One aspect of the culture shock experienced by many Caribbean people migrating to the USA is realizing that the much-hyped Thanksgiving holiday isn’t really about giving thanks. There is no official Thanksgiving Day in the Caribbean, but many churches celebrate Harvest Day on their annual calendar. On that day, special thanks and offerings—mostly agricultural products—are presented to the Lord for His blessings.
But in America, Thanksgiving Day, which originated in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts, when pilgrims from England celebrated a successful harvest after a difficult first year, has become more of a big, sumptuous feast than a dedicated day of giving God thanks.
As one Caribbean American resident in Lauderhill put it when talking about Thanksgiving greetings: “I’m uncertain if the greetings I should offer on Thanksgiving Day should be ‘Happy Thanksgiving Day’ or ‘Happy Thanksgiving dinner.’”
While most Caribbean Americans have absorbed elements of American culture and commemorate Thanksgiving Day—including the traditional feast—it’s almost certain that in Caribbean American homes, family members will still pause to give thanks for the blessings they’ve received throughout the year.
This year, particularly for Jamaican Americans, emotions will be mixed as people dig into their turkey and other culinary delights. As they eat, their thoughts will likely be with fellow Jamaicans back home who are struggling to find food, shelter, water, and electricity following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa last month.
It may not seem, at first glance, that there’s much to give thanks for, but despite the hardships faced in western Jamaica, thousands of people are alive—and where there is life, there is hope.
Thanks must be given that the hurricane, as strong as it was with its 195 mph winds, did not take more lives than the 45 reported so far. Considering the images of widespread destruction across many Jamaican communities, it is a miracle more people were not killed during the storm.
This Thanksgiving Day, there is real reason for families gathered around the dinner table to pause and give thanks for life—the blessing of life, which far outweighs the material things people often cling to, sometimes even at the cost of relationships. Hurricane Melissa destroyed or severely damaged many prized possessions: sturdy, attractive homes; expensive furniture and appliances; late-model cars; business properties; and cherished personal items. But when people survive a catastrophic natural disaster like Hurricane Melissa, they are reminded of how precious life is—and how unimportant the things we fight to accumulate truly are. Of course, people will need to replace what they’ve lost, but hopefully they do so with humility, practicality, and gratitude.
Thanks must also be given that members of the Jamaican diaspora in the U.S., fortunate to be earning an income, are in a position to assist hurricane victims in meaningful ways. In Jamaica’s current situation, even what may seem like a small donation is considered significant.
Thanks must be given not only for the compassion and kindness shown by Jamaican Americans who rushed to support their homeland, but also for the generosity of other Caribbean Americans and people across the U.S. and beyond who have stepped up to help. And while giving thanks, prayers are also needed that this compassion and kindness will continue. Jamaica will need support from the international community for some time.
Thanks must also be offered for the fact that Kingston—the center of Jamaica’s business, industrial, and financial activity—was not significantly affected by the hurricane. This allows for more efficient coordination and management of relief efforts for the hardest-hit areas.
Yes, Thanksgiving Day, as it has been for several hundred years in America, will be marked by a sumptuous dinner for most families. But hopefully, families will pause to give thanks—not only for the food but for the blessing of sharing a meal with loved ones.
Challenging events like devastating hurricanes, along with the everyday setbacks people face, underscore the importance of life and the comfort of strong family ties and caring friends.
For those unsure whether to say “Happy Thanksgiving Day” or “Happy Thanksgiving dinner,” both greetings are perfectly appropriate.
To all our readers: Have a Happy Thanksgiving Day with family and friends, and enjoy a warm, happy Thanksgiving dinner.
