This article is a personal reflection on the historical, religious and cultural significance of Thanksgiving Day for Americans and Vietnamese diaspora.
I - HISTORICAL AND RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE OF THANKSGIVING DAY
Back in time, the first immigrants to the new land lived in Plymount Colony, then a colony of the British Empire (now a city in the State of Massachusetts). They gathered for the Thanksgiving of God for a harvest of flowers The color is good, after a cold and hungry winter. In that year, Governor William Bradford announced "A Day of Thanksgiving" and hosted Celebration with all Aboriginal colonial peoples as well as immigration. At first, the celebration of Thanksgiving was locality and individuality separately, not at any certain time.
After the revolution against the colonial regime of the British Empire The first Thanksgivings was adopted by President George Washington's announcement was November 26, 1789. By the time of President Abraham Lincoln, in 1863, set Thanksgiving as Thursday at the end of November. But under President Roosevelt, in the from 1939 to 1941, Thanksgiving Day was declared the Thursday of the third week of November. In fact, there is still no consensus. Because some states still celebrate Thanksgiving Day on different days. It wasn't until 1941 that the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution in 1941 decreeing that Thanksgiving should fall on the fourth Thursday of November.
And today, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated by the American people through beliefs, religions and warm family and friend gatherings playful, during dinners with Turkey chicken, the traditional dish are never lacking in American Thanksgiving.
II - CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THANKSGIVING DAY
Although Thankgiving Day is an American Thanksgiving holiday, have a more or less widespread effect on some people in many other countries in the world; especially those who have the opportunity to access and be affected by enjoying the multicultural culture in the United States.
Beyond the meaning of belief, religion was originally to give thanks God gives a good harvest, and the meaning of the times On this occasion, the American people also want to express their faith in providence. of God, helping the United States to have a rich place and a place to live. a superpower like today... seem to have permeated the life of the commune association, to form a culture of "please" and "gratitude".
The "culture of please" seems to be quite deeply ingrained the American mind, expressed in practical action, is ready sharing happiness with others in the country as well as with all people other races on this planet. The smallest expression is every holiday Every Thanksgiving Americans usually have specific jobs, not only to those who do favor to me, but also to those who are in need, as strange as "homeless", "homeless, dead without burial". A bigger indication is that the American people seem to be in the lead on charity and charity work, such as donations to war victims, Natural disasters and storms happen anywhere in the world.
Writing here, we naturally recall the "U.S. aid" items for millions of Vietnamese people migrated from the North to the South after the Geneva 1954 divided the country in two. The writer has a faint feeling Somewhere the special aroma comes from boxes of clothes and school supplies such as pen and paper or cartons of butter and milk powder that the American people collect and send to migrants to the South to take refuge from communists. These special fragrances people write that I have met again every time I go into shopping centers (Shopping Centers) At that time, the writer was only 9 years old and followed his mother to emigrate to the South to find Father is participating in the resistance war against France in the workers' movement struggle for labor rights at Hon Quan rubber plantation, Quan Loi (*). Since then, the writer has learned that the "culture of please" of the Americans has become a tradition and continues to spread to victims of wars, natural disasters, epidemics everywhere...
The "culture of gratitude" is expressed through the words "Thank you" universal; has become the first saying in the communication of the Chinese people period. From a small to big thing, everyone is "thanked". For example, opening a door to allow a person to enter in front of a store or a public places, or instructions to help a lost person... Always be loved by him Thank you sincerely, naturally as a reflex (thank you) or replace thank you with a compliment to Mr. or Mrs. "Too kind" or "You're appreciate". Those who are thanked often express their humility with "you're welcome" (he or she deserves such help), just like a Vietnamese person's "thank you" is often replied with "don't dare".
Another cultural significance is that "Thanksgiving Day" has become a festive day and an opportunity to shop for gifts for the people of the United States expressing concentration on a traditional day after Thanksgiving day called "Black Friday". On this "Black Friday", many people have the habit of rushing to stand in line to buy clothes or goods. Because this day is the "Big sale" day with many items being discounted much compared to the original price.... Of course here is also one of the harvests of the year for U.S. entrepreneurs on major holidays such as the Christmas season in December following Thanksgiving Day every year.
III - THANKSGIVING DAY WITH VIETNAMESE EXILES IN THE UNITED STATES
There is a Vietnamese proverb "Join the family according to the custom, the river according to the song", so generations of Vietnamese exiles, after more than 44 years of settling in the country This freedom department must have been acquainted with the customs and customs of the the peculiarities of the multiracial culture and the mainstream activities of the people of the United States, of the country who have been carrying themselves and generations descendants in the future. Not only passively getting acquainted, Vietnamese compatriots Nam living in this country also gradually actively participates and integrates into the the main flow of life. Active participation and inclusion in all fields cultural, social, economic, political, military activities... With the prominent Vietnamese-American faces are proud, in all areas activities and social life, have glorified the Vietnamese nation and are the pride of shared about the contributions of an ethnic minority to prosperity of the United States, where oil wants not only the Vietnamese and these generations of descendants have chosen to be the second homeland after the Motherland Vietnam, is the second Fatherland after the Fatherland of Vietnam.
In that spirit and direction, on the occasion of Thanksgiving annually, in the Vietnamese Community of Houston and the surrounding area, in the past have also had jobs that are "arbitrarily joined", like organizing Thanksgiving celebrations in the family. Community Organizations, charitable organizations and Vietnamese media agencies, have also owned independently or cooperate with government agencies and charitable organizations to organize meals for the homeless living homeless. A Realistic Image contrast in a country considered the richest in the world have hurt the consciences of many Americans...
All the above has been done and is about to be done by the Community, of charitable associations and media agencies, in short-sightedness, are together express a common meaning of "Thank God, thank you and thank life". One The meaning is extended from the Thanksgiving meaning of the traditional holiday annually of the people of the United States. An extension of meaning that remains unified on the logic of theistic belief.
(*) Because my father was a monk (Teacher Tien) who spoke and wrote fluently in French, he had previously worked in the area for the Viet Minh (CS in disguise) at the French Secret Service in Nam Dinh (Second Division: 2er Bureau) with the intention of giving independence to the nation like many Vietnamese patriots at the same time (Others with the goal of the Communist Party's resistance against the French as a "pseudo-nation" to robbing the government, implementing communism, opening up the frontiers of the the new Russo-Chinese Red Empire as everyone knows). After being exposed, my father had to move to work as a latex scraper at the high-rise plantation in Hon Quan, Quan Loi (Binh Long, An Loc during the war) Assigned to lead protests and strikes for rights labor for workers. After meeting my father again, my mother convinced him left Cao Xu plantation to live in Bau Trai Long An migrant camp for a time for a short time, before bringing his family to Buon Me Thuot to live in the fields another migrant camp, so she received many gifts "US National Congress support" is that.
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