Global Thanksgiving
I am told that this year American Muslims are ordering more halal (properly slaughtered) turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner–it’s another way of taking part in the life here. I teach Chinese history and keep an eye on China. Thanksgiving in China isn’t necessarily a visiting American’s holiday; Chinese friends say they celebrate, too. Knowing that many Chinese acknowledge the Christmas holiday, at least in order to respect American or Western friends, I’m looking for evidence of Thanksgiving celebrations there, other than those meals offered in upscale western-style hotels in the major cities. Or an occasional Thanksgiving Day card. Or individual American families or company groups that celebrate. I think Thanksgiving awareness (at least the American holiday) has more to do with acquaintance with Americans and respect for the major holiday Thanksgiving is for us, so it doesn’t influence most Chinese at all. In the same way most Americans would know little about the fall harvest festival (new moon and all that) or other extremely important celebrations in China. As the U. S. and China get more involved with each other, there will be more reasons to wonder about questions like Thanksgiving. Well, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!