What Really Happened in Plymouth in 1621?

[Jcrowley]

What Really Happened in Plymouth in 1621?

According to a single-paragraph account in the writings of one Pilgrim, a harvest feast did take place in Plymouth in 1621, probably in mid-October, but the Indians who attended were not even invited. Though it later became known as "Thanksgiving," the Pilgrims never called it that. And amidst the imagery of a picnic of interracial harmony is some of the most terrifying bloodshed in New World history.

The Pilgrim crop had failed miserably that year, but the agricultural expertise of the Indians had produced twenty acres of corn, without which the Pilgrims would have surely perished. The Indians often brought food to the Pilgrims, who came from England ridiculously unprepared to survive and hence relied almost exclusively on handouts from the overly generous Indians-thus making the Pilgrims the western hemisphere's first class of welfare recipients. The Pilgrims invited the Indian sachem Massasoit to their feast, and it was Massasoit, engaging in the tribal tradition of equal sharing, who then invited ninety or more of his Indian brothers and sisters-to the annoyance of the 50 or so ungrateful Europeans. No turkey, cranberry sauce or pumpkin pie was served; they likely ate duck or geese and the venison from the 5 deer brought by Massasoit. In fact, most, if notall, of the food was most likely brought and prepared by the Indians, whose 10,000-year familiarity with the cuisine of the region had kept the whites alive up to that point.

The Pilgrims wore no black hats or buckled shoes-these were the silly inventions of artists hundreds of years since that time. These lower-class Englishmen wore brightly colored clothing, with one of their church leaders recording among his possessions "1 paire of greene drawers." Contrary to the fabricated lore of storytellers generations since, no Pilgrims prayed at the meal, and the supposed good cheer and fellowship must have dissipated quickly once the Pilgrims brandished their weaponry in a primitive display of intimidation. What's more, the Pilgrims consumed a good deal of home brew. In fact, each Pilgrim drank at least a half gallon of beer a day, which they preferred even to water. This daily inebriation led their governor, William Bradford, to comment on his people's "notorious sin," which included their "drunkenness and uncleanliness" and rampant "sodomy"...

The Pilgrims of Plymouth, The Original Scalpers

Contrary to popular mythology the Pilgrims were no friends to the local Indians. They were engaged in a ruthless war of extermination against their hosts, even as they falsely posed as friends. Just days before the alleged Thanksgiving love-fest, a company of Pilgrims led by Myles Standish actively sought to chop off the head of a local chief. They deliberately caused a rivalry between two friendly Indians, pitting one against the other in an attempt to obtain "better intelligence and make them both more diligent." An 11-foot-high wall was erected around the entire settlement for the purpose of keeping the Indians out.

http://www.danielnpaul.com/TheRealThanksgiving.html

[Jcrowley]

1. Good afternoon Sisters and Brothers:

Good afternoon Sisters and Brothers:

Today, as we have done each year since 1970, United American Indians of New England and our supporters have gathered here to protest and to speak out against the oppression of all people. It is hard to believe that today marks the 30th time that we have gathered on this hill, in all kinds of weather, to speak the truth. I wish I could say that we have always been welcomed here because we speak the truth. Over the years, those who do not want the truth to come out have tried many times and in many ways to silence us. Each and every year we have returned stronger and more determined than the year before. Day of Mourning came into being in 1970 as a direct result of the state's need to keep the Pilgrim mythology alive. Wamsutta Frank James had been invited to address a gathering of dignitaries commemorating the 350th anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims. Because his remarks did not fit the mythology, he was told that he could not give the speech he had written. The state was more than willing to write a speech for him that would keep the lies alive. He refused to have words placed in his mouth. Instead of speaking to a group of dignitaries in the warmth of a banquet hall, he and a small group of Native Americans came here to Plymouth, stood in the cold, and declared US Thanksgiving Day a National Day of Mourning. What was it about the speech that got those officials so upset?

Here is the truth: The reason they talk about the pilgrims and not an earlier English-speaking colony, Jamestown, is that in Jamestown the circumstances were way too ugly to hold up as an effective national myth. For example, the white settlers in Jamestown turned to cannibalism to survive. Not a very nice story to tell the kids in school. The pilgrims did not find an empty land any more than Columbus "discovered" anything. Every inch of this land is Indian land. The pilgrims (who did not even call themselves pilgrims) did not come here seeking religious freedom; they already had that in Holland. They came here as part of a commercial venture. They introduced sexism, racism, anti-lesbian and gay bigotry, jails, and the class system to these shores. They were no better than any other group of Europeans when it came to their treatment of the Indigenous peoples here. And no, they did not even land at that sacred shrine down the hill called Plymouth Rock, a monument to racism and oppression which we are proud to say we buried, not once, but twice in 1970 and again in 1995.

Upon first arriving, the pilgrims opened my ancestors' graves and took our corn and bean supplies. Later, from the very harbor we can see from here, the English sold my ancestors as slaves for 220 shillings each.

The first official "Day of Thanksgiving" was proclaimed in 1637 by Governor Winthrop. He did so to celebrate the safe return of men from Massachusetts who had gone to Mystic, Connecticut to participate in the massacre of over 700 Pequot women, children, and men.

http://www.pkblogs.com/ductapefatwa/2003_11_01_ductapefatwa_archive.html

[earthside]

2. Blah ... Blah ... Blah

Just keep whining over what a very small group of misguided religious folks did 350 years ago ... that'll get the troops home from Iraq ... that'll promote peace in Palestine ... that'll get us national health insurance ...

Have a nice Thanksgiving Day.

[Jcrowley]

4. The policies of today

are the legacy of the policies of yesterday. What occured was far more than a few misguided religious folks. We don't need to document that do we?

No whining here. Just the historical reality.

How does what we practice today further the historical myths that create a national amnesia that contribute to ongoing omnicidal policies?

Food for thought.

[bahrbearian]

5. Some people just don't want to learn from history,,

We have no need to change our ways. Until we become the conquered.

We Are Not Vanishing.

We Are Not Conquered.

We Are As Strong As Ever

[shance]

12. Absolutely Jcrowley. Thank you for posting.

n/t

[leftchick]

14. Many of this nation's celebrations are based on myths

Columbus Day anyone? Now there was a great guy. :sarcasm:

[nadinbrzezinski]

23. Well, well yes he was

if yuo ignore all the bagage, including his bad math and other details.

Funny, Columbus Day did not become a big day here until Italian American pushed it.

Now south of the border it has taken on a misture of remembrance and celebration of a new man, the Cosmic Man the American man.

The way I choose to celebrate this day is not the mythic feast that truly never occured... or the slagher, but to celebrate my family.

As a historian though I do remember what happened for real and that the MAss Bay Colony was all but heaven on earth

[bleedingheart]

6. ??????

If anything the miguided polices today are a reflection that we have not learned very much have we???

[Lone_Star_Dem]

17. Remembering history accurately is not whining.

It's important that we not change history to represent us in a better light than reality represents.

Imagine if some day they were to paint George Bush as a great leader and peacemaker, just to make his reality less harsh. I hope if that were ever to happen there would be a voice of reason to remind us of what really took place.

[cali]

30. Yeah, but that absurd OP

is no more accurate history than the Thanksgiving story we all learned in elementary school. It is, in fact, just unmitigated bullshit of another political variety. Just to mention a couple: The original pilgrims were not lower class. They were, in fact, a mix of classes. As for the absurd claim that they wore brightly colored clothing based on a reference to- gasp - green drawers; absurd.

[nadinbrzezinski]

24. Why is it that many Americans hate to be confronted

by the reality behind the myths?

[Hissyspit]

27. Past Is Present. n/t

[City of Mills]

32. Judging by the passion you display in your blog...

...regarding Iraq I don't understand your hurtful dismissal of this issue. I guess we should all get over it.

This Native American wishes you a happy thanksgiving.

[KitSileya]

16. I've been listening to Buffy Sainte-Marie a lot this week...

"My Country 'tis of thy people you're dying."
© 1966, Gypsy Music, Inc.

Now that your big eyes are finally opened.
Now that you're wondering, "How must they feel?"
Meaning them that you've chased cross America's movie screens;
Now that you're wondering, "How can it be real?"
That the ones you've called colorful, noble and proud
In your school propaganda,
They starve in their splendour.
You asked for our comment, I simply will render:
My country 'tis of thy people you're dying.

Now that the long houses “breed superstition”
You force us to send our children away
To your schools where they're taught to despise their traditions
Forbid them their languages;
Then further say that American history really began
When Columbus set sail out of Europe and stress
That the nations of leeches who conquered this land
Were the biggest, and bravest, and boldest, and best.
And yet where in your history books is the tale
Of the genocide basic to this country's birth?
Of the preachers who lied?
How the Bill of Rights failed?
How a nation of patriots returned to their earth?
And where will it tell of the Liberty Bell
As it rang with a thud over Kinzua mud?
Or of brave Unlce Sam in Alaska this year?
My country 'tis of thy people you're dying.

Hear how the bargain was made for West,
With her shivering children in zero degrees.
" Blankets for your land" - so the treaties attest.
Oh well, blankets for land, that's a bargain indeed.
And the blankets were those Uncle Sam had collected
From smallpox diseased dying soldiers that day.
And the tribes were wiped out
And the history books censored
A hundred years of your statesmen
say, "It's better this way".
But a few of the conquered have somehow survived
And their blood runs the redder
Though genes have been paled.
From the Grand Canyon's caverns
To Craven's sad hills
The wounded, the losers, the robbed sing their tale.
From Los Angeles County to upstate New York,
The white nation fattens while other grow lean.
Oh the tricked and evicted they know what I mean:
My country 'tis of thy people you're dying.

The past it just crumbled; the future just threatens
Our life blood is shut up in your chemical tanks,
And now here you come, bill of sale in your hand
And surprise in your eyes, that we're lacking in thanks
For the blessings of civilisation you brought us
The lessons you've taught us;
The ruin you've wrought us;
Oh see what our trust in America got us.
My country 'tis of thy people you're dying.

Now that the pride of the sires receives charity.
Now that we're harmless and safe behind laws.
Now that my life's to be known as your heritage.
Now that even the graves have been robbed.
Now that our own chosen way is your novelty.
Hands on our hearts
We salute you your victory:
Choke on your blue white and scarlet hypocrisy.
Pitying your blindness; How you never see -
that the eagles of war whose wings lent you glory,
Were never no more than buzzards & crows:
Pushed some wrens from their nest;
Stole their eggs; changed their story.
The mockingbird sings it;
It's all that she knows.
" Oh what can I do?", say a powerless few.
With a lump in your throat and a tear in your eye:
Can't you see how their poverty's profiting you?
My country 'tis of thy people you're dying.

[Jcrowley]

21. Thank you for that

Was listening to an album of hers just yesterday "Coincidences and Unlikely Stories."

Here is a song with a similar theme from Goanna, an Australian band. Video link below. Highly recommend this:

Out here nothin' changes, not in a hurry anyway
You feel the endlessness with the comin' of the light o' day
We're talkin' about a chosen place
You wouldn't sell it in a marketplace, well
Well just a minute now

Standing on solid rock
Standing on sacred ground
Living o-on borrowed ti-i-i-ime
And the winds of change are blowin' down the line
Right down the line

Round about the dawn o' time, When dreamin' all began
A croud o' people came
Well they were looking for their promised land
Were running from the heart of darkness
Searching for the heart o' light
Well it was their paradise

But they were standin' on - solid rock
Standing o-on sacred grou-ound
Living o-on borrowed ti-i-i-ime
And the winds of change were blowing cold that night
Oh

They were standin' on the shore one day, Saw the white sails in the sun
Wasn't long before they felt the sting, white man, white law, white gun
Don't tell me that it's justified, 'cause somewhere, someone lied
Yeah well someone lied, someone lied, genocide
Well someone lied, oh, ahh

And now you're standing on - solid rock
Standing o-on a sacred grou-ound
Living o-on borrowed ti-i-i-ime
And the winds of change are blowin' down the li-ine

Solid rock, Standing on sacred ground
Living o-on borrowed ti-i-i-ime
And the winds of change are blowing down the line
Solid rock, Standing o-on sacred grou-ound
Living o-on borrowed ti-i-i-ime
And the winds of change are blowing down the line
Oh-oh-oh no, NO-O

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqHWLDnjRrs

[Jed Dilligan]

3. Someone needs to make a movie

showing how it really was.

[Karenina]

9. The Canary Effect...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4245739155911092640

The whole thing is being shown TODAY ONLY here:

www.thenaica.org

[Jcrowley]

11. Thanks for that

I will watch that tonight.

[proud2BlibKansan]

20. Thank you so much!

My son and I just put the turkey in the oven and watched that movie. It was excellent. I sent it out to a bunch of my friends.

[Sabien]

28. The Canary Effect

is EXCELLENT

[El Supremo]

10. They did. It was on TV Sunday.

"Desperate Crossing - The Untold Story of the Mayflower" on the History Channel. Far more realistic than anything I've seen before.

[elocs]

7. I have roots from both sides.

On my mother's side my first ancestor came to Salem, Massachusetts in 1628 coming from Dorsett, England. My great-grandmother on my father's side was a Cherokee. We are a product of our history and need to learn from it. Otherwise, why bother with history at all? Thanks for an interesting post. Ah, if the Native Americans knew then what they know now we most likely would not be having this conversation.

[liberal N proud]

8. And the white males of this country (the group of which I am one) have continued

to rape and pillage the earth ever since.

[cali]

31. Simplistic generalizations

aren't history no matter which side of the fence they're thrown from.

[shance]

13. Well, its clear the Bushes were descendants of this particular

group of Pilgrims. ;)

Happy Thanksgiving DUer's!

:toast:

[Jcrowley]

15. Came across this

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION
JUNE 20, 1676
Did you know that Thanksgiving was originally in the summer?

"The Holy God having by a long and Continual Series of his Afflictive dispensations in and by the present Warr with the Heathen Natives of this land, written and brought to pass bitter things against his own Covenant people in this wilderness, yet so that we evidently discern that in the midst of his judgements he hath remembered mercy, having remembered his Footstool in the day of his sore displeasure against us for our sins, with many singular Intimations of his Fatherly Compassion, and regard; reserving many of our Towns from Desolation Threatened, and attempted by the Enemy, and giving us especially of late with many of our Confederates many signal Advantages against them, without such Disadvantage to ourselves as formerly we have been sensible of, if it be the Lord's mercy that we are not consumed, It certainly bespeaks our positive Thankfulness, when our Enemies are in any measure disappointed or destroyed; and fearing the Lord should take notice under so many Intimations of his returning mercy, we should be found an Insensible people, as not standing before Him with Thanksgiving, as well as lading him with our Complaints in the time of pressing Afflictions:

The Council has thought meet to appoint and set apart the 29th day of this instant June, as a day of Solemn Thanksgiving and praise to God for such his Goodness and Favour, many Particulars of which mercy might be Instanced, but we doubt not those who are sensible of God's Afflictions, have been as diligent to espy him returning to us; and that the Lord may behold us as a People offering Praise and thereby glorifying Him; the Council doth commend it to the Respective Ministers, Elders and people of this Jurisdiction; Solemnly and seriously to keep the same Beseeching that being perswaded by the mercies of God we may all, even this whole people offer up our bodies and soulds as a living and acceptable Service unto God by Jesus Christ."

[niallmac]

18. Thanks for the history snippet.

Frankly I find this kind of historical blah blah much more fascinating than the public school
blah blah I got as a child.

This small number of religious malcontents should not be discounted as to their
influence in the moral social fabric of our country.
The Protestant Puritan ethic is alive and well today.

The racist manner in which we viewed the natives of this land is not
very far from the attitude that puts our soldiers in other lands today.
It is with a kind of Christian condescension that we bluster into
other societies armed with moral might.

If this country can face it's failings as well as it's strengths
I believe our blunders into the affairs of
others will be harder to pull off.

[Mnemosyne]

19. Error: You've already recommended that thread.

Hear, hear Jcrowley!

It can never be forgotten. It hasn't ended since then.

[NYC]

22. I hadn't.

Now, I have. :hi:

[Mnemosyne]

29. The more the merrier NYC!

:hi:

[THUNDER HANDS]

25. now, if history less than 400 years old could be that wrong

imagine how wrong history 2000 years old has been perceived.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

26. bush likes to say history will be his judge.

Of course that is because he is depending on his family connections to make certain he will painted in a good light.

Thanks for your post. It is a valuable lesson to all us who wish to see history without the misleading rose colored glasses.

[Blue in Bama]

33. Here is a question for ya

if you are still around. When is Christs REAL B'day? Certainly not Dec 25...more likely in the spring when Jews went to Jerusalem to pay taxes...

[Jcrowley]

34. My take

Not according to historians. It is believed that he was born some time in September.
I found this:.
Was Jesus born on December 25, or in December at all? Although it's not impossible, it seems unlikely. The Bible does not specify a date or month. One problem with December is that it would be unusual for shepherds to be "abiding in the field" at this cold time of year when fields were unproductive. The normal practice was to keep the flocks in the fields from Spring to Autumn. Also, winter would likely be an especially difficult time for pregnant Mary to travel the long distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem (70 miles).

"A more probable time would be late September, the time of the annual Feast of Tabernacles, when such travel was commonly accepted. Thus, it is rather commonly believed (though not certain) that Jesus' birth was around the last of September. The conception of Christ, however, may have taken place in late December of the previous year. Our Christmas celebration may well be recognized as an honored observation of the incarnation of 'the Word made flesh' (John 1:14).

[Blue in Bama]

35. Thanks for that rapid response...

Much appreciated and the December celebration coinciding with conception makes some sense, too. Of course so does the early church coopting the Pagan Festival of Lights, too. Which is why people burn lilghts around the winter solstice. Or equinox, whatever the heck it is...