The Harrowing Thanksgiving

This time of year, I am usually thrilled to see trees change colour and enjoy the fresh chill in the air, knowing that winter is coming. Unfortunately, fall also brings a depressing period with it, Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is a very tough holiday for me and many vegans. Not only is it sad that we (Americans) celebrate stealing the Native Americans' land and consequential genocide under the guise of friendship and togetherness, millions of turkeys are killed under the banner of "Tradition." While I often hear the argument that this is a time of year to celebrate the family, I am not swayed in my distaste for this terrible holiday.

It is always difficult for me to continuously turn down invitations to family events and feasts, as this is the one time I refuse to back down, to the irk of my husband. While the tradition is meant to encourage love and togetherness, I find it seriously lacks compassion.

Every year, over 45 million turkeys are killed for Thanksgiving alone. Read that again.

Turkeys are awesome animals. They are huge, beautiful creatures that can fly up to 55 miles per hour and can live up to 10 years. Unfortunately, their life is cut short to an average of 5 to 6 months old, to be killed and presented as a centerpiece on some family's table. Personally, I find the thought of an entire dead, stuffed carcass on the table revolting and can't imagine attempting to eat after seeing said animal carved up in front of me.

The Tradition

The original tradition behind Thanksgiving is to celebrate the previous harvest and is celebrated in the United States and Canada under that name. It was also a religious event, where church patrons would thank their god for, time and time again, a good harvest. People would gather, pray, and give thanks. While there is a lot of speculation of who started the tradition, its origins are not known.

It is easy to see where the idea came from though. Celebrated during the end of summer, when the harvest is complete, it makes sense that people would thank their gods and Mother Earth for the plentiful bounty which would then keep them alive through the winter.

In the United States, President Washington proclaimed the first thanksgiving nation-wide in 1789. Interestingly, the date would vary yearly, and by state, until President Lincoln attempted to set the last Thursday of November as the date nationwide, to promote unity between the North and the South. The date was not set until after Reconstruction, but the purpose remained the same. In 1941, President Roosevelt changed the date to the fourth Thursday of the month, which stands currently.

In 1963, President Kennedy unofficially pardoned a turkey from slaughter, which then became permanent tradition in 1989.

The Meal

The Thanksgiving meal typically has an abundance of seasonal foods such as squash, cranberries, sweet potato, and pumpkin pie. Obviously turkey is the main focus of the meal, but why?

Historically speaking, turkey was an animal that was less necessary for survival. For instance, a cow was much more valuable alive than a turkey because it provided more for the family alive than dead. Through cultural acceptance and accessibility, the turkey remains the centerpiece. With their size and affordability, it is easy to understand why this bird continued to hold prominence on the table. Originally, turkey was the main course during Christmas, but today is generally replaced with ham after rich families made the switch in the 19th century to wild game.

But no longer do we suffer from the difficult times of raising one's own food. With the convenience of supermarkets, prepared, even pre-stuffed birds, and the over-abundance of cheap, processed food currently available, the desire for turkey easily outweighs the need for a filling meal. Eating a turkey for a meal is no longer a necessity of life, but a subconscious choice ingrained in our society and culture.

With over 300 million Americans, most of whom consume animal products and many of whom can afford to purchase a turkey, it's no wonder so many are slaughtered this time of year. As I mentioned before, over 45 million turkey are slaughter for our day of thanks. But where do they come from? Beyond the clean, packaged bird in the store, there is a huge disconnect people have with this bird at the center of their table.

The Turkeys

Although many turn a blind eye to the horrors of factory farming and the meat and dairy industry, they exist. These barely regulated factories are the main source of animals for food, including turkeys. It is very difficult to get a turkey that lived peacefully and was not pumped full of growth hormones to be ready for the holiday. And you definitely are not going to find a healthy, happy turkey in your local supermarket. Much less one that is over one years old.

Generally, around 300 million turkeys are raised for food annually. That is a lot of turkey and in the majority of cases they do not have a lot of space. Crammed into small restrictive cages that are filled with turkeys until they can not fit anymore, they are pumped with growth hormones to encourage massive growth during their short lives. Many of these turkey are crippled by their own weight, not given the proper time to mature naturally. Sadly, these turkeys have little to no room to move and are de-billed in order to prevent them from pecking each other to death. This process of clipping off their beaks is extremely painful and, of course, is done without any anesthetics.

The slaughter is inhumane to say the least. The turkeys that survive the cramped spaces and extremely common illnesses (hence more antibiotics) are hung upside down and dragged through a "stun tank" which is used to knock out the turkeys. Many of them avoid the tank and are fully conscious when their throats are slit.

A Vegan Tradition

If I could have any influence on your holiday season, I would hope that it would be to spread compassion. Spend time with your family and loved ones, and enjoy a delicious meal that is filling for the body and the soul. Enjoy food without harming others. Spread love and compassion to those that you may not usually consider. Or at the very, very least, don't look down on or judge those who have a difficult time with a holiday nicknamed "Turkey Day."

But no matter who you are, Happy Holidays!

Spread love, spread compassion, and enjoy family and friends.