by MARGARET KIMBERLEY
“The Mayflower’s cultural heirs are programmed to find glory in their own depravity, and savagery in their most helpless victims, who can only redeem themselves by accepting the inherent goodness of white Americans.” – Glen Ford
“Most white Americans can only think of themselves and their country as the pinnacle of enlightenment and civilization.”
In 2003 my Black Agenda Report colleague Glen Ford wrote “The End of American Thanksgivings: A Cause for Universal Rejoicings,“ a brilliant piece of commentary which cast a spotlight on the horror which inspired the holiday that came to be known as Thanksgiving. Mr. Ford documented the genocide visited upon the original inhabitants of this country which is inextricably intertwined with the Thanksgiving myth that is so revered by most Americans. The facts that he presented are easily known to anyone who cares to seek them out. The celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday is not only a celebration of slaughter but it is used to this very day to keep all Americans secure in their love of white supremacy.
Every November Black Agenda Report re-posts Ford’s column and I link to it on my blog, Facebook or Twitter. This year my twitter post attracted some unusual attention. On that hallowed fourth Thursday of November, I began receiving missives like these.
“then leave the fucking country if you hate it so much. But leave my Thanksgiving alone…. “
“hey moron..if america is soo racist..leave!!i will gladly help you pack”
“Yep, you’re a good little puppet for black racists teaching hate–you do not punish the children for the sins of the father “
“LEAVE THE COUNTRY, I hear things are nice in Africa!”
“Good, then go to work today.”
“suck it”
“LEAVE THE COUNTRY, I hear things are nice in Africa!”
“Then get the fuck out”
“WHAT??? You can’t be serious or is this because you’re black and see through a single scope?”
“Margaret Kimberley, you have some real problems. Did U speak 2 your doctor & pastor about your hatred 4 anyone not black?”
“JUST ANOTHER NIGGA NUTJOB WHO HAYES [sic] AMERICA.I GOT YOUR BLACK AGENDA RIGHT HERE BITCH”
I could go on, but by now you surely get the point. I was “flamed,” targeted on the Internet by someone who disagrees with me and took the time to exhort others to reach out and touch me with their mutual hatred. After a few minutes of investigation I discovered that a right wing website highlighted twitter posts which criticized the Thanksgiving celebration. (The site shall remain nameless because I do not want to give it undeserved attention.)
“Can we give the race card a rest for just one day? Liberals’ answer: Hell, no! While many Americans try to set politics aside for the Thanksgiving holiday, it’s too much to ask of a vocal group of Twitter users who are using the day to slam America:”
The writer of those words and his or her acolytes probably never bothered to read Glen Ford’s words. Not that it would have mattered much if they had. The knowledge that someone called their country and by extension themselves racist, was too much for their fragile minds to bear. Of course the irony is that they all proved Ford right.
Black Agenda Report for more