The article that I chose/resonated the most with was Thanksgiving for Native Americans Four Voices on a Complicated Holiday. I have mixed feelings toward this holiday since my religion doesn’t observe it and strictly forbids Muslims from celebrating non-Islamic holidays.  This article doesn’t necessarily focus on the positives of Thanksgiving experiences but rather the negative experiences/history behind it such as the genocide of Native Americans, and the displacement of native traditions. I think it’s paramount to share the true story of Thanksgiving as evident in the article: “You take the holiday and make it yours. That doesn’t strip it of its original meaning or its context. There’s still a really sad holiday as well. It is a holiday that commemorates the beginning of the end for us, the death of a culture. I guess you could say Thanksgiving is also about survival, look how strong we are.” This was brought up by Sherman Alexie, a famous author who also has native ancestry and felt disheartened discussing his view on the holiday and how it has become a double-edged sword in American history. 

If I were to assume what Thanksgiving means to me despite not celebrating it, would be sharing a meal with relatives and spending quality time with them. I empathize with the holiday despite not being associated with it since back in middle school the student council would create a potluck feast and everyone would bring a special dish from their home and share it with the class. At the time I did not participate and I just sat there and watched others around me eating and having a good time. I knew how they felt since in my religion during Eid- we too would have a feast and eat with our family. So in spite of the differences of the holiday the commonality of food and family played a thematic role on the meaning of Thanksgiving.