Padma Lakshmi thinks it is time to have a fuller portrait of Thanksgiving, exclusive

While people gather for Thanksgiving, Padma Lakshmi explores the American holiday in her Hulu show Taste the Nation: Holiday Edition. Beyond the bountiful table, Lakshmi seeks to tell the story that isn’t often served with the traditional food. For her, the Thanksgiving holiday needs to have a fuller portrait beyond the stories in the history books.

The old notion regarding history is that the stories are told by those who have achieved the victory. While the history books may tell one point of view of a particular account, that broad brush of a story might push aside the underrepresented.

In the Thanksgiving episode of Taste the Nation: Holiday Edition, “Truth and Turkey Tale,” Lakshmi speaks to the members of the Wampanoag Nation. While the picturesque Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod locale might conjure thoughts of old school narratives, this episode seeks to paint a different picture.

From the food on the table to the language used, Lakshmi implores people to think before they consume a tale without questioning. In some ways, the table can be the locale to feast on a new perspective with more flavor.

What does Padma Lakshmi implore people to consider about the Thanksgiving holiday?

During a recent conversation with FoodSided for Taste the Nation: Holiday Edition, Lakshmi shared her thoughts on this particular episode. Although she did not want to use the term “discover” a story not told in the common history books, Lakshmi does believe that it is time to see a bigger picture beyond the traditional pilgrim tale.

Lakshmi believes that it is “important to look at history from as many angles as possible and to check multiple sources.” Since there “has only been one side of the Thanksgiving story told,” people are not appreciating the whole picture. While Lincoln decreed the Thanksgiving holiday after the Civil War, the reality is that a whole community has been erased from that story.

While Lakshmi uses the term “mythology story” for the holiday, she urges others to see the full portrait of Thanksgiving. Since only side of the story has been told, it is time to hear from all the people. Once that complete picture is better understood, the celebration and the table become more complete.

Since food is often a way to introduce others to tradition and ritual, that table can be the vehicle to spark the conversational change. Passing that food around the table can be spark of change. Those differences can disappear and the commonalities can take over.

As people gather around the holiday table, Lakshmi offers a thoughtful statement to consider. She wishes everyone “peace and harmony.” That “peace of mind and peace of spirit” after a “collective profound and difficult experience” is a sentiment that everyone can appreciate.

Take a moment to watch Padma Lakshmi on Taste the Nation: Holiday Edition, “Truth and Turkey Tale” on Hulu and be open to a fuller portrait of Thanksgiving. There is always space at the table for everyone.