Togetherness Awareness

Picture:  “Sun Return Woman,”   Painting By Lanechka Fevola

On a site of a forum  dedicated to prejudice awareness, it is important we see that there are moments in history and developments in the journey, of the human race, when prejudice, and indeed race, were not the dominant traits or characteristics. One such example, is, or was, Thanksgiving.

https://wampanoagtribe-nsn.gov/wampanoag-history

https://www.history.co.uk/articles/when-is-thanksgiving

Many countries have such a day or celebration, notably Canada, but it is the North American neighbour to its south, The United States Of America, where this is best known, and in fact, most notable for its origins.

The original gathering of Thanksgiving, In America, which had its origins in English religious and harvest festivals, was a coming together of Mayflower settlers from Britain and Holland, and the Indiginous people,  who did not attack them, but helped them, and nor were they attacked, by these pacifist devout radical Christians. These first settlers were helped by some of the native people of America, to understand the terrain, the natural fruits and plants and crops, the necessary understanding of surrounding nature. And the two sides of so much later confict and warfare, here and then, were not in conflict or at war, were not taking “sides,” in practice at all, but were taking part in the  practice of gathering together, and sharing.

It was as much the welcome by the women, with knowledge, ancient and wise, as of the Chiefs and leaders, that would have surely been at the fore of these first gatherings of friends and strangers, becoming friends all, or neighbours at least and best.

In times of tension and division, such things are worth us thinking about and being aware of.