Fashion

Why I’m Not Celebrating Thanksgiving This Year

As an Indigenous person, I’ve long questioned what it meant for me to celebrate Thanksgiving. This year I decided to do something about it….

I have a confession to make—a dirty little secret that I can no longer keep a secret. I’m Indigenous and I’ve always celebrated Thanksgiving. There, I said it! If you’re wondering why this is such a big deal, know that Indigenous people have a very fraught relationship with Thanksgiving. Why? It’s no secret that Native American people long predated European settlers in North America, and the so-called “peaceful” dinner between the pilgrims and the Natives is one that has been greatly exaggerated. For many in the Indigenous community, the annual holiday actually serves as a harmful reminder of how their land was stolen from them during colonization, how many of their people were killed, and how their culture was almost entirely stripped from them. One can understand why Native people today don’t want to break bread and eat turkey: What, in fact, is there to be thankful for?

This year, however, I’m finally choosing not to be thankful, too.

Growing up on Nipissing First Nation—my traditional territory in northern Ontario, Canada—my family always celebrated Thanksgiving. My mom is one of 18 siblings, and our annual tradition would be to gather as a big, crazy, Ojibwe family for a Thanksgiving meal at our grandmother Leda’s house, which served as the meeting spot for the whole motley crew. Given the sheer volume of people, I remember often eating Thanksgiving dinner on the ground, sitting cross-legged among my many cousins (seats at the table are reserved for the elders, obviously—they also got first pass at the food). On the menu would be all the traditional Thanksgiving dishes: turkey, mashed potatoes, turnip, boiled carrots, huge pots of gravy. One year, my dad even cooked a 40-pound turkey for the entire family, a record. But there would always be some Indigenous flavor on tap, too: instead of dinner rolls, we had my auntie Joanie’s epic bannock. Moose meat pies were also omnipresent, though I never partook in that dish. (I’m a Native who doesn’t enjoy wild meat—a sin!).

Because Thanksgiving was something that our family always registered, I never thought twice about how ironic it was: a bunch of Indigenous people basically celebrating the history of their own suffering. Doubly ironic: When I grew older and moved to the U.S., my family, who followed the Canadian calendar and had celebrated the Thanksgiving in October, often had to re-do it for me when I came home in November. When I finally learned about the problematic history of Thanksgiving, the holiday had become so routine in our family that I didn’t bother to question it. Even after my grandmother Leda passed on, and our family stopped having these gigantic feasts—at some point, they just became impossible to organize—my parents, my sister, and I still continued celebrating it. It became a pattern, something we just did. It was mostly always about the food, because who doesn’t want to induce a Tryptophan coma? I still drool at the thought.

This year, however, I approached the holiday differently. For one, my family is in Canada while I’m in New York, so celebrating it with them would mean flying across the country—which no one should do this year. But COVID restrictions aside, something also changed in me this year: I realized that I actively don’t want to celebrate Thanksgiving. I’ve spent far too long being passive about things that I don’t feel right about.

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Fashion

Keke Palmer Saves The Day At Tina Knowles’ Book Event

In a scene that felt like something straight out of a movie, Keke Palmer became the evening’s hero at Tina Knowles’ book event in Los Angeles this past weekend. Just as Knowles was about to share insights from her new memoir, “Matriarch,” her strapless gown unexpectedly started slipping down. This moment could have turned awkward very quickly, but thanks to Palmer’s quick thinking and sense of humor, it became one of the night’s most memorable moments. As everyone held their breath, Palmer sprang into action, stepping in to help Knowles while keeping her calm.

A video that’s now trending on TikTok captures this incredible moment, showing Palmer supporting Knowles and catching her dress just in time. With the crowd still in shock, Palmer lightened the mood with a funny comment that turned their gasps into laughter. She joked, “They were acting like it was a whole murder show!” before referring to the teleprompter as if it were demanding help. This incident showcased Palmer’s natural talent for handling tricky situations with grace and humor. Knowles, ever so elegant, adjusted her gown and smiled, showing why she’s known as a fashion icon.

Look this up: Tina Knowles Speaks Out About The Heartbreaking Rumors Surrounding Beyoncé’s First Pregnancy

After the mishap, Palmer expertly shifted the focus back to the book, quipping, “They was gonna give me a heart attack,” and then seamlessly transitioned back to discussing “Matriarch.” Her blend of care for Knowles and comedic timing saved the day. This was about fixing a wardrobe malfunction and was a shining example of how to handle unexpected moments with laughter and warmth. In an industry where things often go wrong, Keke Palmer proved that sometimes, a little kindness and quick thinking can turn a potential disaster into a highlight that everyone remembers.

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Fashion

Cardi B’s $60K Birkin Bag Gets The ‘Mommy Treatment’ As Daughter Unleashes Her Creativity

In a moment of relatable frustration, Cardi B took to Instagram to share a funny yet surprising story about her expensive $60,000 Birkin bag, one of her favorite items from her luxury collection. Known for her bold personality and honest social media posts, Cardi revealed that one of her daughters had turned the fancy purse into a makeshift canvas, drawing a heart on it without permission. “Look what my daughter did to my purse,” Cardi said dramatically in her Instagram Story, showing off the iconic bag to her followers. “I literally spent $60,000 on this purse,” she exclaimed, still amazed by the unexpected ‘artwork’ from her little girl.

Although she was frustrated, the mom of three tried to take it all in stride, at least for the moment. Cardi values her hard-earned luxury items, especially her growing collection of high end bags. However, as any parent knows, kids have a skill for creating chaos even in the most cherished parts of life. For Cardi, that chaos includes her high-priced accessories. The post quickly gained attention online, with fans sympathizing with Cardi’s situation. Many found humor in the irony of the event, while others offered support, pointing out that such moments are just part of the unpredictable journey of parenthood. Cardi has previously emphasized that family is her top priority, even if it means dealing with some messiness.

Check out this article: Offset Calls For Peace As He Pursues Truce With Cardi B’s Fans After Drama

But Cardi’s frustration didn’t stop there. She later took to Twitter to respond to comments made by Kanye West regarding her staying power in the spotlight. While she didn’t mention him directly, her tweet, “7 years 1 album… STILL being a topic and STILL being asked about my music!!!” sent a clear message. She confidently asserted her spot in the entertainment world, clarifying that her fans, known as “The Brim,” are not going anywhere. In the end, whether it’s a damaged Birkin bag or dealing with critics, Cardi B repeatedly shows that she remains unfazed by the ups and downs of fame, always staying true to herself and her family.

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