Thanksgiving is traditionally my least favorite holiday. I’m not too stoked on celebrating the massive genocide of turkeys (although really, there’s a massive animal genocide every day of every week of every month of every year as long as factory farms remain open) or spreading cheer for some jerks that showed up on a big boat and stole land from people that had been living on it forever.
However, I’ve chosen to reclaim the holiday in the name of actually being thankful for what I have, giving to those who don’t, and spending my time with people in my life that I care about as well as geography will allow. (One downfall of having traveled so much is having good friends everywhere.) I’m lucky that I’m an adult with the ability to separate myself from uncomfortable family gatherings to celebrate today with less awkward company, but I know not all of you Equalizers are so fortunate, so…here are some tips on surviving family fun times:
1. Be thankful! Despite all of the crap that the universe throws at us at times, it also gives us a lot of goodness. Take today to remember the good things, and if it’s hard to come up with any, think harder.
2. Eat healthy! It’s so tempting to take an extra slice or two of your aunt’s pie or another helping of gravy-laden potatoes, but your body and mind will be eternally grateful to you if you keep the gluttony to a minimum. Just remember, whatever you don’t eat today, you get to eat for leftovers tomorrow! Mmmm!
3. Speak your truth! As much as you’re able (I know some of you might be stuck in situations where you have to hide your true selves to keep a roof over your head, unfortunately), speak up if someone says something messed up. Your tea partying relatives think they can run their mouths, but guess what? You can also run yours! Just remember to keep it diplomatic - just like you don’t like to be attacked or hated for your opinions, neither do they. It might make dinner even more awkward, but isn’t it fun to watch your extended family squirm when you tell them about your queer partner or your activism work? ;)
Of course, the number one priority for today…enjoy yourself! Just because something has had a tradition of sucking in the past doesn’t mean it always has to be that way, and if it’s usually great, make it even better.
Happy Thanksgiving, EQ-ties!
Alex
P.S. If you want to know more about why you should eschew turkey and ham on your dinner table, check out http://www.earthlings.com.
