Assistant Editor's Log: Issue 4

Let's Give Thanks and Just Give

By Auburn Mann

     It's nearing that oh so special time of year. That's right---the Thanksgiving holiday is in sight. This is a holiday where many enjoy the company of close family and friends, the second and third helpings of savory recipes of the designated cooks, as well as the Thanksgiving Day entertainment, especially the annual parades and football games.  Being celebrated on the 25^th of November this year, Thanksgiving is considered by many to be considered the gateway to Hanukah, Christmas, Kwanza, and New Year's Day.

    Moreover, as indicated in its name: Thanksgiving, thus, sending a message to give thanks. This meaning aligns perfectly, with where this holiday is situated on the American calendar, since it lies right before the years main series of holidays, it naturally tends to set people in a positive and also reflective mood. The reflection can occur in varying capacities, whether it's about their approach towards upcoming Christmas sales, the what food and ingredients to stock up on, some even begin to contemplate on how  their year has gone , and what they could have done differently or if they even met their resolutions set 11 months prior. Generally, however, many utilize most of this introspective time t reflect on what they are truly grateful for. This could be their home that is their shelter and place of solitude. They could be truly thankful for their family and good friends. They could be energized and joyful from a recent promotion, or be glad to be alive and well, so they are able to celebrate another holiday season.

   For many of us college students here at Bowie State, we share these reasons to be thankful as well as many others unique to the collegiate experience. Many of us are so excited that the semester is more than half way through. With midterms behind us we are looking forward to enjoying (hopefully without much more academic stress) the amenities this season entails. For many campus residents, since this is the first technical break since Labor Day, this might be your first time in a while traveling home to see your family and loved ones. All of us are probably in drooling anticipation for the succulent turkey, surrounded by the side dishes of, intricate stuffing mixes, sweet and mashed potatoes with gravy, a helping of collard greens, served with the supplementary dinner rolls, and to round it off the typical pie dessert (whether apple, pumpkin, or sweet potato), or some deviations depending on your family's traditions. This is plenty to be thankful for.

     On the other hand, one thing that must be kept in recollection is the other meaning that is often derived from the term: Thanksgiving. It also, can be interpreted in response to its compound word status, as being a time for offering and expressing thanks, as well as a time for giving in general. Specifically, to those who have been dealt a less fortunate case. Although, many of us are blessed, there are also many more that are not as fortunate this holiday season. Many, are barely holding on to their means of income, and are unable to successfully provide for themselves or family even close to such a Thanksgiving I just described. Some are simply trying to maintain their place of residence and other necessities, if they haven't had that snatched from under them. Some who are currently experiencing resembling situations may even be your classmates. So this Thanksgiving, and the remainder of the holiday season, yes, definitely try to be grateful for what you do have, but also do what you can to help make this season a comfortable and happy one for your neighbor, who might not share your financial circumstance, as well. This could mean, serving at an area soup kitchen or homeless shelter, inviting a struggling family that you know over to your home for Thanksgiving dinner. This could even be exercised in the capacity of simply participating in a local food drive or donating to a charitable organization here at school, or through your church or some institution of community outreach and uplift. By this, we can satisfy both components of the holiday: by expressing our thankfulness and giving back some of what we might be thankful for.