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« Thanksgiving Fun | Main | Thankful in Small Ways » November 23, 2006In Defense of Traditional Thanksgiving HistoryLast Thanksgiving the New York Times ran an op-ed by Professor James E. McWilliams on the first Thanksgiving. According to McWilliams, the Pilgrims found the Native American food "exceedingly filthy and most execrable" and the holiday's strong association with food was an invention arising out of the mid-19th century. McWilliams' attack on our traditional view of history is a fashionable sport in academia. When such historical revisions are accurate, it's important for us to amend our understanding of certain events. On the other hand, undermining long-held beliefs of history is such a guaranteed attention-grabber that some will stretch the truth in order to make waves. Or, worse, they'll do it to conform with a differing worldview. But Jim Lindgren of the Volokh Conpiracy fisks the piece and McWilliams' evidence to argue that the Pilgrims actually liked the food they shared with the Native Americans and that from the beginning the holiday has been associated with food and thanksgiving. Indeed, Lindgren implies that nearly all of the stereotypical views we have of that first thanksgiving holiday are well founded. Happy Thanksgiving! Posted by Joshua Claybourn at November 23, 2006 12:54 PM CommentsI think that since Daylight Savings Time has ended, you guys are back in the central time zone. So this is only two days late (unless like I am right now, you're currently on the east). But whereever you guys are, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your readers!! Posted by: Aakash at November 26, 2006 12:38 AM | permalink American history is being rewritten. It has fallen victim to political correctness and the desire to wipe away the knowledge of the influence that Christianity had in the founding of our country. Posted by: Samuel at November 26, 2006 07:51 PM | permalink What does the thesis, "the pilgrims thought the indians' food tasted bad" have to do with political correctness (not to mention worthwhile investment of academic attention?) Posted by: Chuck at November 27, 2006 10:07 AM | permalink Post a comment |
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