Gratefulness in a world of unhappiness
By NEVAEH KARRAKER— nakarraker@ucdavis.edu
For many this fall season, the re-election of Donald Trump for a second term does not evoke any cheerful sentiment. Social media has been flooded with posts conveying a sense of concern, rage and deep sadness from women, immigrants and others affected by the election results. The future is unknown.
On top of that, finals are fast approaching. Not only do college students have to worry about changes to their government, economy and policies, but there are also critical exams that can influence winter registration. Even beyond studies and politics, seasonal depression lurks within the colder weather, continuously creeping up on students as they lose motivation to attend classes.
Given all of this unhappiness, it can seem pointless to celebrate any upcoming holidays — obviously, there are larger concerns at hand. However, if that’s the present mindset, we miss the whole point of Thanksgiving. Celebrating it in no way disregards reality; Rather, it’s a chance to be grateful despite reality.
That’s one reason why Thanksgiving is so important. We have to be grateful for what we do have in lieu of being consumed by what we lack. The world is chaotic, especially now, but it is not shameful to have the capacity to enjoy a dinner with loved ones. In fact, it’s more crucial than ever.
Since the exposure of the more-than-gruesome backstory of Thanksgiving — with the influence of disease and violence against the Wampanoag tribe — the holiday has been viewed by many as a propaganda technique. However, as long as we address this history, we can appreciate what the contemporary holiday stands for; The past is not defining, but rather liberating.
Following the Civil War, tensions remained extremely high as abolition movements experienced retaliation during the Reconstruction Era. American writer and activist Sara Hale campaigned for the national holiday as a “joyful tribute” for blessings, and Republican president Abraham Lincoln was fond of it. He established Thanksgiving as a national holiday to diffuse conflict, unite an antagonistic America and promote democracy.
And, of course, we all know turkeys are the centerpiece of this festive feast. This poultry was indigenous to New England and therefore exceedingly cheap during the war, becoming a staple for soldiers. Thus, turkeys turned into a symbol which represented this newfound harmony.
As America confronts unresolved vexation about what the future will entail, tradition remains constant. The corny (no pun intended) autumn leaves, pumpkins, turkey and gravy may seem obnoxious and redundant, yet it is something we can rely on. In times of uncertainty, it is of the essence that we focus on what we can control rather than on what we can’t. Whether we adopt pessimism or optimism, we must critically consider if and how we extend our emotions onto others.
In the end, the constitution is still intact, and we are not under authoritarian or communist rule. We still have the freedom to choose to celebrate (or not celebrate) holidays. While acknowledging the implications of others’ decisions is necessary, we cannot become too fixated on them. Gratefulness is not ignorance, it’s awareness.
The younger generations have been persistently told that they are the future by older generations — no wonder the student body is so disturbed. How can they be a part of the future if they have to fix the fragmented system of the people who thrust that future upon them? It appears like there is barely a future to anticipate.
Even so, I believe that the youth are the change. If one complains there’s not enough art in the world, become an artist. If one complains medicine is inadequate, become a doctor. If one complains the government is corrupted, become a keeper of objective truth as a journalist. This doesn’t mean that every person who feels conflicted during these times has to take upon the most laborious, complicated task. It’s simply this — if one wants change, they have to be the change.
With all of this said, mindset is an incredibly powerful tool. As people communicate to one another their beliefs and thus their disposition, the youth can serve as a catalyst to redirect the nation’s attention to what really matters: being optimistic as we concentrate on the people, memories and traditions we love.
Written by: Nevaeh Karraker—nakarraker@ucdavis.edu
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by The California Aggie.
