The True History ThanksgivingBehind

By: Kavya Kartik News Co-Editor

Around this time of year, families across North America gather at their dinner table to feast on turkey and mashed potatoes and remember what they are thankful for; however, there is more to this idealized version of the holiday we all know and love. As children, we’ve learned that the friendly Indians welcomed the lost Pilgrims to coexist on their land. They had dinner, taught them the way of the land, and forfeited their land to these foreign people out of the goodness of their heart. This is the amicable story we are told every year around this time of year; however, it is time to face the true history of Thanksgiving.

In September 1620, the Mayflower transported 102 Pilgrims seeking religious freedom from Plymouth, England. After their 66-day journey, the Pilgrims settled across the Massachusetts Bay and began establishing a village at Plymouth. Here, they were met with the native people of this land, including members of the tribes of Abenaki, Pawtuxet, and Wampanoag. What many remember as the first Thanksgiving is the Great Dinner that these two groups shared with holidays are finally being appreciated as most days off for public schools are either Christian or Jewish holidays. This change coming in 2023 is a step in the direction of inclusivty as it is one of the largest and most celebrated Indian holidays. This change coming in 2023 is a step in the right direction towards inclusivity, so that American culture is reflective of all its citizens

The BestRecipeHoliday

By: Raina Desai Food Section Editor

Peppermint Bark Recipe Courtesy of Sara Welch If you are craving a chocolatey and peperminty dessert, this is the recipe for you!

PREP TIME: 5 minutes COOK

TIME: 10 minutes CHILL TIME: 30 minutes TOTAL TIME: 45 minutes

Amount: 16 servings

Ingredients: 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips or chopped semi sweet chocolate chips 16 ounces white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract 3/4 cup crushed candy canes each other after their first large corn harvest, but this story is interlaced with violence and oppression. The Wampanoag and the Pilgrims maintained an alliance for about 50 years; however, it was tainted by exploitation, the spread of disease, and colonial expansion, eventually leading to war.

History, as many are led to believe, does not actually start when the Europeans came to America but rather thousands of years before with the Native Americans. A few of the Wampanoags actually already knew who the Pilgrims were due to prior contact with Europeans, revealing the nature of their “alliance.” The story of the Mayflower and the harmonious sharing of cultures is a glorified story we like to tell to cover up the blood and violence Europeans have inflicted on the people they stole their land from. The version of Thanksgiving many of us like to believe does not address all these years of suffering of the native people of America, and although it is a holiday I personally have come to associate with gratitude and family, it’s crucial to recognize its true history.

Directions: Place the semisweet chocolate chips in a medium bowl and microwave for 30 second increments until melted. Stir until smooth. Spread the chocolate into a roughly 9x 13 rectangle on a piece of parchment paper. Place the chocolate in the fridge for 15 minutes to set. Place the white chocolate chips in a medium bowl and microwave for 30 second increments until melt- ed. Add the peppermint ex- tract and stir until smooth. Spread the white chocolate over the semi- sweet chocolate layer. Top with candy canes. Let harden in the fridge for about 20 minutes or until the choco- late is completely set. Remove from the fridge and let the bark sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Cut or break into pieces and serve. ENJOY!

2022-2023

Out of all the clubs offered here at RPS, there is a new one that truly stands out as unique and remarkable - The Dungeons and Dragons club. Upon walking into Mr. Foil’s room for the start of the meeting, many students rushed ahead of me to get into the classroom. I was almost confused; I’ll admit that I didn’t quite know much about the new D&D club, let alone the entire game process.

However, this changed when I walked in and was kindly approached by Katherine Guo ’23, who explained how D&D works. She said that D&D “is a tabletop roleplaying game where you(the player), the other characters(or players), and the Dungeon Master create a story together using your characters and actions that happen to the characters within the game. You also explore fantasy worlds and go on grand adventures.”