THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving is an American holiday springing from the initial meeting of immigrants and Native Americans. The Native Americans welcomed the immigrants and shared food with them. Later, the immigrants invited the Native Americans to join in a festival of thanks for a bountiful harvest. At this time of year, at least on Thanksgiving Day, we should be thankful for what we have, avoid envy and discontent. For many of us, it's a day to eat too much, break away from our normal constraints, enjoy the company of friends and family, be satisfied with our lives. Yet we should also give at least some thought to those who are less fortunate and this year I've been giving a lot of thought to immigrants.
America is a nation of immigrants. We've heard this so often that it seems boring to repeat but it's true. Various ethnic and religious groups, now occupying positions of wealth and power, immigrated to this country and, after varying periods of struggle and discrimination, found a better life. From all over the world, people came to enjoy the American dream of peace and opportunity. There was always resistance to the newest immigrants but eventually there was acceptance. We're in a period of resistance again, resistance to different groups but still resistance. Why? Do we fear differences? Do we fear competition?
Differences are the strength of America. The things we learn from other people, people of different backgrounds, different cultures, are often critical to understanding ourselves. The new ways of thinking we gain from people who have experienced different lives help us lead better lives. At the end of the day, interaction with people who are like us can be less interesting than with people who are different. Differences in taste, education, religion, culture, family life are fun to experience. The American experience teaches us that reconciling these differences leads to better lives for everyone.
Competition also strengthens us. Rather than fear competition, we should welcome it. Testing our skills, trying to do our best in the face of competition brings out the best in us. Recognizing the courage of immigrants, of people who want to create better lives for themselves and their families, emboldens us, encourages us to try new things. Seeing the willingness of immigrants to work for the long term good reminds us to put aside petty setbacks, to keep going in the face of adversity.
We should remind ourselves of the Native Americans who welcomed the first immigrants and welcome the immigrants of today. We'll learn, we'll improve, we'll help, we'll feel better. That's the lesson of Thanksgiving for me. Be thankful for what we have and wish fervently that everyone else can have the same or better, especially immigrants.
11-20-00
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