Thanksgiving Through a Black Liberation Lens

Thanksgiving is often presented as a simple celebration of gratitude, harvest, and togetherness, but its deeper history tells a richer and more complex story. The traditional narrative centers on a 1621 feast between English Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people, yet Indigenous communities had long practiced ceremonies of giving thanks long before European arrival. The holiday’s later transformation, especially when Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, was tied to national healing during the Civil War. For many Native people today, Thanksgiving is also a reminder of loss, land theft, and the impact of colonization, making it a day of mourning as much as remembrance. Understanding this fuller history gives us an honest foundation for how we honor gratitude today.

For Black communities in particular, Thanksgiving has evolved into something profoundly meaningful beyond the myths surrounding its origin. Across generations, Black families have used this day to gather, heal, and reconnect, turning a national holiday into a deeply cultural ritual of unity and resilience. From Sunday dinner traditions to church potlucks, the spirit of coming together over food has long been a cornerstone of Black survival and joy. Thanksgiving becomes another moment to strengthen those ties, pass down stories, check in on each other’s spirits, and celebrate the small and large victories that have carried us through another year. In this way, the holiday becomes an act of reclamation: a time to assert presence, honor lineage, and cultivate gratitude grounded in truth and community.

Gratitude in Black communities often blooms out of struggle and the ability to create joy even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Thanksgiving becomes a moment to pause and acknowledge the blessings, the lessons, and the ancestors who made our journeys possible. It is also a time to hold space for healing from generational pain, to uplift one another, and to speak life into the futures we are building. What may have begun as a national tradition becomes, in our hands, a communal practice of remembrance, nourishment, and love, a reminder that our gathering is itself an act of liberation.

In the same spirit, Thanksgiving offers an opportunity to give back and support those in our communities who need nourishment, connection, and care. Food insecurity remains a reality for many families across the country, especially in Black neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by economic inequalities. Supporting local food banks not only uplifts others but also honors the collective values that have sustained our communities for generations. Whether through volunteering, donating, or helping your neighbor prepare a holiday meal, every act of generosity becomes part of a larger tradition of mutual aid and solidarity.

For those looking to give or receive support this season, here are several food banks in key cities that serve as pillars of their communities. In Atlanta, the Atlanta Community Food Bank provides groceries and resources across the metro area. In New Orleans, numerous Feeding America partners offer support to families in need throughout the city. In Charlotte, many local pantries are available through the Feeding America network. Oakland residents can turn to the Alameda County Community Food Bank, a major resource for the Bay Area. In Washington, D.C., both the Capital Area Food Bank and Martha’s Table offer extensive food assistance programs, especially for children and families. These organizations embody the spirit of collective care that Thanksgiving calls us to uplift.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, may we do so with intention and reflection. Let us honor the true history of this day while embracing the ways Black communities have made it our own time to gather in love, speak gratitude into existence, break bread with family and chosen family, and recommit to caring for one another. In a world that often tries to pull us apart, Thanksgiving can become a sacred reminder of the power we hold when we come together. May your table be full, your heart be grounded, and your community be rich with connection and joy.

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Reading Resources

1. “Thanksgiving in the Black Community: A Celebration of Unity” – PushBlack

A cultural reflection on why Thanksgiving feels spiritually grounded and community-centered for many Black families. 🔗 https://www.pushblack.us/news/thanksgiving-black-community-celebration-unity

2. “The Roots of Black Thanksgiving: Why Mac and Cheese and Potato Salad Are So Popular” – The Washington Post

Explores African, Southern, and Black culinary traditions that shaped Black Thanksgiving tables. 🔗 https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/mac-and-cheese-potato-salad-and-history-the-roots-of-black-thanksgiving/2016/11/17/f9eff0d8-a866-11e6-8fc0-7be8f848c492_story.html

3. “Little Known Black History Fact: The Origins of Thanksgiving” – BlackAmericaWeb

A short historical article tracing how enslaved people and Black churches engaged with early Thanksgiving traditions. 🔗 https://blackamericaweb.com/2017/11/23/little-known-black-history-fact-the-origins-of-thanksgiving/

4. “Thanksgiving and American Black History” – African American Registry

A historical overview of Black people’s engagement with Thanksgiving from the colonial era to the 20th century. 🔗 https://aaregistry.org/story/thanksgiving-and-african-american-history-a-brief-article/

5. “How the Black Community Feels About Thanksgiving” – AFRO American Newspapers

A nuanced look at the varying perspectives Black people hold toward Thanksgiving today. 🔗 https://afro.com/how-the-black-community-feels-about-thanksgiving/

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Additional Resources:

City	Food Bank / Resource	Contact Info / Website
Atlanta, GA	Atlanta Community Food Bank	Address: 3400 North Desert Dr, Atlanta, GA 30344 Atlanta Community Food Bank+2Atlanta Community Food Bank+2 Phone: 404-892-3333 Atlanta Community Food Bank Get help: use their interactive pantry map or text “FINDFOOD” / “COMIDA” to 888-976-2232 to locate pantries. Atlanta Community Food Bank+2Atlanta Community Food Bank+2
Oakland, CA	Alameda County Community Food Bank	Address: 7900 Edgewater Dr, Oakland, CA 94621 Alameda County Community Food Bank+1 Helpline: 1-510-635-3663 (Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm) Alameda County Community Food Bank+1 Also, use FoodNow.net for a live directory of pantries. Alameda County Community Food Bank+1
Washington, D.C.	Capital Area Food Bank	Website: capitalareafoodbank.org (They serve D.C., Maryland, Virginia through more than 450 community partners.)