Posted on 02/06/2014 12:46:52 PM PST by artichokegrower
Plans to celebrate Black History Month with a lunch of fried chicken, cornbread and watermelon did not go over well at a private high school in Concord.
Administrators at Carondelet High School, an all-girl Catholic school, are apologizing to students and parents this week for proposing a menu that some complained perpetuated racial stereotypes, NBC Bay Area reported.
(Excerpt) Read more at blog.sfgate.com ...
I suggest next time they have this, they serve peanut butter sandwich in honor of George Washington Carver.
On Mexican History month they planned a field trip where they all sneak across the border.
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I think the problem here is less what food they served, than the food they didn’t serve, *and* to give the history of the food, context.
For example, watermelon is believed to have come from southern Africa, and had cultivated in Egypt by 2000 BC, even consumed by the ancient Hebrews. It is truly a pride of that continent. It was introduced into Europe in the 13th Century, and were grown by Native Americans by the 16th Century.
Finally, African slaves are believed to have introduced the vine in the southern United States, where it flourished and became a popular food.
So, bottom line, how can watermelon be seen as stereotypical, unless people pretend it is? No reason to not enjoy it.
However, with the goodness comes the badness. In this case, the children should have been offered sample of some of the staple foods of the southland, that black people ate for generations, and actually liked. Such as mustard and collard greens and chard.
I am not so cruel as to even offer children chitterlings, however. But grits are fine.
If they wanted true African food they should have served ‘Bush Meat.’
Whites like 'em too !!!
Oh snap...
What is so wrong with it?
Corned beef and cabbage needs to be outlawed!! Bratwurst and kielbasa too!
I’m Irish Catholic and those are 3 of my favorite foods. Well and Guiness. :-)
There is about a 90% overlap between what is called Soul Food and what is called just general Southern Cooking.
But watermelon is the definite stereotype food, and has been used in insulting ways to stereotype blacks. So, including that in a meal was definitely a mistake.
But I still don’t know why a meal of BBQed ribs, collard greens and baked sweet potatoes caused a similar uproar several years back. Sounded like the lunch room meal of the year to me. It seems no traditional food associated with black Americans can be used to recognized black Americans in any sort of celebration.
We already have one of those in the local Eagles club. When I was a member, I was told that there was an "unofficial" 'no blacks' rule. This is in Marcia Fudge's district.
All the local Democrats are members...
I like okra prepared in the Indian way too - bindi bhaji.
I doubt the Hindus would be offended if the school served that and some curry on one of their holidays.
I love Top Ramen dan
There must be a million black owned restaurants in America that make great fried chicken and corn bread and are out there bragging about it. In some cities you will find expensive restaurants that have fried chicken and cornbread and do it as well as it can be done
Fried okra!!!!
From luby’s cafeteria!
It’s not like they served it In the traditional shoe box.
Sheesh!
I’d show up for fried chicken.
If it’s so damned offensive then why eat fried chicken under any other circumstance?
Dave Chappelle said he went into a fast food chicken place in the south and the person behind the counter asked him “Do you want fried chicken?”
Chappelle said “Why do you automatically assume I want fried chicken?”
The guy said “Well, what do you want?”
Chappelle said “Fried chicken.”
Even if the watermelon weren’t seedless it’s Michelin rated gourmet when combined with fried chicken.
Best eaten on a nice spring day, while fishing for large mouth bass.
Watermelon and fried chicken are a trap. Only Whites can fall into the trap. Anytime a White says the words, or proposes eating the things, he is instantly liable to be accused of racism.
There is no defense. The White is always guilty.
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