As the holiday season approaches, my kids return from school with papers adorned with Thanksgiving-themed illustrations. Turkeys, pumpkins, and autumn leaves fill their portfolios, often accompanied by cheerful cartoon pilgrims and stereotypical Native Americans. These images depict a scene of mutual respect and sharing—a platter brimming with vegetables and corn—symbolizing the supposed harmony of the first Thanksgiving. Yet, this portrayal of history is far from adorable; it’s a sanitized version that overlooks the harsh realities of our past.
I can already hear the familiar retorts: “Can’t we just enjoy the holiday and not overthink everything?” or “What’s wrong with a child dressing as Pocahontas for Halloween?” Sure, we can let kids be kids, but what does that really teach them about our history? If we continue to ignore the deeply troubling roots of racism embedded in our past, we risk indoctrinating our children into a narrative where a white man discovered America and our founding fathers are depicted as heroes, ignoring the fact that many were slave owners.
When we discuss removing statues of historical figures who exploited people of color, the defense often is, “We can’t change history.” True, we can’t alter the past, but we can influence the future. One effective step is to stop honoring racists by leaving their statues in public spaces.
Distorted Celebrations
Thanksgiving isn’t the only occasion when we glorify a distorted version of history. Take the Fourth of July, for example. While it’s celebrated as a day of freedom, we often forget that for many—namely women and people of color—freedom was still a distant dream. Even today, the Pledge of Allegiance’s promise of “liberty and justice for all” is glaringly untrue for many communities.
What about Juneteenth? Do you know its significance? Probably not, since it’s often overlooked in history classes. Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, marks the day slaves were finally informed that slavery had ended—two and a half years after the fact. And let’s not forget that the first Decoration Day, which we now call Memorial Day, was organized by freed Black people.
Superficial Recognition
Some may argue that we have designated months for specific histories, such as Black History Month in February. While that’s a start, the lessons often presented are superficial, focusing on a sanitized narrative that makes white audiences comfortable. After February, discussions on Black history tend to vanish. The truth is, Black history is integral to American history, and it deserves to be woven into the curriculum all year long.
Similarly, Women’s History Month in March is often met with the same fate, leaving us with a curriculum dominated by white male perspectives. And though November is Native American Heritage Month, there’s no reason to stop educating our children about Indigenous peoples after December 1st.
Taking Action as Parents
To be clear, I cherish gathering with family over Thanksgiving, sharing slices of pie and laughter. However, the real issue is that many of us at the table are unaware of the true history that has shaped our country—one that has often been narrated by white voices for white audiences.
So, what can we do as parents? First, we need to educate ourselves. It’s difficult to guide our children through what we don’t understand. We should seek out books—especially those authored by people of color and women—watch documentaries, read insightful articles, like those from the 1619 Project, and listen to informative podcasts. Once we’re informed, we can pass that knowledge on to our kids and advocate for a more accurate representation of history in schools.
Let’s provide resources, donate diverse books to classrooms, and push for comprehensive history education rather than relegating it to specific months. We can advocate to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Our children should not be crafting feathered headbands or reenacting Pilgrim and Native American Thanksgivings; they deserve to learn an accurate, unfiltered version of history.
Discussing the violent and unethical actions that have shaped our nation is uncomfortable, but avoiding these conversations only perpetuates ignorance. So, as you enjoy your holiday feast, remember the importance of teaching your children the unvarnished truth.
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Conclusion
In summary, we must strive to educate our children about the authentic, complex history that shapes our nation. By doing so, we empower them to understand the past and advocate for a more just future.