Without watching the video, I assume that this is a story because it is a private school (probably predominantly White) that served a stereotypical "Black" meal for Black History Month.
However, the meal itself is a historical southern Black meal.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Okay, I draw the line at food being racist. I'm white and I love fried chicken, corn bread, colored greens and watermelon! I like Aunt Jemima and Mrs. Butterworth syrup too, those packages could be considered racist. Not a big fan of Uncle Ben's but hey that could be racist.
I'll give you the "N" word and thrown in some others like "picaninny". "nappy headed", "sambo", "bootlip", "uncle Tom", "you people" and "boy" as having definite racial undertones; but FRIED CHICKEN? GMAB
I guess potato soup and crackers is a slight against the Irish too? Don't you dare serve pizza or spaghetti on Columbus Day. AND quit calling the crap Taco Bell sells "Mexican Food", now there is a slight for you.
Come on people! We are a race diverse world. All races have high and low points in their history and heritage. BUT your history and heritage only define a small part of who you are today UNLESS you allow it to define you.
I have some German blood but I don't take offense when people compare modern leaders to Hitler. Hitler was a huge red/black mark on the heritage of Germans. So which was worse slavery or the holocaust? Neither, they were both terrible and unfortunate human circumstances created by madmen.
It is so sad to me to see all this negative energy created by nitpicking terminology and playing the woe is me "you hurt my feelings" race cards. If you feel so strongly about the injustices of the past then why not try to pour some of that energy into stopping the injustices of today? It's not like there is no slavery today (sex slaves, child slavery and economic slavery) or no genocide.
There are any number of worthy causes to give your energy to support; BUT they are not as self serving as whining about your own oppression; and you will gain very little advantage by supporting an end to the plight of others... however you might regain some of your supposed lost dignity.
I love me some fried chicken, watermelon, corn bread, colored greens, neck bones, ribs, grits, etc. etc. Many foods once considered foods for the poor and downtrodden are now considered delicacies or simply staple foods around the world. Am I supposed to consider the heritage of each bite of these foods that I take and how it may trigger the recollection of times of oppression; or should I just eat what I like and what is available to me. Well I don't know about you, but I'm going to eat and be happy that I have that food.
So when it comes to racism, just let's leave food out of it.
I agree. Plus a large part of culture is food. If you are celebrating a culture why wouldn't you include that culture's food? I don't see that as racist at all.
The first person to use the word racist is usually the racist
If they had the staff put on black face and sing mammy to the kids I'd say that is getting closer to racist. Or if they only served this meal to the black kids at the school.
Black History month has a lot of focus on the persecution of blacks in this country. It is pretty much to be expected people will be extra sensitive and looking for offense during that time. It will be nice when society doesn't have so many egg shells to tip toe around.
For relevant joke that is definitely not appropriate for the boards google Dave Chappelle fried chicken or Dave Chappelle watermelon (two different jokes). (side note he's a proud daytonian / yellow springer )
Quote: Without watching the video, I assume that this is a story because it is a private school (probably predominantly White) that served a stereotypical "Black" meal for Black History Month.
However, the meal itself is a historical southern Black meal.
Like hell it's a historical black meal. I still have my great grandmother's cast iron chicken frying pan, and her cast iron cornbread pan is still with my mother. Even Col. Sanders was white. How in the world did this become a stereotypical black meal? Almost everyone loves fried chicken. Cornbread is one of the greatest things you can eat, as long as it's prepared properly. I've never cared for watermelon, but it's almost always a 4th of July or picnic favorite. These foods are enjoyed by all.
Yeah really. I live in the south. There are soul food restaurants here. I was the only white girl eating in one one time, does that make me a racist because I ate there? Of course not. If a bus full of white kids went to eat there are they racists? Of course not.
All this talk about chicken and cornbread is making me hungry . It is funny that even food can be made to fit a stereotypical mold . Surprise they left out chittlins ( a truly vile food ) from the mix . Okra,turnip greens,fried gizzards,catfish,hominy,fried green tomatoes,cow tongue ....mmmm.... Sryy got off on a culinary daydream there but I do so love good food.
Quote: Without watching the video, I assume that this is a story because it is a private school (probably predominantly White) that served a stereotypical "Black" meal for Black History Month.
However, the meal itself is a historical southern Black meal.
Like hell it's a historical black meal. I still have my great grandmother's cast iron chicken frying pan, and her cast iron cornbread pan is still with my mother. Even Col. Sanders was white. How in the world did this become a stereotypical black meal? Almost everyone loves fried chicken. Cornbread is one of the greatest things you can eat, as long as it's prepared properly. I've never cared for watermelon, but it's almost always a 4th of July or picnic favorite. These foods are enjoyed by all.
That explains how it got associated with African-American culture and why it's racist. Erik is right, it's not a "Historic black meal" it's a meal that everyone has.
Quote: Without watching the video, I assume that this is a story because it is a private school (probably predominantly White) that served a stereotypical "Black" meal for Black History Month.
However, the meal itself is a historical southern Black meal.
Like hell it's a historical black meal. I still have my great grandmother's cast iron chicken frying pan, and her cast iron cornbread pan is still with my mother. Even Col. Sanders was white. How in the world did this become a stereotypical black meal? Almost everyone loves fried chicken. Cornbread is one of the greatest things you can eat, as long as it's prepared properly. I've never cared for watermelon, but it's almost always a 4th of July or picnic favorite. These foods are enjoyed by all.
That explains how it got associated with African-American culture and why it's racist. Erik is right, it's not a "Historic black meal" it's a meal that everyone has.
Thanks for the knowledge CHS. I wasn't aware it isn't even a popular or historical black meal. If schools are supposed to be the gatekeepers of knowledge they shouldn't be spreading around myths based on non-histories forged by racists.
I think people need to be very clear when we are talking about the offensiveness of racism. I don't think these people meant to defame or insult black people. I think they were ignorant (hey so was I..) likely not that bright or cautious and mildly racist like most people. I think people who are uninformed and mildly racist should be treated with civility and education. Genuine racism on the other hand I think should be dealt the stronger blows.
I suppose the issue with black history month is they are Americans. Unless we are going to start an African history month there isn't really one food stuff you can lock down on their race that wouldn't just be standard American foods (maybe a bit geared toward being southern). Unless you give the kids of box of Newports and Tyler Perry DVDs I don't really know anything that is really a specific black cultural item (I credit my knowledge of black people to the Wire and South Park so uhhh yeah that might be a little racist right there )
You know ..... I started to write Historic southern meal, and slipped in the Black at the last time ..... mainly because Black people I have known who have never even lived in the south love fried chicken and grits. (I have heard them talk about both foods a LOT in my time managing restaurants drawing employees from inner city environments)
I will never forget when I managed a pizza shop in Cleveland, that was open on every single day of the year, including holidays ...... and one holiday (Easter, IIRC) the mother of one of the kids (Black) who worked for me brought us dinner. It was really nice of her. We had chicken, grits, fried greens, and all kinds of stuff I really don't care for. LOL It was what I would consider a stereotypical "southern" meal. The chicken was fantastic. I have no idea how she got it to stay so crisp, even after bringing it to the store. I couldn't eat grits, though everyone assured me they were great. I didn't care for the greens. I like my leafy veggies raw.
Anyway .... I had no intention of insulting anyone. If I did, then I'm sorry to have done so.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
They have soul food day once a week at the cafeteria at work. It's the best meal of the week.
When I was at OU they did this same thing. The lady who ran the cafeteria was black and it was her idea. I didn't even put 2 and 2 together and just thought it was an awesome meal. The next day in the paper they made a big deal about it. They never had soul food again. Such a shame...
i'm mixed with black. wish i could've went to that school that day. no lie.
i'm seriously, who DOESN'T like any of that stuff? food is awesome.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
Quote: Hmm.. now I'm in the mood for a KFC lunch...
I love KFC......but, it's about twice a year we get it. However, I do believe tonight I will slice up some chicken breasts, crush up a bunch of cheez its, dip the chicken slices in egg, cover them with the crushed cheez its, bake them.........and eat like there's no tomorrow! The mashed potatoes will be missing though.
This represents an interesting case of what happens when the words "tradition" and "stereotype" bleed into one-another creating a negative connotation leading inexorably to the word "racism."
I've always been fascinated how the word "stereotype" can be both factual and racially-charged simultaneously...
***Gordon, I really didn't think you could be this stOOpid, but you exceeded my expectations. Wussy. Manziel, see Josh Gordon. Dumbass.***
Quote: That explains how it got associated with African-American culture and why it's racist. Erik is right, it's not a "Historic black meal" it's a meal that everyone has.
Everybody eats spaghetti too but if the school was celebrating some Italian heritage, that is probably what they would serve... because it's cheaper and easier to make for a large number of kids than most other Italian dishes... they had to make something that is associated with the black culture that can be made in bulk and something that a lot of kids would actually eat... so they picked the safest thing possible..
Unless I hear otherwise, I will assume that the school was trying to do something nice in recognition of black history month...
But when white peoples retort is " I love fried chicken and watermelon" as their response to these types of things, it is as corny as saying " some of my best friends are black"
You may be in the drivers seat but God is holding the map. #GMSTRONG
I am offended by this and by people making light of the situation.
If a school/organization wanted to celebrate black history month, they could have celebrated it in other ways other than a stereotypical black dinner. If they wanted to celebrate history for Italian Americans it still would be offensive to serve spaghetti for lunch. Serving a stereotypical lunch and using the lunch as a way to celebrate the history of a culture seems more like a joke more then anything positive.
The nature of the beast of message boards and the internet is that people have online persona's that are actually bigger and badder then they are in person. So people are more inclined to make comments on an anonymous board like this rather then in person. That being said, I highly doubt many people would make a comment like this in person, so if I am too sensitive many people are just too fake.
SMH
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