The following points have influenced my thinking on the Thanksgiving boycott but should by no means be taken by readers as anything other than a new perspective to consider when deciding whether or not to observe the day.
Appreciating the allure of turkey, pumpkin pie and family coming together for a festive meal around the theme of gratitude (especially for those who aren’t in the habit of celebrating Shabbat each week), this piece is not an attempt to tell anyone what they should or shouldn’t do, but rather to draw attention to some important considerations Jews should take into account when making an informed decision about boycotting Thanksgiving.
Reasons I Boycott Thanksgiving
1. Thanksgiving to a certain extent commemorates the ongoing genocide of an indigenous population by European invaders and the settler colonial society they established on stolen land. As Jews who’ve been victimized countless times throughout history, we (especially those of us who often speak about Jewish indigeneity) should naturally stand in solidarity with indigenous peoples across the world.
Video: “Thanksgiving or Native American Genocide?”
2. Thanksgiving is part of a larger effort to promote a one-size-fits-all consumerist American identity that attempts to make us all (not just Jews) forget about our peoples, values, cultures and homelands in favor of instead focusing on material success.
Video: “Everything You Know about Thanksgiving is WRONG”
3. Thanksgiving contributes to the further colonization of Jewish identity in the United States. Our ancient sages teach that Aḥashverosh’s banquet at the start of the Scroll of Esther was intended to celebrate that the Jews would remain and absorb into Persian society (with kosher food and Synagogues) rather than return to our native land. We further learn that Haman’s genocidal decree against the Jews was a Divine consequence of Jews participating in that banquet. Thanksgiving – the modern incarnation of Aḥashverosh’s party – promotes within the Jewish community a normalization of Diaspora existence, subtly encouraging our people to become “Jew-ish” Americans and forget about their homeland and historic aspirations.
While it’s always great to be thankful, let’s make sure we’re being thankful for the proper things. Take all this into consideration when deciding to observe or boycott Thanksgiving this year.
How about Thanksgiving is a goyishe construct establish to delegitimization any and all who don’t conform to christian norms.
I agree that the treatment of Native Americans and the question of consumerism are both important issues. Neither are uniquely Jewish, though. With the last reason, I cannot concur. American Jews are American, many of whom have no plans of immigrating anywhere any time soon, nor need they.