Chapter 1: Challenging Thanksgiving Norms

This Thanksgiving season, consider how your out-of-office (OOO) message can ignite conversations around allyship and social change.

As a professional in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), I strive to incorporate education and awareness into all my efforts. This includes my OOO messages during the Thanksgiving period. I firmly believe that these messages can serve as powerful tools for initiating dialogue when used to share information, raise awareness, and promote allyship. The complex history of Thanksgiving is often overlooked, making it an important topic for discussion.

To illustrate this, I want to share the OOO message I've utilized for several years. It’s straightforward yet impactful, and it encourages proactive engagement—something that is often missing in typical OOO messages.

As an immigrant Latina, I don't personally celebrate Thanksgiving. This distinctly North American holiday has always left me perplexed. I believe it’s crucial to recognize that Thanksgiving needs to be decolonized and reimagined on a foundation of truth and equity. Nevertheless, I appreciate that for many, this day is centered around community, food, and gratitude.

From my perspective, even if I don't entirely grasp its significance, I enjoy the festive atmosphere and the effort many put into gathering with family and friends. It’s heartening to see people making the effort to travel, cook, and engage in celebrations that occur only once a year.

As a DEI advocate, however, I feel compelled to reflect on what Thanksgiving truly signifies—a day of mourning for many Indigenous peoples. This day serves as a reminder to raise awareness about the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Native American and Indigenous communities. For me, Thanksgiving is not just a celebration, but an opportunity to educate others about these critical issues.

Thanksgiving is genuinely a time for reflection and mourning, yet many are unaware of its true implications. Thus, I leverage my voice, platform, and available resources to spread awareness. I aim to encourage others to embrace active and intentional allyship through thoughtfully crafted OOO messages.

This Thanksgiving, rather than opting for a generic OOO that may go unnoticed, I encourage you to utilize your voice and resources to foster awareness and engage in meaningful allyship. Here’s a template to help you get started:

Hi, thank you for your email.

I’m currently out of the office for the long weekend and will be checking emails infrequently.

As we take this time for rest and community, I invite you to spend a few moments learning about the history and significance of Thanksgiving. Here are a few resources to help you start:

• Explore the Indigenous History of Thanksgiving.
• Understand why this day is a Day of Mourning for many.
• Recognize that the fight for justice continues today for many Indigenous communities.
• If you have school-aged children, advocate for a more inclusive and truthful curriculum.
• Learn about the land you occupy.
• Contribute to a non-profit or charity.
• Support Native American and Indigenous businesses.
• Read works by Native American and Indigenous authors.
• Follow and amplify Indigenous voices.
• Be mindful of language that may perpetuate bias or racism against Native American and Indigenous peoples.

I appreciate you all.

Talk soon,

Remember, allyship is a continuous journey, one that requires ongoing commitment and effort. We cannot simply pause our advocacy or set aside our intentions until it’s more convenient.

We must consistently utilize our voices to uplift those who may lack the platform, privilege, or resources to share their stories.

Feel free to adapt my template (just be sure to give me credit), and inspire others to do the same. I look forward to hearing about your experiences!

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Chapter 2: Understanding Thanksgiving Beyond Tradition

This segment will delve into the deeper meanings surrounding Thanksgiving, focusing on historical context and the importance of acknowledgment.

The first video titled "Truth Or Tradition | Passion For Truth Ministries | Is Christmas Pagan?" explores the cultural implications of holiday traditions and their origins.

The second video, "The True, the Good and the Beautiful: A Lesson in Human Flourishing," discusses the importance of understanding our cultural practices and their impact on human development.