THE AFTERMATH OF THE FIRST THANKSGIVING

By Malcom Lagauche

Contributed by Steven Rix

".....There is some enlightenment, but still not enough. On October 12 each year, dozens of anti-Columbus Day protests are now being held in U.S. cities. Ironically, in conservative San Diego, the anti-Columbus Day protest draws more people than the official Columbus Day parade in the downtown area. I attribute this to the numbers of Kumeyaay Indians living in San Diego County.

I think the U.S. should follow the lead of President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. A few years ago, he decommissioned Columbus Day in his country and today, on the same date, the official holiday of Indian Liberation Day is celebrated.

Here is another note of irony. Each year, at Plymouth, a mock Thanksgiving feast is held for the public to view. The clothing and the food are meant to be identical to those of the original Thanksgiving. The script for this year’s event had to be re-written. Members of the Wampanoag tribe, who normally participate, decided to boycott this year’s show. They have had enough."