This year’s Thanksgiving has a special meaning
Falling during the raging pandemic of Covid-19
In the last nine months, we have learned the value
of people who were heretofore largely unseen

Most of these people are lowest paid workers
Toiling in obscurity without much recognition
Most of them happen to be people of color
Who face abject and systemic discrimination

I am thankful and grateful to these essential workers
For serving us dutifully during the pandemic,
putting their lives on the line, day in and day out
The risk to them is real, not just academic

Unlike higher paid knowledge workers,
they cannot work from home
Their workplace is at the frontlines,
no chance to isolate in a sanitary biodome

Their children have dreams just like our kids do
Sadly, many of their dreams remain just dreams
It is a shame that a rich country like ours
chooses not to hear their silent screams

I hope we, as a society, recognize their value,
pay them living wage and benefits
Thereby enabling them to live in dignity
To do otherwise means we are hypocrites!

God bless these brave, unselfish and exploited souls.

Amen.