Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Outside of the Meal

Outside of the meal, and a few days off from work, I’m not really much into celebrating Thanksgiving. I am not the one to want to be thankful for killing of the Indians and bringing Africans over to work as slaves, nor am I interested in the economic avarice associated with the seasonal sales and specials. I am just thankful each and everyday.

What am I thankful for? Too much to really mention. Sure my children and family, having shelter and being able to provide as best I can goes unsaid. But there are many intangibles, most of which related to character and integrity and being proud to say I live my life as a man as opposed to just a male. I am thankful that I can be there for my son and daughter to see and experiences what men as fathers do. I am proud and thankful that my character was spawned under the examples of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Although I may have the ability to conquer through violence, I am thankful that I can withstand the harshest treatment, even allowing someone to spit in my face and not retaliate. I figure if Jesus and Martin King can do such, so can I and I am less man than them both. I am thankful that I have a kind heart and that I use my words instead of my fist to reflect and represent who I am in elation and anger. I am thankful for being a free thinker and not a follower.

Being thanking means knowing that what ever I have, no matter how little or how much, that it is a blessing. Just as I am blessed to see the respect I get from my family as being the last man, other than my son and my Uncle’s son’s, in my family. I am thankful that I can live up to those responsibilities and maintain a smile on my face and a generous heart at the same time.

Like I said, I’m not much for celebrating bringing Africans over as slaves, or passing out blankets infected with small pox to the Indians As General Amherst did, but I am thankful and giving none the less.

22 comments:

Keesha Washington said...

You are correct. Its the intangle atomsphere of gratitude that is everlasting.

Don said...

Love this post.

You spit real. I know your children are thankful.

guerreiranigeriana said...

yo..that live feed trail thing freaks me the hell out!!...i do not like being tracked, especially when i can see it...makes me damn nervous...how the hell does it know where i am?...yo...gives me the creeps...who are you working for?...

...nice post...dunno when i'll be back here cuz i hate that trail thing...i got tagged...haven't completed the assignment just yet but i am tagging your ass...i expect you to comply and play along...since you gotta track folks!!:(...tell us what the hell makes you weird and i know you got a lot:)...

E.R. Carpenter said...

Nice post T. One thing you forgot, I'm thankful to have a day off (especially a paid one for most of us). Some of us even get that Friday off too.

I like the meal, the leftovers, SOME of the family getting together, and the game. I don't think think about the Pilgrims and their atrocities against Native Americans because we seem to have changed the day merely as a day to be thankful and to have a feast. Just like Christmas is about gifts and Easter is about eggs, chocolate, and bunny rabbits.

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

Keesha - gratitude is often over loooked until people have nothing to be grateful 4, thanks 4 the visit

Don - im yo twin, so u wrote the post as well

Guerr - site meter does the same, it just dont show the pub. do come back hon.

Eman - how his the book coming.

Anonymous said...

I think Kesha was right on wit the grattitude!

I agree with you on the foundations of our holidays or Hollow days, if you will. However, I think it important to give thanks daily as you stated. Our thoughts of grattitude and thanks are the vibrations we send out.

Mearly being is something for which to be greatful.

It is absolutley being a man when you can approach injustice with a rational mind instead of a violent reaction. It speaks to your state of mind being peace within.

We should all meet each day with an attitude of grattitude!

One Love,
Deanna

lea78 said...

i hate thanksgiving as well, it reminds me of how selfish the people who made and continue to run this country are. Forgive me I just left my American History class and it has me in a bit of an uproar. So much that I am thinking of starting a blog about it. I need a break, I am thankful for blogging what a great way to relieve stress

Blu Jewel said...

Great post! I know I can always come here and get the real talk and real words. This is the best Thanksgiving post I've read this week.

Ticia said...

Happy Thanksgiving :)

jali said...

Beautiful essay. I'll probably touch on some of your points tonight at open mic.

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

D - how terse, sweet and truthful. I can always leave it to u to embellish what my inte;llect thinks but heart cant say

Lea - I agree selfish folks are never thankful or satisfied

Blu - thanks for the accolades

Ticia - thanks for the blessings hon

Jali - hope u recorded it and gave me a shout out

ALL- happy nappy

esk said...

Great post...very thought-provoking!

I especially liked this section:

"I figure if Jesus and Martin King can do such, so can I and I am less man than them both. I am thankful that I have a kind heart and that I use my words instead of my fist to reflect and represent who I am in elation and anger. I am thankful for being a free thinker and not a follower."

Very powerful words...I wish more people out there had your attitude. It would do wonders for our society.

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

Sage - u made my day, thank u

Hijabee said...

I totally share your point of view. We shouldn't need a holiday to remind us to be thankful to God. We should be thankful to Him on a daily basis

Mizrepresent said...

Great post T! You are a man of your words and deeds...and i have no doubt will continue to do the right thing for your family and what you believe in. Be thankful for always being you and example to your son and lots of young men out there that you can do the things you do, without resulting to violence...which sadly has become the case amongst our young. Happy Thanksgiving T!

Anonymous said...

Not doing much online these days, but just KNEW if I came here I'd find something worthy of serious thought...and I did...fabulous post and wonderful sentiments...incredible strength, as well.

I'm sooooo over what the majority of America chooses to think of this holiday as (catch a clue America!), and am with you in seeing it as a day to give thanks: For family that's always there for me (strings attached, of course ;)), incredible friends who love me as I am, my dog (yes, my dog who is the epitome of unconditional love! :)), and for the ability to connect via the internet with folks I otherwise would not (ex. this blog :)).

Happy Thanksgiving Day everyone! :) (Now back to the flowing wine and my vegetarian fare! :))

guerreiranigeriana said...

happy turkey day!!!...still don't like the meter thing!!!!!...the rules for the tag are on my post...you can go catch and kiss girls if you please...

Miss T said...

Ditto! Thanks for keepin' it real brother! I am both African and Native American and my spirit does not rest when I know that lies have been spread and passed on for centuries about MOST holidays all in the name of fame, power and money for Europeans. From Thanksgiving to the Easter Bunny, to Valentine's Day (ooh...that's a doozie - had NOTHING to do with l-o-v-e!), to Jesus being born on Dec. 25th while Santa is checking his list twice!! We won't even get into that guy Columbus that was lost as a bat who stumbled upon the Americas that were already inhabited by US who had an AFRICAN navigator!!! C'mon folks! We have been blinded, mislead and some of us STILL peer through the smokescreen. BTW, did anyone know that we originally had a 10 month calendar, but due to the super inflated egos of Julius and Augustus, we now have July and August?? How's THAT for power?! Again...nothing much to celebrate...just more days off. Keep doin' what you're doin' brother. One day, we'll all catch on!

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

FA sy & Miz - Yep, yall hit it on the head

socal & guerreiranigeriana - thanks for the west coast wishes and back 2 ya from the dirty
miss t - welcome, and do come back, and i didnt know that

neshia said...

YOU ARE SO CORRECT

oakleyses said...

instyler ionic styler, canada goose outlet, beats headphones, canada goose outlet, abercrombie and fitch, p90x workout, vans outlet, birkin bag, mac cosmetics, reebok shoes, wedding dresses, ugg outlet, soccer jerseys, soccer shoes, chi flat iron, longchamp, insanity workout, jimmy choo shoes, babyliss pro, roshe run, valentino shoes, nike huarache, nfl jerseys, north face jackets, herve leger, giuseppe zanotti, mont blanc pens, new balance outlet, north face outlet, celine handbags, canada goose outlet, hollister, rolex watches, mcm handbags, ugg soldes, ugg boots, marc jacobs outlet, uggs outlet, nike trainers, bottega veneta, canada goose, asics shoes, ugg, lululemon outlet, ferragamo shoes, ghd, uggs on sale

oakleyses said...

canada goose uk, coach outlet, hollister, swarovski jewelry, canada goose, canada goose pas cher, links of london uk, pandora charms, montre femme, karen millen, converse, moncler, moncler, moncler outlet, louis vuitton canada, uggs canada, ray ban, moncler, vans, louboutin, hollister canada, swarovski uk, timberland shoes, toms outlet, thomas sabo uk, juicy couture outlet, baseball bats, ugg, wedding dress, converse shoes, juicy couture outlet, pandora jewelry, canada goose, pandora uk, hollister clothing, supra shoes, ralph lauren, replica watches, moncler, nike air max, iphone 6 case, gucci, air max, oakley, parajumpers outlet, moncler, lancel, moncler