Is there any chance for the always disgruntled left?
I’d like to think so. I even wrote about the idea of welcoming others—even strangers—during Thanksgiving. Yet, when it comes to Robert Jensen, it’s a bit challenging.
His views tend to dampen the Thanksgiving spirit. Jensen, a writer for Alternet, a hub for the fervently far-left, claims the holiday should be about “fasting instead of feasting” and suggests we need a National Day of Atonement. This, he says, would acknowledge the genocide of indigenous peoples central to the United States’ founding.
Thanksgiving Gripes
Jensen is not a fan of Thanksgiving. He has voiced his discontent for years, recently labeling it “evil.” His frustration seems to have escalated—perhaps because he can’t persuade others on the left to skip the turkey and pumpkin pie. They just don’t share his austere attitude. And, honestly, who could blame them?
Some even have the audacity to argue that coming together on Thanksgiving fosters love and connection among family and friends.
Yet Jensen positions himself as more committed than anyone else, insisting, “You simply don’t understand.”
He argues that a genuine moral response would address historical injustices and call for land and wealth redistribution. It’s no surprise his fellow leftists might prefer to enjoy the stuffing instead. They talk about wealth redistribution, which is intriguing given their own affluence—but then again, the left’s struggle sessions are hardly festive.
Last year, he expressed his internal conflict between two unappealing choices:
We can either attend Thanksgiving events where friends and family take a political stance, risking the day’s enjoyment for others—or abstain from such gatherings altogether, which might alienate those who wish to enjoy themselves.… We must reject civility if it means complicit acceptance of falsehoods.
Do you feel sorry for Jensen’s family yet?
Picture him ranting amid mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, declaring, “We exist in a society built on white supremacy and greed. What work do we engage in to sustain this critique until conditions allow for real progressive politics?”
In the end, he chose to stay at home, alone, contemplating “the genocidal actions of Europeans.”
But he’s irked that people define holidays as moments to unwind, share joy, and enjoy delicious food.
“We don’t individually define holidays; their significance lies in common understanding,” he asserted. “You can’t just redefine holidays in your own private terms when the dominant culture shapes them differently.”
(I can think of some shared meanings the left has reinterpreted to suit their narrative, but that’s a different matter.)
Jensen also noted that attending events that protest Thanksgiving is an option. But he mentioned last year that he hadn’t seen any anti-Thanksgiving gatherings near him and felt too preoccupied with other political involvements to organize something meaningful for the occasion.
It’s curious that he has been lamenting this since at least 2017 yet claims he lacks time to “plan an effective event.” Perhaps his other commitments take precedence.
Is there ever a moment where these folks can just relax and be human, rather than focusing solely on “political projects”?
What Jensen Overlooks
While we recognize the troubling treatment of Native Americans throughout history, it’s worth noting that things were not entirely peaceful before European arrival. Intertribal conflicts were common, with tribes regularly warring over territory.
But the essence of Thanksgiving is something truly noteworthy.
Let’s look at what transpired:
- A young boy named Squanto from a Wampanoag village was kidnapped by a European captain, sold as a slave in Spain, and later freed by kind monks. After learning English and returning to his village, he discovered it had been decimated by disease.
- Meanwhile, pilgrims en route to Manhattan ended up in an abandoned village, discovering food stores and fresh water.
- When Squanto reappeared, he communicated with the pilgrims and educated them on crop planting, facilitating treaties with Chief Massasoit.
- Despite the assistance, many pilgrims perished from harsh conditions. Their leader, William Bradford, acknowledged that Squanto’s help was a divine gift that ensured their survival.
- The Wampanoags also gained from their alliance with the Pilgrims, who helped them fend off other tribal threats.
The celebration of that initial fall harvest arose from gratitude towards Squanto and divine guidance that enabled these two groups to forge peaceful connections.
Ninety Wampanoag joined the remaining 53 pilgrims for a three-day feast and games—a gathering that influenced President Lincoln’s decision to adopt a Thanksgiving holiday years later, commemorating the collaborative spirit of that early feast.
So, Robert Jensen, perhaps if white Europeans and indigenous people could share a meal, it’s possible for families today to enjoy turkey and pie, too.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
