I’m sending love to everyone who is having a rough time today. Indigenous people. LGBTQ people. Those without homes. Those without food. The list goes on. Everyone Please read…
While you sit around your Thanksgiving table this year and go Black Friday shopping tonight, please know that for Indigenous People, today is a National Day of Mourning.
Wamsutta Frank James in 1970 said “Today we must work towards a more humane America, a more Indian America, where men and nature once again are important, where the Indian values of honor, truth and brotherhood prevail…” (Citation from WBUR, Boston’s NPR News Station, go here to read the full speech)
I encourage you to learn about Indigenous people – take classes in college, read books, listen to Indigenous people. Find out who’s land you are on (go to Native-Land.ca) I live on land belonging to the Tongva, Chumash, and Kizh. What land are you on? Take a moment today to understand the true history of what happened 400 years ago – colonization and genocide.
Take a moment today to practice kindness. Make a donation. Feed the homeless. Buy coffee for the person behind you in line. Bring kindness and generosity to the day.
I also encourage you to think of the things that you are grateful for. Think beyond material possessions… I’m grateful for the stars, I’m grateful to have food, I’m grateful to have family and loved ones, I’m grateful to love and be loved, I’m grateful for the gift of music and lyrics, and so much more… What are you grateful for?
I also want to acknowledge that today is a very hard day for so many of our LGBTQ brothers, sisters, and siblings. Please know that you are NOT alone. Stay strong. Know that I love you. Know that you are valid exactly the way you are, wherever you are on your journey. Stay true, stay you. The Holidays will pass and one day you will be with a chosen family who loves you unconditionally.
If you made it this far, thank you for reading. – Ryan Cassata
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