Introduction
As families across the United States gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, it is imperative to take a moment to reflect on the true origins of this holiday—a history not of gratitude and unity, but of betrayal, violence, and hypocrisy. The traditional narrative of pilgrims and Native Americans coming together for a harmonious feast is a sanitized version of events that obscures the dark truths about how the United States was born and the legacy of its formation.
The True Origins of Thanksgiving
In 1620, the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, ill-prepared for the harsh New England winter. Starvation, disease, and exposure threatened to wipe out their settlement. Out of sheer humanity, the Wampanoag people extended a hand of friendship, teaching the settlers how to grow crops like corn and providing food to sustain them through the winter. This act of kindness should have been the foundation of mutual respect.
But by spring, the settlers betrayed their benefactors. Historical records reveal that colonists began seizing Native lands, massacring entire villages, and violating women. For example, in 1637, the Pequot Massacre marked one of the bloodiest events in early colonial history. Over 700 men, women, and children of the Pequot tribe were slaughtered during what became known as the Mystic Massacre. The governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, John Winthrop, even declared a “Day of Thanksgiving” to celebrate this victory.
This pattern of betrayal and violence became a blueprint for America’s expansion. The so-called “Manifest Destiny” justified the theft of land, genocide, and the forced displacement of Indigenous peoples through policies like the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which culminated in the Trail of Tears. These are not isolated incidents but foundational events in the story of the United States.
America’s Legacy of Crime and Hypocrisy
The hypocrisy of the United States’ founding principles—freedom, liberty, and justice for all—is glaring when examined in light of its actions. From the extermination of Native Americans to the transatlantic slave trade, the nation’s prosperity was built on the backs of oppressed peoples. The Constitution, which enshrines the ideals of equality, originally defined enslaved African Americans as three-fifths of a person.
Fast forward to today, the U.S. continues to violate human rights domestically and internationally, often under the guise of legality. Policies such as mass incarceration disproportionately target Black and Latino communities, perpetuating modern forms of slavery. The prison-industrial complex profits from this injustice, exploiting marginalized groups for economic gain.
Internationally, the United States has been implicated in numerous violations of international law. The invasion of Iraq in 2003, based on false claims of weapons of mass destruction, led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians—a clear example of crimes against humanity. The ongoing use of drone strikes in countries like Yemen and Pakistan often results in civilian casualties, raising questions about the legality and morality of such actions.
The U.S. also continues to violate the rights of asylum seekers and migrants, detaining children in cages and separating families under its immigration policies. This is especially ironic given that the nation’s founders were themselves immigrants who took what did not belong to them through force.
Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity, and Continued Violations
The treatment of Native Americans constitutes one of the most egregious cases of genocide in history. Article II of the United Nations’ Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide defines genocide as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group. By this definition, the systematic extermination of Indigenous peoples by the U.S. government fits the criteria unequivocally.
Moreover, the U.S. has repeatedly been accused of crimes against humanity, particularly in its foreign interventions. From supporting dictatorial regimes to engaging in wars that devastate civilian populations, the country has consistently acted in violation of international law.
Domestically, the legal system operates under the “color of law,” often targeting marginalized communities while shielding those in power. Policies that disproportionately incarcerate minorities, disenfranchise voters, and perpetuate economic inequality are veiled forms of systemic oppression.
Thanksgiving: A Day for Honest Reflection
Thanksgiving should not be a celebration of false narratives but an opportunity for honest reflection. As a global citizen, I find it ironic and hypocritical for U.S. leaders to speak out against “illegal immigrants” when their ancestors were the original settlers who took land illegally. The idea of borders and laws becomes hollow when examined against the history of theft, violence, and exploitation that built the United States.
It is time to reframe the Thanksgiving holiday as a day to acknowledge historical truths, honor the resilience of Indigenous peoples, and commit to dismantling the systems of oppression that continue to plague society. Only through confronting these uncomfortable truths can we hope to build a world rooted in justice and equity.
Let us not forget that the first Thanksgiving was born of Native generosity and ended in betrayal—a betrayal that echoes through the centuries and serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
This Thanksgiving, let us give thanks not by ignoring the past but by learning from it and striving for a future that upholds the dignity and humanity of all people.
Until Next Time…
I Am,
Ewing Redmond Samuels III
