Thanksgiving: Should we abolish or celebrate it?

Counterpoint: Tradition celebrates family

Illustration+by+Aydann+Long+and+Danica+Keane

Illustration by Aydann Long and Danica Keane

Thanksgiving can be seen as imperialist or too commercialized. But people can still enjoy the holiday with their families, and this is why Thanksgiving should be celebrated.
November 1621 was the pilgrims’ first corn harvest. The pilgrims’ invited their native American allies to celebrate with them. This is remembered as America’s first Thanksgiving. Although the history behind this holiday includes friction between the native Americans and pilgrims, times have changed, and Thanksgiving is now a beautiful holiday.
Thanksgiving is even celebrated in other countries, not just in the United States. Thanksgiving is celebrated in Canada, Grenada, St. Lucia, Liberia, and many more on different dates. For example, according to All That’s Interesting, China has a Chung Chiu Moon Festival on the 15th day of the lunar cycle each year. Chinese families come together and have a three-day feast. Families watch the moon while singing or reciting poetry about it. Sometimes long-distance couples watch the moon at the same time.
Germany celebrates Erntedankfest, which translates to “harvest thanksgiving festival.” Erntedankfest is an opportunity for farmland cultures to give thanks and honor their harvest. There isn’t a specific date that they celebrate, but it’s usually celebrated in mid-September or mid-October. Both Germany and China have a beautiful way of celebrating.
Although Thanksgiving has been commercialized from The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Black Friday, this is not the only commercialized holiday. The commercialization of Christmas started with the Coca-Cola Santa Claus marketing campaign in 1931. Holidays are going to be commercialized, especially in this day in age. This isn’t a valid reason to abolish Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is a day to come together. Many organizations give back to the homeless by providing free food for them during the holiday, which gives another reason that to be thankful and celebrate Thanksgiving. The holiday should be celebrated and not abolished.

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