Is NBC racist because of their Black History Month menu? [The Blemish]
Who cares about the fug dress? Zoe Saldana‘s legs are frightening. [Go Fug Yourself]
Carrot Top, Plumber‘s Butt. [D-Listed]
Amanda Seyfried screencaps: who has sex like this? [Egotastic]
Michael Lohan chimes in on Lindsay‘s crack hoarding. [I’m Not Obsessed]
Jonathan Rhys Meyers‘ American accent is crap. [Pajiba]
Charlie Sheen‘s SUV was stolen, driven off cliff. Where is Denise Richards? [PopEater]
Jessica Simpson is not boning Taylor Kitsch. [LaineyGossip]
Panda babies!!! 16 panda cubs on their first day of preschool! [Jezebel]
Willie Garson‘s adoption of an 8-year-old orphan is finalized. Yea! [Starpulse]
Sigh… Holly Madison needs to get a job. [Hollywood Rag]
More of those corpsey Mango ads with Scarlett Johansson. [Yeeah]
White Collar‘s Matt Bomer is a Virgo, just like me! [The Frisky]
Kellan Lutz: still not attractive to me in the least. [A Socialite Life]
Mischa Barton is still a f-cking mess. [Celebslam]
*groan* No. They are not racist. My family calls this soul food, though some people may associate this more with Southern regional Cuisine than necessarily “Black Cuisine.”
My father is an African American from North Carolina. My mother is Korean. I am 100% American. I would not kick people down who are making an effort to include multi-culturalistic recognitions. There are some people out there who don’t think this month or MLK holiday should even be recognized, much less, celebrated.
You will also see me with a shot of Jameson’s with a pint of Guiness while enjoyng Irish stew on St. Patty’s day. Am I being racist then? God Bless America.
What, no watermelon?
Lol, that menu is not racist at all!
For pete’s sake, the chef who created it is black! Some people clearly have too much time on their hands to make mountains out of molehills…
this is precisely what got golfer fuzzy zeller in trouble when he suggested the menu for the victory dinner should tiger woods win the masters several years back. will be interesting to see if the same standard of racism is applied to nbc as it was to zeller. both are ignorant.
I don’t think it’s actually racist- more like somebody with no imagination thought “African Americans = soul food” and slapped this mess together. But soul food isn’t inherently racist- it is a regional cuisine developed largely by black people in the South.
OMG Carrot Top is such a mess. What did he do to himself??
Of course it’s not racist. With Cinco de Mayo you have Mexican Food. With St. Patrick’s day you have Irish food-as disgusting as it is. Someone is making a mountain out of a molehill and I am so tired of the “Is this racist?” question. It’s all so paranoid.
this is just some straight up f*ckery…but then again all that food sounds super delicious…i’m on the fence
Zoe’s dress is bad, but her legs are awesome. Hey, she’s the new Sigourney Weaver, got to send some love!
Sounds like some good eats to me, except for the black-eyed peas. Can’t stand those.
I don’t think it’s racist, but no one really cares what I think. Sounds like a good meal to me!
I don’t see what’s wrong with Zoe’s legs? The dress is kind of bad but I think she looks glowing and healthy.
I’m black and I don’t find it offensive at all this is what some black southerns eat it’s a staple.
Just like Andrea said when St. Paddy day comes around they have specials of corn beef and hash and green beer.
I don’t think it’s racist, but I do think that it’s insensitive and poorly-thought-out due to the fried chicken. Just about ANYTHING else would have been better: catfish, ham, whatever. Fried chicken has been used against us too many times, when really, who doesn’t like fried chicken? 😀 Also, I don’t think there is anything wrong with wondering if this is racist. When we stop asking these questions, we become ignorant ourselves.
So no one read the actual article, eh?
The menu was created by the chef, who happens to be AA. She wanted good food, food that she loved on the menu.
Non-issue.
I can’t wait until crying racism is like crying wolf, and everyone ignores it. I think THAT will do more for race relations than this incessant, unceasing “Is this or that RACIST???” BS that we have to deal with every time anything having to do with black people is brought up. But I’m an evil whitey so I’m sure nobody cares what I think, because as we all know, ALL whites are racist, no matter what. And all blacks are victims. See, isn’t this sh*t tiresome? Can’t we stop this bullcrap, it’s the year 2010! Jeez!
The lady who created the menu is black. She thought it would be a good meal. This is getting totally blown out of proportion.
lol at chicken T. I’m enjoying your comments today.
I guess the menu would have been racist if a white person made up the menu but since it was a black person, it’s all good. Apparently, a majority of the time racism seems to apply solely to black people.
Not racist, just insensitive. Fried chicken and collard greens, really? Really? Dingles said it right – what, no watermelon?
Almost the same menu was posted on Digg I think for an elementary school’s menu on MLK Jr day. People got all upset but then other people pointed out that fried chicken and collard greens were MLK’s fave food. IDK if that’s true but it hardly seems racist, probably just a desperate attempt to spice up the crappy standard menu!
@ MaiGirl:
Fried chicken has been used against us too many times, when really, who doesn’t like fried chicken? 😀 Also, I don’t think there is anything wrong with wondering if this is racist. When we stop asking these questions, we become ignorant ourselves.
You rock!
Thanks for hitting the nail on the head on both accounts. Southern food is eaten by black and white Southerners! And pretty much everyone loves fried chicken, it’s a very American food. So it’s insensitive and stereotypical to hurl it as an insult to the black community, yet people continue to do so.
Yes, I agree people SHOULD be called out for their assumptions. When you say something that is racially insensitive or based on a stereotype it is not acceptable! You show your ignorance by trying to sideswipe the issue or pretend the person who challenged you on it is “making too much of it”.
To answer the question, YES I find the menu in poor taste. The fact that a black woman may have put the menu together makes no difference to me.
How many women in the greater LA area this morning said a little too eagerly “Was Charlie inside?”
I don’t think the menu is racist, but I could see people thinking it wasn’t the best idea. Of course, coming from NBC, it might have been the best idea out of there in months! 😉
Whew! Taylor Kitsch is safe from Papa Joe.
Panda Cubs!
Zoe looks great! She looks like a model.
why do ppl still care about Mischa Barton
@ Chicken Tetrazzini:
“Can’t we stop this bullcrap, it’s the year 2010! Jeez!”
Sure, we can stop as soon as you dismantle white privilege. Well, let me know when that’s over with!
While you’re at it, can you dismantle male privilege, heterosexual privilege, right handed privilege too? (Go South paws!)
@Iggles–Well said!
I never understood how comments about black people liking fried chicken worked for the racists. I mean, who doesn’t like fried chicken? That’s like saying black people like breathing air and drinking water. It’s more like the one thing everybody can agree on is that fried chicken is delicious.
On another note, I grew up in such a white area, I never knew about the fried chicken, watermelon or grape soda business until college. The whole kerfuffle about this menu would have gone straight over my head.
For goodness sake: St Patrick’s Day its gammon, cabbage and potatoes on the menu; Burn’s Night its haggis, neeps and tatties. If you want to celebrate ‘Black History Month’ what is on earth is wrong with celebrating that with good soul food?
REad this: http://ta-nehisicoates.theatlantic.com/archives/2010/02/my_first_sense_that_it.php
Being Irish is a nationality. Being black is not.
Also – everyone in the south eats this stuff. Including non-black people…
Iggles–We serve tacos and enchiladas to celebrate Mexican heritage…this is also a So-Cal food that mostly EVERYONE loves throughout the country. I consider this food somewhat American as well, not just Mexican. However the connection is still there.
We serve spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, and garlic bread to celebrate Italian heritage…many, many people love their foods in general as well and of course it can be considered a favorite “American” food. Italians have been, in the past, called “garlic eaters” as racial comments…
Same for Irish corned beef and cabbage, Chinese lo-mein or chow-mein.
So I find it odd that making an attempt to celebrate American black history by offering soul food is considered racist. I work in a very diverse school district, and many black people eat this type of food on a consistent basis and bring it in for parties, etc. I find it delicious, as do they.
Would you rather they have just ignored black history month altogether, and not made an effort? What would you have them serve? Nothing? The menu is an attempt at multiculturalism. Food is a way people connect.
Don’t find this menu racist at all.
a past employer of mine did the same thing – the “black history month menu” was about the same as this one – several black employees were offended as they thought it was furthering a “southern mammy” stereotype, as if black people don’t like to eat salmon or caviar or something. i don’t think it’s racist, but i don’t think it’s the brightest idea either.
everybody is too damn sensitive. the reason those have become “stereotypical” AA foods is because a lot of them live in the south and its southern food. all stereotypes are based on a grain of truth. if there was something such as white appreciation month (ha! thats racism and discrimination!! *eye roll*) i wouldn’t get my panties in a bunch if some studio somewhere served hotdogs and hamburgers. wtf people.
Political correctness def: create an even more hostile environment in which anyone can be offended by ANYTHING and then have their butt kissed for being oversensitive.
My mom makes corned beef on St. Patty’s Day….are we racist now for eating food known traditionally to be eaten by the Irish? Jiminy Crickets.
No! They are honoring Black History w/fabulous Southern styled meals. So American.
Hey, secret Canadian, MYOB.
So what? On Chinese New Year’s they’ll probably serve fried rice. On Columbus Day, they serve spagetti or pizza. Who the hell cares? On 4th of July we have hot dogs and apple pie. Same bullsheit.
The only thing I don’t like about the southern diet is that it will give you a heart attack. Other than that, I haven’t really hated any southern food. Except when my AA friend said she chewed on dirt chips. I draw the line at that. She can have those pieces of rocks to herself.
What? Grape soda is black food? Holy hell, I never knew. I’m pretty sure I like all that food, and there is not a black bone in my body.. but I am southern, does this mean that fried chicken is not good on the other side of the mason dixon?
The way to make your argument, Chicken Tet., is not by grossly exaggerating the opposite. It may be emotionally gratifying for the person typing it or saying it, but it’s a really really poor way to make a point. Find a better way if you want to impress anyone. Doing it the other way just keeps the hate cyle in flames. Results =zero.
@Chicken: “See, isn’t this sh*t tiresome?” — yeah, sh*t like folks as yourself automatically crying foul whenever “every time anything having to do with black people is brought up” IS tiresome. Don’t be so freaking stupid that you think absolutely none of it is legitimate.
You said it, Iggles. Chicken, since you seem to like to speak on behalf of all white people about all black people raising hell for no apparent reason, please let us know when you take care of this bothersome little race problem — oh wait, it’s 2010…such a problem must no longer exist, right? Pfff, get a clue, ignoramus.
matt bomer is yummy!
Trillion – nice response to Chicken Tetrazzini. I was just going to call her a nasty name.
I am black and also tired of the over- use of the word racism.
I don’t find whites to be evil and I don’t think the menu was racist.
I would eat that menu every day of the year! Yumm! (well, except for the part that I’d be 700 pounds)
Reminds me of college. The menu for MLK day was fried chicken, collard greens, and sweet potato pie. Fine Southern eating. The cafeteria employees were almost all African American.
Chicken Tet- Please read The Secret Life of Bees and then tell us if you feel the same way.
NBC has really gone down the tubes with the crap they put out there this past year and that menu truly disgusts me.
_____
“How many women in the greater LA area this morning said a little too eagerly “Was Charlie inside?” lucy 2, peel me off the floor!
It is not racist. I live in the south. That is what they eat.
Now tacos. That shit be racist, yo.
Trillion: I wasn’t aware that I had to impress you, or anyone. I’ll be sure to do better next time, since the opinion of some person I don’t know on the internetz is EXTREMELY important to me, you know.
boo: I’ve read it, thanks. Wasn’t really impressed, but I guess I’m a little bored with the tons of novels about how horrible the South and southerners were. I prefer real books about real history, not histrionic BS that pushes an agenda, but maybe that’s just me.
Iggles: Wow. I didn’t think that the “privilege” BS had spread beyond sites like Jezebel. When I first read that crap, I actually thought it was all some kind of troll. I never thought ANYONE could believe something so asinine…imagine my shock and dismay when I realized that it wasn’t a troll. PEOPLE REALLY BELIEVE THIS. Scary! Those of us out here in the real world, who have lived in diverse, multiracial and multiethnic communities their whole lives, we know better. When you go on about that crap, it lets EVERYONE know exactly who you are, where you’re from, and how much “privilege” YOU have. It’s about MONEY, plain and simple. Not race, not sex…MONEY. And if you believe any differently, I don’t know what to say to you.
M: Oooh, please do call me that nasty name! I bet I can guess EXACTLY what it is….!!
No. And it sickens me that you have to pose that question. I saw the cook being interviewed on tv who comprised the menu in honor of Black History Month. The woman is black. And no, I’m not going to say African American because she did not literally come from Africa.
@Cheyenne–I used to think the same thing about black eyed peas as I had only had them from a can and thought they tasted exactly like DIRT would taste. Then I made a recipe one time for New Years called Hoppin’ John using dried BEPeas and it was some of the best stuff I ever put in my mouth. So don’t write them completely off until you’ve tried something besides the nasty canned ones.
More than likely if this menu was prepared in Los Angeles, CA, it probably would not taste “worth a damn” anyway. I lived in the South for many years and people on the West Coast can’t cook unless it’s something that’s authentically ethnic.
I think what “pissed off” some African Americans is that this menu is not a “classy” representation of what we have contributed to American cooking.
If this menu would have included some creole dishes like, a gumbo (chicken or seafood), shrimp etouffee, jambalaya, shrimp creole or bread pudding with whiskey sauce there probably would have been few, if any complaints. Like jazz, in order to appreciate the richness of our contributions to American cooking, you have to sample New Orleans cuisine. Although African Americans did not create all of it, we certainly refined it with our “soulfulness”.
Thank you, #28 (jz…?). I was trying to figure out why that analogy was so troublesome to me, then I saw your post and my confusion made sense.
No it isn’t! If it were Japanese history week noone would blink an eye at the kitchen serving up sushi and tempura. Mexican history week….hey, how about fajitas? What’s the big deal? It’s just good food.
Not at all racist. I’m a black woman and I quite like fried chicken, collard greens and other delicious southern foods.
OMG!!! I’m so glad I’m not the only one who feels this way about Michelle Obama’s eyebrows.
When Michelle O’s new look was revealed, I was like, “WTF happened to her eyebrows and someone explain why her eyeliner is so damn dark!”
Thank you for pointing this out; however, this makes me wonder if Barack is dippig in the intern pool because Michelle seems to be trying way TOO hard.
“Being Irish is a nationality. Being black is not.” – then, shouldnt they remove black history month? No? then i think we should have white, asian, spanish, greek, mixed history month.
Jessipalooza & Jess: totally true.
I’m black and i think most black people in america sees racism everywhere, but you guys have BET and other things especially for black, why not White Entertainment TV?
every word about black is considered racism. i wonder why.. there is chinese new year, there are foods like dumplings, mooncake, noodles, curry but its no big deal for asians.
I dunno I’m Puerto Rican and if they had arroz con pollo and empanadas for “Puerto Rican HIstory Month” (it’s in the works haha) I would NOT be offended. Being that PC is almost as detrimental and oppressive as outright racism.
LMFAO! Some peppers are black too, guess its racist to mix salt with black pepper in scrambles eggs now with the eggs being ASIAN. God blacks need to quit the racist crap already. As if they were the only ones discriminated against in history. No worse than what humanity has ever done throughout the test of time.
I’m white and from South Carolina and that’s what we ate after church every Sunday. It’a SOUTHERN not BLACK. What do they think the ‘white folks’ eat down here, sushi??? No Way. Gimme some fried chicken and gravy Ma.
I don’t see any racism in this and I am black. All that for $7.50 sounds good to me.
@ Toe go read a book and get some education… all of those other ethnicities you listed do have “history celebration” months… the reason why there are no white history months is because if you open up just about any history book around US today you will find that the majority of the history is about white americans ONLY and their contributions… This is why black history month was created, why hispanic history month was created and so on and so on, because Amercian History books (still being using in schools till this day) do not include the contriubutions of EVERY american citizen…your ignorance on the subject sadly isn’t surprising though because most people sadly do not educate themselves on the matter they just roll with ignorant comments like yours.
Now to subject at hand, it’s not about whether black people or white people like fried chicken, it’s playing into stereotypes that people already have about blacks. I don’t believe it’s racist but it’s in poor taste, the fact that the chef is black doesn’t make it any less offensive to some.
Let me make this clear as to why people may find this offensive…it plays on a STEREOTYPE people. Some Blacks find it offensive because the legacy of slavery and racist propaganda used to degrade Blacks… fried chicken being one of them. The fact that chef couldn’t think of any other food other than this makes me sad for my people. This menu is REGIONAL, not Traditional… Black people come from many different backgrounds not just the south
http://i3.iofferphoto.com/img/item/761/393/81/o_Yuu4F7ovTwFl9zE.jpg
@ Lena: I’m not from US. My official language is Dutch and I know all of the history of Europe, not US. If all those “history celebration” exist, why is it that every think with “black” they cry racism? I didnt see watermelon & Cool Aid on the menu for me to start complaining.
The same person that requested fried chicken & black eyed peas, is the one that twittered the menu (btw he’s black too).
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/nbc_lost_soul_UM3zLz05eb8QDjm6JsbNwK
I’m black, white, and asian (mom is black and white, dad is asian). The uproar claiming that this menu was racial concerns and angers me…Why? Because it makes people all the more apprehensive to celebrate other cultures for fear of being tormented afterwards. WTF…blacks are NOT NOT NOT the only culture mistreated over the history of the world…get OVER it and let’s get on with life!!
And, yes, the fact that a BLACK person made the menu does change the whole picture. That’s what SHE saw, personally, as black american food!! And she’s black!!
They should serve Italian food.
As an Irish person living in Ireland, I think I should make clear; we don’t eat corned beef very often(if ever), I don’t know what “hash” is and a quick survey I just carried out says that none of the 17 people in the room have ever eaten gammon. American “St. Pattys(It’s St. Patricks!) day food and celebrations are so far removed from Irish culture and customs it’s unreal!
I am Southern and that menu is what we all ate. We used to eat in black soul food restaurants all of the time. You would walk in and it would be a mixed crowd.
I don’t think the menu is racist but I am not prepared to tell black people what to feel about it either. I think the attitude that blacks need to ‘stop calling racism’ is insensitive. You can’t tell a whole race of people what to feel. It seems racist to try to lump all black people into one group.
The black people who have weighed in on this issue have differing opinions. Maybe based on where they are from. Not all black people are southern nor do they eat this food. What about Jamaican decendents, black latinos, black Westerners, Black Lousianans?
This IS a stereotypical black meal. Delicious though it is, the problem is that it only represents a segment of black society and then the food is southern and not just black. I think this is where some people feel it is racist. Why not a menu celebrating regional black foods on different days?
Black includes a whole lotta people who have absolutely nothing in common.
I do understand why some roll their eyes. Maybe because they don’t feel like that? Instead of thinking that they are being racist maybe they really don’t see a difference in people and want us to all move forward.
As a southerner I am racism fatigued too. Please I hear it all of the time. I went to Europe and was asked all the time about it. I guess people hear my accent and assume my father’s name is Bubba and we have a long history of oppressing people. Could not be further from the truth. However, it is not my place to tell people what to feel or how to feel about issues that face their community. So I listen and I don’t mind taking a few seconds to contemplate what my fellow Americans may be feeling.
As to the Cinco de Mayo, hispanic history and so forth. I bet some hispanics would not appreciate it if we said Mexican food is what ALL latinos eat. There are Irish people who aren’t all that keen on the corned beef and cabbage stereotype. Go to Ireland and see for yourselves. Some people find it ignorant. Or how about only sushi for an Asian American history month?
It isn’t exactly racist but it isn’t representative of black Americans as a whole either.
It looks like what I imagine “soul food” to be and the only offense I can see is that it is very specifically African-American, rather than say Carribean or indeed African, so they’re not really celebrating the huge diversity in black cuisine.
But I will totally back up what Kaitx says. The true and proper Irish dish is bacon-and-cabbage (a big hunk of salted back bacon, not the thin strips you fry on a pan). And I never thought much of that recipe even when I did eat meat. But when I heard about the horror of what is CORNED BEEF and boiled cabbage, I really did glorf.
I can’t think of anything that sounds more foul! As far as I’m concerned, corned beef is something that comes from a can, goes in sandwiches and that I’ve studiously avoided for over 30 years now. I would have thought it more English than Irish, as well tbh.
Oh Lena, for pete’s sake, I’m black and I love fried chicken AND watermelon. So what??
If you want to make me REALLY happy, give me a big plate of grits and red-eye gravy.
I draw the line at chitlins, though. They stink up a whole city block.
Kaitx, My mother in law is from Ireland and is confused why in the US the redhead is the posterchild for Ireland. She says they’re called ginger heads there, and there’s alot more brunettes than redheads. What do you say? Am curious.
Toe: Are you seriously asking why we shouldn’t have White Entertainment TV?
Do you watch television?
If you do, you’d realize that most people on your television set are white. ALL tv is white entertainment tv.
Black people had to get their own station because they weren’t getting jobs in television. It reminds me of the all-negro-cast movies that used to come out in the early part of the 20th century. They had to do it be because they couldn’t get decent parts in mostly white films.
Nowadays it’s a bit different and there is more diversity on television but when BET was founded in 1980, the television landscape for black people was mostly nannies, babysitters, crackheads and low-class people struggling for their next paycheck and living in slums.
Why is it that anything that has to do with AA considered racist?
This is a country full of people from different races and all of us have been discriminated at one point in our lives.
Making a menu on the food we eat even if everyone else not from where I’m from eats it is not considered racist at all! I actually will be happy if someone would do that.
People feel the need to walk around eggshells because of this and I would be one to refuse to do it. I have been a victim of racism but I laugh at people’s ignorance and move on instead of dwelling on it. This is stupid and just another reason to call people racist.
PC – convenient word to silence anyone who dares question the status quo or consider institutionalized racism in our society.
Privilege – an actual recognized concept in academia and not specific to some website.
Knee-jerk reactions to anyone who even dare consider that our society is not “post-racial” = narrow-minded
One person who is or claims to be a member of an ethnic group does not speak for everyone in that group, your experience is not universal.
That being said, I can see why some people would react to parts of the menu including the assumption that soul food = black and that fried chicken is associated with a subtext that is mean tot be demeaning. However, the chef may be trying to remove that stereotype.
Why do southerners, black and white, eat so much sugar? The sweet tea is like sugar with water.
My sister lived in Tennessee for work and the grocery stores had the largest baked goods and sugar drinks area. The portions of food were triple the size of New York portions.
What’s up with that?
For our Cinco de Mayo celebration in my town, they serve authentic Mexican recipes. Such as goat meat.
I have learned from other people that not every region in Mexico eats goat, but many of the ones that immigrated here do.
Anyway, I agree with Sincerity that they could have picked some more interesting recipes.
What *will* the African-American population do when Hispanics surpass them as the largest minority?
The racism cry is age-old now, if you want to take offense at the celebration of your culture, it may be time to move to Canada and convince them you’re oppressed.
if im black and heard they serve the food we usually eat, i would be happy. i am asian and if i hear other people trying our impregnated duck eggs, roasted pig or the frog legs, they have the thrill and i am proud, esp if they like the taste………. if not.. well its okay. i dont understand the racism over foods.
Does anyone remember the American TV show “All in the Family” with the indelible Archie Bunker. On a guest episode Sammy Davis Jr. was scheduled to appear. Bunker and his wife were busy getting red for his visit to their home. Bunker is a white man, by the way, for those who are unfamiliar with the show. Bunker’s wife asks what food she should prepare. Bunker answers, “Fried Chicken. They like that.” All in the Family made small attempts to lampoon racism through the character of Bunker who was supposed to be a “lovable caricature” of stubborn mainstream America (i.e. whites). The fact that this stereotype received the satirical treatment suggests that there was something intrinically wrong with it, and all stereotypes for that matter. They reduce entire groups of people do nothing more than a set superficially recognizable markers without attempting to give the people soul or character in any respectable way. Fried Chicken to some is tantamount to black face if used inappropriately. With that said, I don’t think the menu quite qualifies as “racist”. It was just an ill-conceived idea.
This gesture is not a burning cross. I don’t guffaw, I don’t cry racism, nor am I going to move to Canada to build a shrine to my oppression. Her menu is was an oversight and in questionable taste. Not racist.
What I am not going to do, either, is to let a false sense of “post-racism” and reverse political correctness blind me to the CENTURIES of ethnic-biased indoctrination, government-sanctioned marginalization of minority groups (not just blacks), or the insidious institutionalized racism that still persists and is practiced by US ALL. Including blacks. The problem in 2010 is not syphillis being injected into black military vets because they are expendable, the US Constitution declaring that you are 3/5 of a person because you are a black slave, subtle discrimination in the housing market in which black couples who do have the appropriate income are not shown housing in more affluent white neighborhoods, or the fact that the Ku Klux Klan headquarters are right down the street from my parents home(oh, this one is 2010). No. The problem is is dismissive, glib attitudes like some that I’ve seen on this forum. I realize that we are all tired of the race issue and no one likes being called a racist when they don’t preach those values in earnest. Just because we are tired, however, doesn’t solve this “pesky”, “inconvenient” little issue nor does it erase three centuries of irreparable damage that our ancestors wrought. None of us started this. None of us. But we have to deal with it whether you like it or not.
How about we strike a deal? I refrain from playing the race card (something that I rarely do as is), and (you know who you are) acknowledge that once is a blue moon some things are racist. That is all.
@ toe, i’m really getting frustrated with you, did you not read my two other posts? You say you only aware of the history of europe fine, open a book or do some googling if you are unaware if other history celebrations exist in the US…your previous comments made let me know that you did not RESEARCH to see if they acutally exist you just assumed that they didn’t. And what exactly does everything with black cries racism mean? You are going to have to elablorate on that one for me, and just an FYI racism can occur with all ethnicities not just black…another uneducated/ignorant comment from you. As far as the cook being black, i could care less, being black doesn’t negate the fact that some people, not just black, will find it offensive..many people on this thread have provided examples as to why it would be offensive, and just an fyi i stated in my first post that it wasn’t racist but maybe in poor taste. “black” food is not just southeren soul food….it’s regional, what aren’t you understanding about that? Look at the link in my second post to see why some find it offensive that a month where we are supposed to be celebrating Black history is playing on the stereotype that all black people eat fried chicken.
@Cheyenne…i don’t care if you are black, doesn’t mean some people won’t see the menu in poor taste, Again I don’t think it’s racist, but it does show poor judgement…you know since we all don’t come from the south and fried chicken.
@ cootie bug, are you even aware of what you wrote? Telling blacks to leave the country????? yeah that comment doens’t sound imperialistic at all. It doens’t sound like the white priviledge this is my country so get out tune that a lot of minorities had to listen to, hell even the Italians and the Irish had to listen to that at some point…you are a jack a** and your ignorance is amazing, but sad at the same time.
And WTF does hispanics becoming the largest minority have to with black people…. oh yeah we are ALL going to be so upset were not the largest minority population in the US anymore and start a riot and kick all the hispanics out or maybe we will hold a conference and join forces with the hispanics and make all the white people move to Canada! See how i played with your dumb, uneducated, ignorant a** comments?
Hmmm, slowly backs out of this post…
Mairead – Yes corned beef in a can is the way to go. I don’t think they even sell corned beef meat in my local butchers! And real bacon… yum 🙂
Annie – I really don’t know why the Irish are all perceived to be redheads(although my mother has red hair!). Apparently statistically, there are more redheads in Britain than in Ireland, although that could be due to immigration from here. Redheads are known as “gingers” and tend to be made fun of! You are right – there are more brunettes/fake blondes here than any other hair colour. The lack of sunshine probably prevents many peoples’ hair from brightening (I know that whenever I go on holidays somewhere sunny, my hair brightens significantly from brunette to blonde) and to be honest, natural redheads are very few and far between!
Very impressed with Viktory Gin and Lena…some nice writing there…wow.
There is always a new day and a new way for a revolution. And every bit counts, such as I felt when reading your posts.
I shall never forget the day I had my first “soul food” experience. I was living in Chicago, and my neighbor was a lovable black woman bus driver named D. I was new in the building, a pale faced blonde from Oklahoma.
One day I heard a knock at the door, looked through the keyhole, and saw a plate brimming with colorful, steaming, aromatic variety…collard greens, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, black eyed pease, fried chicken…
How could I say no? I followed her into her home and received a welcome that remains with me to this day. Guess I’m one of the lucky ones.
I wish racism didn’t exist, but to deny it does is wrong also. For me it is a deep and complex subject, one that could also be referred to as a psycho-social disease. It cannot go away. But it needs to be acknowledged.
I live in Europe now, and one of the remaining few items that I can be proud of as an American is our African-American Heritage.
This may sound weird, since I am as white as white can be.
But I have been blessed and changed by our history involving African-Americans. A child of the 70’s, I enjoyed a new day dawning when I realized that though my grandparents may have been “racist,” however slightly, no matter, this was NOT a part of my personal development.
I was not a happy kid, and music was one of my saving graces. I would like to credit all African Americans and give thanks to what their culture and blood has given to us in music.
When I heard John Lee Hooker for the first time…I knew I was black and blue on the inside.
And it was the same feeling I got when I took a look at the menu featured here in this post. Yum…don’t get any of that where I live, sure wish I did.
The menu was made by an African-American woman who is the chef at NBC. The poor woman thought she would do something fun for black history month and now it’s turned into a shit show. It’s not even fun trying to celebrate others’ heritage anymore.
Lena, SO WHAT if some people find the menu in poor taste? Some people will find racism in everything. Some people think “Huckleberry Finn” is a racist book and should be banned from the public schools. Like you, I’m black. Unlike you, I’m proud of it.
@Leek: ITA. Some people love to make a flap over nothing.
Granny Clampett served food like this all the time ad no one considered her racist.
Has anyone considered that the cook who planned this menu did so on the basis of cooking for mass amounts of people and all the ingredients are relatively cheap in order to make a profit?? I’m wondering what would have been appropriate for the menu? There are lots of people who are finicky with seafood and anything else they don’t recognize. She most likely tried to figure out a menu with mass appeal.
There are plenty of stereotypical foods for all races that are served daily and no one makes a peep about racism. The Japanese don’t put avocado in their sushi. Sushi rolls was started in the US for American palates. Same with the tex-mex Mexican foods everywhere and Panda Express is as far as real Chinese food as you get.
I agree with the sentiments that why is it every time AA’s are involved, racism is brought up? There are so many other races (hispanic, asians,…) that have suffered too and they are rarely mentioned. The black card is overused.
@LIN234…. so let me get this straight, EVERY time (your words not mine) blacks are involved the “race card” gets used? I won’t even begin to tear this comment apart because i’m hoping you will eventually see the mass generalization you did there.
And once again i will state that Soul/southern Food is a regional cuisine NOT a traditional one…god some people are so dense. A black person can have roots from all over different parts of Africa, the Carribean, etc. and a menu like this just negates them to the stereotypes of what a black American is. I don’t think it’s racist, just in poor taste. Furthermore the cook works for a television network….i’m pretty sure they have the funds to expand the menu to include all types of black/african/caribbean dishes if they choose to. If the menu read just soul/southern food day and listed those food items this would be a non issue…the fact that it states in HONOR of black history month is going to rub people the wrong way…and by the way some of those people that are rubbed the wrong aren’t all black.
I’ll break it down for you hard headed folks (this requires expanding your mind some). For example: tacos, burritos, etc…are all foods that have their origin from Mexico right? They are original foods from the Mexican culture that represent a part of the mexican people/tradition.(correct me if i’m wrong). When it comes to most black americans, all of their original roots/culture/traditions have been taken/erased/lost and they are now associated with food that they had to use during slavery because “soul food” was always cheaper and not wanted by the higher ups. If you ever traveled to Africa, Caribbean, etc… you wouldn’t see this so called black traditional dish like fried chicken or collard greens because that is an American food, not an African one, and you would have to find an american themed restaurant to get that food. This soul food was pretty much forced upon blacks because that’s all they had to work with. And some people find these stereotypes insulting. I hope that makes sense.
As for the Irish/Redhead conversation. I always thought it was genetic. I am half hispanic and my husband’s family originated from Ireland and our daughter is a red-head. But my husband isn’t…
Or maybe it’s in the water because there have been a crop of red-heads spring up in our area.
I don’t see what’s so funny about red hair. I LOVE my daughter’s red hair!
I guess I can see where the cook was coming from .It’s the equilivant of Tex-Mex food for African Americans. Everyone loves Tex-Mex food, but not everyone would love menudo or pozole (I think that’s how you spell it.) It satisfies a large crowd. As someone said earlier, who doesn’t love fried chicken?!?!?!
@Viktory Gin: That was perfect. Just perfect. Well said.
@lena & Viktory Gin:
Your posts absolutely rock! Even CeeCee12 who is a “White Southerner” understands that racism is an issue that has not disappeared. For those posters who seem to be misinformed on the topic, may I suggest that you read, “Overcoming Our Racism” by Derald Wing Sue. Dr. Sue is a well respected Ivy League professor and researcher who has dedicated his career exploring this somewhat “thorny” topic. Dr. Sue is an Asian American and his conclusions are simply eye opening. However, on the other hand, many people prefer to stubbornly cling to their misconceptions because doing so justifies the “stereotypical filters” in which they use to live their miserable lives.
Sounds like a good ole Southern meal to me…of course, I live in Dixie. People make mountains out of molehills. Heck, don’t criticize the menu till you have tried it.
The English, in history, kidnapped many Irish who never saw their families again. They were forced to spend the rest of their days as slaves. Irish were forced to eat low-end or “poor” food as well (i.e., rotten potatoes). However I don’t take offense to Irish corned beef and potatoes served during St. Patty’s celebrations.
My point: MANY cultures have been raped of their essence over the years, and still are today. They don’t flip over a menu made by someone of their OWN race. Let’s all use our energies to embrace our country as the melting pot it is, and maybe focus on the wrongs that are happening against all cultures, not a cafeteria menu that was made in an effort to celebrate black history.
p.s. Lena–just because an Ivy League professor wrote a book doesn’t make all points valid. There’s conflicting quantitative and qualitative information on all topics, everywhere. Anyone can argue against many of her points, although I do agree with some.
@lena: Why in the world would you consider a menu featuring ethnic cuisine to be in “poor taste”? Soul food is nothing to be ashamed of; it’s plain “good eats”.
@ gia…i think you’ve confused my posts with sincerity….i never mentioned anything about an ivy league professor
@ cheyenne, i’ve never mentioned anything about being ashamed of soul food, lol, i don’t how you came to that conclusion from my posts. Let me make this clear, I don’t think the menu is in poor taste…it’s in poor taste to dedicate the menu in honor of black history month…i don’t feel like typing all of it again, but read my very last post to get the point I was trying to make….by the way the menu isn’t ethnic it’s regional. I know the cook meant no harm, but i can see where it rubs people the wrong the way.
Yes,sorry,thanks Lena!
@ Chicken:
“When you go on about that crap, it lets EVERYONE know exactly who you are, where you’re from, and how much “privilege” YOU have. It’s about MONEY, plain and simple. Not race, not sex…MONEY. And if you believe any differently, I don’t know what to say to you.”
Wow. That is absolutely delusional!!!!
So you don’t think sexism exist? So why do you think that even in 2010 on average women make 77 cents to every dollar than a man makes? Don’t say education because there are way more women in college than men.
If you do agree sexism is real, then why would you think other forms of oppression are make believe?? If you believe you are better than other people because of your money, or culture, or the color of your skin how in the world are you going to treat them like equals?
WAKE UP!!!! Open your eyes to real world beyond your privilege!!!!!!!!!!!! Racism, sexism, etc exist and there are many, MANY different forms of privilege.
And to further make it plain — I am left handed. Only 7% of people in the world are lefties. As a result nearly every product is designed for right handed people. From notebooks, to guitars, to FRIGGIN SCISSORS! You bet you a** right handed people have privilege — the world is designed for YOU. You never have to think at any point during the day that you are right handed. It’s regarded as normal. Whenever you are in the position of power, you have privilege. Your group (race/gender/orientation, etc) controls the narrative and it’s easy for outsiders to draw the short end of the stick.
As a straight person, I have privilege. I don’t have to think twice about being affectionate with a boyfriend in public (holding hands, arm around the shoulder, etc). Unfortunately often gay people do.
So don’t tell me talk of privilege is crap. It renders the plight of those on the outside invisible!!!
@ CeeCee12:
“I am Southern and that menu is what we all ate. We used to eat in black soul food restaurants all of the time. You would walk in and it would be a mixed crowd.
I don’t think the menu is racist but I am not prepared to tell black people what to feel about it either. I think the attitude that blacks need to ’stop calling racism’ is insensitive. You can’t tell a whole race of people what to feel. It seems racist to try to lump all black people into one group.
The black people who have weighed in on this issue have differing opinions. Maybe based on where they are from. Not all black people are southern nor do they eat this food. What about Jamaican decendents, black latinos, black Westerners, Black Lousianans?
This IS a stereotypical black meal. Delicious though it is, the problem is that it only represents a segment of black society and then the food is southern and not just black. I think this is where some people feel it is racist. Why not a menu celebrating regional black foods on different days?
Black includes a whole lotta people who have absolutely nothing in common.
I do understand why some roll their eyes. Maybe because they don’t feel like that? Instead of thinking that they are being racist maybe they really don’t see a difference in people and want us to all move forward.”
You rock! Thank you for posting that 🙂
It’s sad that in 2010 we have to state the obvious that a whole race of people are not alike and why stereotypes are bad!!!
@ TeriSaw:
“PC – convenient word to silence anyone who dares question the status quo or consider institutionalized racism in our society.
Privilege – an actual recognized concept in academia and not specific to some website.”
Well said!
Just want to give props. I don’t mean to repost earlier comments all day (last one, promise!) — I’m just catching up to this thread. I made a couple of comments on Friday and I was shocked to see it had 97 comments this morning!
Lena – Your posts are awesome! You really broke it down and got to the root of why many comments about this were offensive. Kudos!! 😀
Good God, people need to get a life. I’m so tired of people claiming EVERYTHING to be racist.
Are you kidding? This is a CAFETERIA meal devised by a person of color!! Do you want them to have a 1 month summit on what to serve to ensure proper black cultural mixture for a handful of days so as not to offend? LOL. I’m Mexican, and I don’t care when tacos are served in honor of Mexican heritage…and, no, not ALL Mexicans eat tacos, it is also a REGIONAL food connected to Tex-Mex. However it doesn’t make me go crazeeeeeeee like this…Don’t be surprised if people balk in reference to celebrating black history because many go ballistic when one possible mis-step is made…at least they’re trying…wow…
It’s always very easy for the people that this not DIRECTLY affect to dismiss it…Although I don’t see the racism part here I agree that you can’t tell people how to feel. Obviously there is still some hurt and pain that the unoppressed will NEVER understand…unlike all the other minorites that are here…Blacks were brought here forcibly and in a manner that other minorites can NEVER comprehend as well soooo calm down people…fact is no it’s not a big deal but to some there is still a wound and you can’t understand.
I actually find this negative reaction the most from non-southern Black people. I mean like it or not this is traditonal southern Black soul food. So the lady who created the menu thought she was doing something good and proper. It came with the best of intentions. And no one is saying that Black people eat this everyday. Also this was Dr. King’s favorite meal which is another reason why the lady crafted this menu.
P.S. I am black and for Black History Month this week we’re serving fried chicken, catfish, gumbo, sweet potatos, greens, corn bread, 7-up cake, bar b que, baked macaroni, etc….at my corporate cafeteria. And everyone is EXCITED, LOL…and bonus I work in TX so you know it’s YUMMY!!!
@Cheyenne: What exactly is red-eye gravy?
@NicoleB: What’s 7-up cake?
I’m from California…
@Gia:
GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT!!! Professor Sue is a man — not a woman. Furthermore, I’m quite sure that he is far more qualified than YOU to conduct the research that was used as a basis for his conclusions. IF YOU HAVE NEVER READ HIS BOOK; THEN WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO DISCOUNT HIS CONCLUSIONS? Making broad assumptions about racism is a BIG part of the problem. Until you’ve actually walked a mile in someone else’s shoes, don’t assume that you can CONVENIENTLY MITIGATE the wrongs they’ve suffered as a community.
Please go back and read NicoleB’s post. She brought up some very valid points. It’s erroneous to throw all African Americans in the same category because we represent various “sub cultures”; HOWEVER, RACISM IS VERY REAL AND IT HAS TOUCHED ALL OF US IN SOME FORM OR FASHION.
Furthermore, the term “African American” can also be used to describe “Caucasians” who were born and raised in Africa and immigrated to the United States and became American citizens. It would be a mistake to assume that their experiences are similar to Blacks who live in America.
My point: If someone writes a book based on qualitative or quantitative research, either can be skewed. Just because someone writes a book doesn’t make it fact, it’s based on their own research. Research can be imperfect. There are several books which “prove” the opposite.
Whether I’ve read it or not doesn’t make a difference. I’m simply saying that just because someone writes a book on a topic, especially if it’s research-based, doesn’t make it 100% true.
Don’t care if Sue is a woman or a man, does it make a difference on the quality of the book? Don’t think so.
Never said I was more qualified to conduct the research than him, did I? However I do have the right/ability to question.
Yes, Nicole B. does make very, very good points.
Yawn, I’m bored with you, in particular. Adios.
p.s. I NEVER said anything about people of color and their sufferings or lack of. As a matter of a fact, if you look at my posts, I’ve said the OPPOSITE. Don’t put words in my mouth please.
Again, won’t be looking at this rage post from here on. This isn’t about a menu anymore. But then again Lena I don’t think it ever was, was it?
go marisol!! YOU rock…
Morgs – Redeye gravy is a thin “au jus”, if you will, made from a little water in the pan and some black coffee, in the frying pan in which you fried your salt-cured ham. It would stop a clock. LOL But many people, especially old folks like my parents, think it’s nectar from the gods.
Likewise, some stuff called “pot likker/liquor”, which is the juice from the collard greens.
You dump these juices over your rice and pretty much everything else, and especially dunk your cornbread into it.
Hoppin John is just black-eyed peas (YUUUM) usually cooked with pork, served over rice. Dump your juices on this too. I make plain blackeyed peas and stick them on rice with a little salt and it’s really good all by itself.
Is this racist? HAHAHYAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAH! LOL ! 😆 hell no, are you nuts? It’s a delicious tribute to a man who loved what most people call “soul food”. I am not black and I was raised on this stuff. Had to cut out the salt pork of course though.
Anybody thinks this is racist has a corncob inserted somewhere dark. Loosen it up, it might help you out in the mornings. 😆
@ lena: Chill out. lol You really are making a mountain out of nothing. Maybe I shouldn’t have used EVERY time, just OFTEN times. How’s that? When was the last time some other race in the US has made such a public fuss over stereotypical foods for their race or a public fuss about racism in general?
There are people publicly afraid to criticize Obama for fear of being called a racist. People who take cheap shots at Michelle are not just making fun of her, but her race… First family aside, Kayne recently used the race card when being called out for wearing fur. When was the last time racism was so publicly brought up that didn’t involve AA’s? Racism certainly exists everywhere along with prejudices against gender, sexuality, etc. I just think we should choose our battles more carefully rather than getting upset at people trying to honor a race. When Chinese New Year’s comes up, I’m not going to get upset when people want to eat egg rolls, fried rice, lo mien, and crab puffs. (Cream cheese definitely isn’t from China.)
If you want to talk about people having different roots all over the place and that the foods presented on the menu do not come close to respecting the race it is supposed to represent, then it goes for all races. Fact is, many times Americans take a few qualities about certain races and Americanize it to sell in mass quantities to the general public.
Television stations aren’t exactly doing well. They may pay a few tv personalities well but they certainly don’t treat the rest of the crew with the same regard.
So please let me know what would have been an tasteful, appropriate menu??? I’m asking this because I am sincerely curious.
@ Marisol you’ve completely missed the point, i’m going to assume you didn’t read the entire thread because it is a lot of posts, lol. You don’t put in honor of black history month and serve fried chicken on the menu…we all know or should know the negative stereotypes that goes along with black people and fried chicken, think of the pictures on the interenet that popped up of Obama eating photoshopped fried chicken in his hands during his campaign, people did that to mock him as a black man (since that’s how he identifies himself) Again, this is NOT racist just in poor taste, i truly believe the cook just didn’t know any better. That’s all folks! Goodnight!
Gah! Why.
Not racist at all just down home good eating enjoy NBC wish I was there. (smacking my lips)
Not racist at all just down home good eating enjoy NBC wish I was there. (smacking my lips)
@gia:
Just a word of advice. Never post anything in cyberspace in which you are not comfortable defending. Lady, you couldn’t even keep the posters on this thread straight!!! Your reactions to my posts only displays your lack of focus and logic. You contradict yourself too much!
lin234 asks, “…what would have been an tasteful, appropriate menu???”
The same menu they have every other day, perhaps?
sneezy:
Fried chicken is a popular entree. Does this mean it shouldn’t be served for the entire month in order to honor black history month? Or should the word black and honor not be anywhere near the words fried chicken in order for this menu to be ok? I never even associated fried chicken as derogatory towards AA’s in the first place until this thread. All I’ve been aware is that AA’s in America tend to cook great soul food. I’ve never paid much attention to soul food since I’m aware a lot of it is fried and has copious amounts of butter. So what are authentic foods that AA’s associate with?
The question was asked for people going off about how this menu is in such poor taste and so on. I was asking what authentic African foods would be appropriate in order for them to feel that their race is appropriately honored. Keeping in mind it’s cafeteria food for a mass group of diverse people. Sheesh, I thought that was self explanatory.
And if they kept the menu exactly the same, I’m willing to bet there would be people complaining about how the menu is changed in honor of certain holidays and how discriminatory it would be to not do anything special for black history month. You can never win with people.
Thanks GG!! That sounds so tasty. My mouth is seriously watering.
@ lin234 “So please let me know what would have been an tasteful, appropriate menu??? ”
“Or should the word black and honor not be anywhere near the words fried chicken in order for this menu to be ok?”
you just answered your question…please read my other posts if you have time to lol, it’s alot to type over
lena- You’re completely missing the question I’ve been asking. What would a authentic AA approved menu look like, keeping in mind it’s meant for mass consumption for a diverse group of people.
If people want to be so politically correct, then perhaps fried chicken shouldn’t be served during Black History Month so that there will be no hurt feelings. This entire thing about a simple menu is so ridiculous. Save the race card for something worth fighting for.
@lin234 you still didn’t read my other posts i see…there is no such thing as “african american” food…the food on the menu is regional american food point blank, read my other posts to get a more thought out discussion about it…and the who the hell pulled the race card…you don’t even have a understanding of what that term means….”pulling” the race card means you did something to a minority because they are a minority…this situation has nothing to do with pulling a race card! it’s about stereotypes that some people have against blacks…that we all eat fried chicken and to say in honor of black history month is rubbing some people the wrong way because of the negative connotations of the steroptypes…please read my other posts as i’ve provided reasons for being able to see how that rubs people the wrong way…again the menu is not racist (so no race card pulled) but i can see how people would be upset by it. Look at the link in one of many posts to see what i’m talking about, google pics of Obama eating photoshopped fried chicken in his hands….even though he’s what from hawaii and chicago??? Get it now????? If you really want to know what some African Amercian foods are you going to have to ask an African who carried their traditions over to America and became a citizen, because “soul food” is regional food from the south. I know the chef meant no harm, but in the end she fed into a stereotype, the menu shouldn’t have been in honor of black history month. Please read my other posts if you are truly interested.
What about Barbequed Chicken and cornbread, they’re “racist” now too?