Pro
By Charlie Vilensky / Staff Reporter
During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln established Thanksgiving as a way to reunite Americans. While some question celebrating the holiday because of the harmful treatment of Indigenous people by the colonists, Thanksgiving fosters gratitude and unites people, and it should continue to be a national holiday.
Each year, as people sit around the table with their friends and family, they are given the chance to reflect on the various relationships and joyful experiences in their lives. Thanksgiving offers an opportunity to think about what we are grateful for, which has social and emotional benefits.
According to a UCLA article, medical professionals analyzed over 70 studies linking high levels of gratitude with low levels of depression and anxiety. Also, low amounts of gratitude are proven to cause stress and decrease life satisfaction, according to the study.
Thanksgiving also fosters a sense of community by bringing families together, which can also positively affect mental health.
According to the journal Family Relationships and Well-Being by the National Library of Medicine, increased time spent with loved ones can benefit one’s social and emotional health. Thanksgiving provides a time for families to come together while also creating an environment full of appreciation. This is highly beneficial for mental well-being.
Those opposed to celebrating Thanksgiving may point to the historical context in which the first Thanksgiving took place. It is of utmost importance that we remember the discrimination and suffering Indigenous people faced throughout history so we can learn from it. Instead of removing Thanksgiving as a national holiday altogether, Americans should consciously acknowledge the history of Indigenous people in the United States.
The United States should continue to celebrate Thanksgiving because it promotes gratitude and community. It should remain a chance to be appreciative, while people also recognize the experiences and amplify the voices of Indigenous people.
Con
By Riley Butts / Staff Reporter
Since 1863, Thanksgiving has been a holiday where friends and family share meals and express gratitude. However, this day is also known as the National Day of Mourning for Native Americans. Modern-day Thanksgiving celebrations diminish the tragedies and oppression Indigenous people have experienced. These celebrations are problematic because they overlook the holiday’s historical significance and have a negative impact on modern day society and emotional well-being.
Thanksgiving should be a day to remember the Indigenous people who lost their lives in mass genocide, the theft of native land and the assault on native culture committed by colonists. Indigenous families use this day to mourn the loss of individual people and tribes, and the holiday shouldn’t be celebrated out of respect for these losses.
According to a Smithsonian article, educators tend to lean toward a superficial story of Thanksgiving, one that overlooks the holiday’s historical context. In some American elementary schools, teachers have students make Indigenous headdresses out of construction paper, which contributes to stereotypes and cultural appropriation, according to the article. Promoting such a whitewashed version of Thanksgiving undermines the tragedy that Indigenous people went through.
Awkward interactions tend to take place during Thanksgiving. Being surrounded by family one doesn’t see eye to eye with can negatively impact mental health. Moreover, this holiday can be a time where people may feel alone and depressed if they don’t have family or friends to share the holiday with. It can create stress and anxiety rather than a sense of belonging.
While Thanksgiving is portrayed as a celebratory day when Indigenous people welcomed the Pilgrims, this narrative ignores the suffering Indigenous people faced at the hands of the colonists. As Thanksgiving approaches this year, it is crucial to remain culturally sensitive while celebrating, given the holiday’s history.
Read additional student perspectives on whether Thanksgiving should remain a national holiday here. Published and digitized November 2025.
