FoxTrot Classics by Bill Amend for November 26, 2010
November 25, 2010
November 27, 2010
Transcript:
Grandma: Andrea, I went through this same thing with my Mother. I always felt a needed to prove I could do things as well as she, and usually all that would happen is I would make a royal mess of it all. Something about trying too hard. Andy: How could you goof something up?? You're perfect! Grandma: But don't you see? You only think that because you're my daughter. Andy: No, I'm quoting that New York Times story about you. Grandma: Ok, but it's also a Daughter's perspective. Andy: Not any daughter I know. Paige: Way to botch dinner, Mom.
Why does the New York Times consider Andy’s mother perfect? If she were truly as “perfect” as they claim, then surely she’d inform her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren that Thanksgiving should be a time to honor the Native Americans, for whom it is a day of mourning. When the Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth, the Wampanoag tribe saved them from starvation (see http://www.britannica.com [enter “Squanto” and “history of Thanksgiving”] for further details); however, they had no defenses against the weapons, diseases, and exotic animals, such as rats, that the settlers brought with them. Squanto, of the Pawtuxet tribe, became fluent in English, and thus he served as the interpreter for the Pilgrim representative Edward Winslow during his negotiations with Chief Massasoit of the Wampanoags. As a matter of fact, more people are becoming aware of this, and would prefer to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Holidays should serve as a reminder of why science is more important than politics. There’s more to holidays than just their material aspects, e. g. the food, presents, decorations, and songs.