November 20, 1997
Contact: Louise Snider, 619/594-5204
Thanksgiving Story Ideas--About Pilgrims, Indians, Eaters, and Shoppers
Eve Kornfeld, professor of history at SDSU, says that having a single Thanksgiving day is relatively recent (1898) from a historical point of view. The Puritans had many days of giving thanks to God alternating with days of fasting; since they believed in giving thanks and repenting. Call Dr. Kornfeld at 594-6595.
Linda Parker, chair of SDSU’s American Indian studies department, is dismayed at the plays about Pilgrims and Indians that are still being performed in San Diego elementary schools. They perpetuate stereotypes, says Dr. Parker. Call her at 594-6991.
Alan Kilpatrick, associate professor of American Indian studies at SDSU, says Indian culture is more than buckskins and tepees. Indians have made enormous contributions to our society, says Dr. Kilpatrick, including such foods as potatoes, tomatoes, and chocolate (What would we do without chocolate?). Call him at 594-1679 (o) or 229-0846 (h).
Denise Wilfley, director of SDSU’s Center for Eating and Weight Disorders, has advice for those indulging in too much of a good thing. Dr. Wilfley is an authority on binge eating. Call her at 594-3676.
Ronald Stampfl, professor of marketing at SDSU, is an authority on retailing and consumer spending, who has some thoughts about the buying frenzy that follows the feeding frenzy. It’s the biggest day in number of shoppers, but not in sales, says Dr. Stampfl. Call him at 594-4306 (o) or 486-3583 (h).