The truth about Thanksgiving

Re “Give the little ones a break,” editorial, Nov. 26

Your editorial is part of the problem, not the solution.

You wrote, “Claremont parents angry about the pageant can be forgiven for wanting their children to understand the real story of North America’s colonization and conquest, but kindergarten might be a trifle early for the full grisly truth.”

“Forgiven” for wanting their children and others to know the truth? Wow. Are you arguing that there is no age-appropriate way of teaching young children historical truth, and that therefore half-truths masquerading as fun are proper substitutes?

Your view that complaining parents are “oversensitive” insults them, us Indians and all Americans who want our children to understand history.

We’re lucky to live in a nation where we can observe our past without being shackled to it. Presenting the original Thanksgiving in its ironic context can be accomplished without harming 5-year-olds, without making anybody feel guilty and without stealing anybody’s fun.

Timothy Lange

Los Angeles

The writer is a member of the Seminole tribe.

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Re “Hold the turkey, please,” Nov. 27

Cheers to The Times for giving a voice to vegans. Those of us who sit down to a vegan feast on Thanksgiving do not feel at all deprived by the absence of a dead turkey on the table. We feel twice as thankful for our array of colorful, delicious and healthful food as we ever did in our meat-eating days.

Many vegans are celebrating the day not only happily and compassionately but prayerfully: Present at the Animal Acres celebration were Quakers who see animals as encompassed in our commitment to peace.

Gracia Fay Ellwood

Ojai