Thanksgiving: Bring back the politics of inclusion

Painting by Brownscombe showing early Thanksgiving in America

Today the United States celebrates Thanksgiving and reflects upon its past.  It recognizes the welcome early settlers had from Native Americans and how they prepared a feast to share in recognition and respect for one another in the politics of inclusion.

All of this is a good example for today's Thanksgiving and also for the nation's future, when we can welcome others, strangers to our country with the same embrace those early settlers had when they arrived in America from  many of the Native Americans, who put down fears and suspicions in order to make new friends.  They did this  when like today times were hard, food in short supply, and there were worries about the risks and dangers each new day would bring.

Let us then today in the America of 2014 greet those who are different from us with love and harmony, instead of the suspicion and rancor that comes from fear, generated by those who seek power for themselves rather than community harmony and progress for us all.

Let's remember what truly made our country great and that can protect and shelter it tomorrow and for every day to come and that is love and respect for each other.  Let us open the doors of our homes to welcome friends and strangers alike today and as long as our nation lives from this day forth.  And bring back the politics of inclusion.

Happy Thanksgiving from Carol Forsloff, Publisher and our guest writers.