According to Campus Reform, the University at Buffalo recently hosted an event titled “Decolonizing Thanksgiving,” organized by the school’s Intercultural and Diversity Center on Thursday, November 21.
The event sparked controversy by questioning the traditional celebration of Thanksgiving and framing it within the context of what they called “America’s history of settler colonialism.”
“The hour-long event is part of the university’s “Tough Topics” segment. “Tough Topics are a weekly open forum to discuss local, national, global and trending news of interest to students,” the university’s event page says.
The program encouraged students to reflect on questions like, “Is it right to celebrate Thanksgiving and America’s history of settler colonialism?” and “What can we do to honor this day of mourning for Native communities?”
Critics argue that events like this attempt to rewrite American history, casting national holidays in a negative light rather than celebrating the shared values and traditions that unite Americans.
Thanksgiving, for many Americans, is a time to express gratitude, spend time with loved ones, and reflect on the blessings of freedom and opportunity. While acknowledging history is important, such efforts to politicize Thanksgiving risk dividing communities rather than fostering mutual understanding. Events like this highlight the ongoing debate over how America’s past should be viewed and discussed, especially in educational settings.
