TIME For Thanks: Chelsea Manning

What Is Chelsea Manning Thankful For This Thanksgiving?
In this undated file photo provided by the U.S. Army, Pvt. Chelsea Manning, who was previously known as Bradley Manning, poses for a photo wearing a wig and lipstick. Manning decided to announce that she wanted to live as a woman the day after sentencing because a military prison said publicly it would not provide hormone treatment, her attorney said Monday, Aug. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/U.S. Army, File)
In this undated file photo provided by the U.S. Army, Pvt. Chelsea Manning, who was previously known as Bradley Manning, poses for a photo wearing a wig and lipstick. Manning decided to announce that she wanted to live as a woman the day after sentencing because a military prison said publicly it would not provide hormone treatment, her attorney said Monday, Aug. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/U.S. Army, File)

I’m usually hesitant to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. After all, the Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony systematically terrorized and slaughtered the very same Pequot tribe that assisted the first English refugees to arrive at Plymouth Rock. So, perhaps ironically, I’m thankful that I know that, and I’m also thankful that there are people who seek out, and usually find, such truths. I’m thankful for people who, even surrounded by millions of Americans eating turkey during regularly scheduled commercial breaks in the Green Bay and Detroit football game; who, despite having been taught, often as early as five and six years old, that the “helpful natives” selflessly assisted the “poor helpless Pilgrims” and lived happily ever after, dare to ask probing, even dangerous, questions.

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