Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labor. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which we brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.
Edward Winslow, in Mourt's Relation
As many of you know, 26 Occupiers from Zuccotti Park have been walking from NYC to Washington, DC in protest of the Super Committee's upcoming assault on our basic safety net. A DC area interfaith group of churches, synagogues, and mosques called OccupyFaith is organizing a Thanksgiving dinner for the marchers and the DC Occupations. But time is short, and we need donations. $10 will feed one occupier. If you are in the DC area, we also need volunteers for help in the kitchen and desserts of all kinds for the 23rd. Please message me privately if you want to help onsite or contribute a pie. :-)
Donate Here to Feed an Occupier!
Follow me below the squiggle for my thoughts on Thanksgiving and Occupy Wall St.
The story of Thanksgiving represents to me a moment in our history when we could have chosen differently.
It’s a story of different peoples coming together to share a blessing: one people demonstrating the generosity required for human survival, the other responding with gratitude and friendship.
It didn’t last, and so many people view Thanksgiving solely as an occasion for cynicism. But I see it as the path not taken. I believe that history presents us again and again with the possibility of choosing the path of generosity and cooperation in our mutual need, instead of the path of conquest, exploitation, and greed. The greatest lie of the powerful is that their bad behavior is inevitable.
In this moment in history, it is Occupy Wall St that is clearing the path of generosity and mutual cooperation, the path toward survival. So it is altogether appropriate that we celebrate Thanksgiving with each other in the new communities that we have built over the last 8 weeks.
In particular, it is appropriate that we welcome the people who have been walking in all weathers for 240 miles into the warmth of community. Thanksgiving is the holiday when Americans celebrate community by sharing the fruits of the harvest together.
It’s time to celebrate our hard work, sacrifice and the communities we have built. If you have ten dollars to spare, please consider sponsoring a Thanksgiving dinner for one occupier.
Please help us give these Occupiers a Thanksgiving to remember.
Click Here to Feed an Occupier!
If you are in the DC area, we also need volunteers for help in the kitchen and desserts of all kinds for the 23rd—so if you want to help serve our brave occupiers dinner, or contribute your favorite pie, please message me privately.
Solidarity and Peace.
SouthernLiberalinMD