Castro Valley High School’s award-winning student newspaper. We are born to seek the truth!

Opinion

Thanksgiving deserves more recognition

Thanksgiving is an indigenous holiday that needs to be accounted for. Once Halloween ends and the first day of November arises, everyone turns on their Christmas music. There’s nothing wrong with being excited for the Christmas season, but shouldn’t an important indigenous day like Thanksgiving be more appreciated?

For context, about 400 years ago, the Plymouth colonists had an autumn harvest feast to celebrate their first successful corn harvest that is now acknowledged as Thanksgiving. This day and this feast was so important that it was even named a national holiday.

Many may argue that they enjoy Christmas better, but you need to keep in mind that Christmas is a religious holiday and is not celebrated by everyone. However, Thanksgiving is a non religious holiday and anybody can celebrate it no matter your religion. For the people who are not religious or just don’t celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving is another holiday to let them enjoy and have a fun time with their family and friends. 

“I think that Thanksgiving is a really important holiday and people definitely need to give it more awareness. Thanksgiving isn’t only about the good food, it’s also about being thankful for your friends, family, etc, and being grateful for being here today and healthy,” said sophomore Ariadna Estebanez. 

To be honest, as a child, I would do the same thing. As soon as Halloween came to an end, the next holiday I got excited for was Christmas. Many people only view Christmas as the holiday you get a lot of presents on which is why they enjoy it so much. 

“Yes, I think that Thanksgiving needs to stop being overlooked and be recognized for the great holiday it is,” said sophomore Naomi Quibodeaux.

“My family loves Thanksgiving and eating dinner together as a family. We feel as if it brings us closer together and helps us appreciate each other more,” said sophomore Heather Nguyen.

“Having this special day to celebrate your friends and family gives me good vibes and is my favorite time of the year,” said sophomore Lillian Sequeira.