowed to monopolize the history books.
Thank you brandon. I believe we all do need to take a more active role in making sure the aggressor is not allowed to monopolize the history books.
i’ve always found it funny that a country that is so entrenched in Christian ideals of gratitude and work ethic find it necessary to push this idea of thankfulness on one single day. it should be something that is as ingrained in the minds of children psyches as…the pledge. i too am excited about the series. an old saying goes: until the lion has a historian of his own, the story of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.
thank you for telling the story of the hunted. too often we take history as it is told to us. memorizing “facts” rather than analyzing and criticizing it. if any subject needs a critical eye, it is history.
i’ve always found it funny that a country that is so entrenched in Christian ideals of gratitude and work ethic find it necessary to push this idea of thankfulness on one single day. it should be something that is as ingrained in the minds of children psyches as…the pledge. i too am excited about the series. an old saying goes: until the lion has a historian of his own, the story of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.
thank you for telling the story of the hunted. too often we take history as it is told to us. memorizing “facts” rather than analyzing and criticizing it. if any subject needs a critical eye, it is history.
Hey Jonathan … thanks for your post about “Thanksgiving”.
I have only been aware of the ‘truth’ behind this fabricated festive occasion for a few short years … probably about ten.
It has taken many years for these truths to become public knowledge … even amongst indigenous peoples themselves. The barbaric reserve system, the allotment system, the indian removal act, the residential / boarding school system, etc etc, have all contributed to the hidden histories of the many nations who peopled this land before the Europeans.
Another not-so-well-known story of “Thanksgiving” has to do with good ol’ Abe Lincoln … the great emancipator! In 1863, on Dec 26, Lincoln issued the execution of 38 Santee Sioux men … who’s ‘crime’ only crime was … well, because of starvation, they were said to have raided white settler farms for food, eggs, etc, and some were even found to be killing deer … off their reservation land … without permission, which of course, was an illegal act.
Lincoln and his cronies had swindled the Sioux to sign a treaty, selling off over 1 million acres of land, for about $1.4 million, and monthly rations of food … but the money never made it to their hands … nor did the food … until it was too rotten for even the white settlers to purchase.
The original number of men to be hanged was 303, but Lincoln thought that a hanging this large would be sure to attract the unwanted attention of the Europeans, and they might then join forces against him in his war against the South.
My interest in this, besides wanting to better understand history of the Americas / world history … now that I am older / middle-aged … is that I am also trying to piece my own family history together …
I am of mixed heritage … Bearfoot Onondaga / Mohawk of the Six Nations Confederacy of the Grand River – Haudenosaunee – Onkwehonwe on my mother’s side and her mother’s side, both matrilineally and patrilineally … and British on my father’s side, and mother’s father’s side.
Hey Jonathan … thanks for your post about “Thanksgiving”.
I have only been aware of the ‘truth’ behind this fabricated festive occasion for a few short years … probably about ten.
It has taken many years for these truths to become public knowledge … even amongst indigenous peoples themselves. The barbaric reserve system, the allotment system, the indian removal act, the residential / boarding school system, etc etc, have all contributed to the hidden histories of the many nations who peopled this land before the Europeans.
Another not-so-well-known story of “Thanksgiving” has to do with good ol’ Abe Lincoln … the great emancipator! In 1863, on Dec 26, Lincoln issued the execution of 38 Santee Sioux men … who’s ‘crime’ only crime was … well, because of starvation, they were said to have raided white settler farms for food, eggs, etc, and some were even found to be killing deer … off their reservation land … without permission, which of course, was an illegal act.
Lincoln and his cronies had swindled the Sioux to sign a treaty, selling off over 1 million acres of land, for about $1.4 million, and monthly rations of food … but the money never made it to their hands … nor did the food … until it was too rotten for even the white settlers to purchase.
The original number of men to be hanged was 303, but Lincoln thought that a hanging this large would be sure to attract the unwanted attention of the Europeans, and they might then join forces against him in his war against the South.
My interest in this, besides wanting to better understand history of the Americas / world history … now that I am older / middle-aged … is that I am also trying to piece my own family history together …
I am of mixed heritage … Bearfoot Onondaga / Mohawk of the Six Nations Confederacy of the Grand River – Haudenosaunee – Onkwehonwe on my mother’s side and her mother’s side, both matrilineally and patrilineally … and British on my father’s side, and mother’s father’s side.
Carrie Thanks for your comment. History is a difficult story to tell sometimes. But the truth should always be told. I appreciate you bringing your truth to the byp website.
Carrie Thanks for your comment. History is a difficult story to tell sometimes. But the truth should always be told. I appreciate you bringing your truth to the byp website.
It’s definitely going to be a great event with the kickoff
It’s definitely going to be a great event with the kickoff
Thanks from sweden for this post
Thanks from sweden for this post