(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) To celebrate Thanksgiving, the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia made the proclamation that we are all on “native land.”
According to the Post Millennial, this claim quickly stoked internet controversy, with reasonable Americans coming to the defense of the holiday and their forefathers.
ACLU’s tweet simply said “YOU ARE ON NATIVE LAND,” 10 times.
YOU ARE ON NATIVE LAND.
YOU ARE ON NATIVE LAND.
YOU ARE ON NATIVE LAND.
YOU ARE ON NATIVE LAND.
YOU ARE ON NATIVE LAND.
YOU ARE ON NATIVE LAND.
YOU ARE ON NATIVE LAND.
YOU ARE ON NATIVE LAND.
YOU ARE ON NATIVE LAND.
YOU ARE ON NATIVE LAND.— ACLU of Virginia (@ACLUVA) November 24, 2022
They followed it up with a how to guide to “deconolize” the holiday, encouraging people to “tell the truth” about the holiday.
“As you observe Thanksgiving with your loved ones, we hope you will make space to #DecolonizeThanksgiving within your celebration to acknowledge & tell the truth about our history, even if it is uncomfortable, & honor the experience of Indigenous people,” the organization wrote.
As you observe Thanksgiving with your loved ones, we hope you will make space to #DecolonizeThanksgiving within your celebration to acknowledge & tell the truth about our history, even if it is uncomfortable, & honor the experience of Indigenous people.
A few ways to do that: pic.twitter.com/rbaXglXAA4
— ACLU of Virginia (@ACLUVA) November 24, 2022
The post included a picture of five ways to “decolonize Thanksgiving,” one of which is “teach[ing] a historically accurate story, rather than a colonized story of Thanksgiving.”
The did not specify what about the original story was “inaccurate,” nor what a more accurate historical retelling would consist. They also encouraged readers to research the history of local indigenous communities, support indigenous-owned businesses and share “new traditions with your circle.”
Twitter users responded quickly, coming to the defense of the American holiday.
SO ARE YOU
SO ARE YOU
SO ARE YOU
SO ARE YOU
SO ARE YOU
SO ARE YOU— Adam B. Coleman, President of Aintblackistan (@wrong_speak) November 25, 2022
“Not only is this ahistorical nonsense and trite, but the ACLU has completely lost its signal and has become co-opted, a cult and a hate group,” tweeted user BT. “But keep tweeting.”
“I plan on colonizing harder,” said user notJake.
Others posted pictures of gruesome sacrifice rituals practiced by the early natives.
— Ben Zeisloft (@BenZeisloft) November 27, 2022
Several others recommended the ACLU put their money where their mouth is and leave their offices and country behind.
You should disband and give all of your offices to them.
— Rev. Ducati 🏁🏴☠️ (@Reverend_Ducati) November 25, 2022
As are you guys, are you going to put your money where your mouth is and give it back?? We are all waiting…
— David Giglio (@DavidGiglioCA) November 25, 2022
Others simply told the ACLU to be quiet and stop decrying the holiday for cheap political points.
Or, you know, you could spend time with your loved ones not being an absolute chore to deal with. So there’s that.
— Ian (@ianfs) November 25, 2022
Yeah, well, uh… nope. Didn’t do anything like that. I’m not brain-dead woke enough. I did have lots of turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes and spent time with family and gave thanks to God.
So… was your, uh, “decolonized” Thanksgiving a rockin’, happenin’ event?
— Sean McCune (@SeanOfSnark) November 25, 2022
Let’s all do our part and thank a native today https://t.co/0KhNQkUFNF
— The Bandit (@paperbackpack) November 24, 2022
The national branch of the ACLU did not even acknowledge the holiday. They did, however, post about their black Friday sale.
