African American Foodways in American Popular Culture

A First Year Seminar: Fall 2024

Health Disparities that Contribute to African Americans Health Issues

December 10, 2024 / / 0 Comments
Obesity Statistics | July 2023 | The Barbecue Lab
Picture of obesity rates by race on a bar graph https://thebarbecuelab.com/obesity-statistics/

People of color are known for having the highest rate of heath conditions, African Americans sitting at the top of this list. When starting this project I knew I wanted to talk about African Americans being unhealthy. But most of what Professor Johnsons class discussed was how harmful soul food was to an African American diet. But my family and I don’t eat soul food so my question became what factors contribute to African Americans being unhealthy? I found many factors that play a role in unhealthiness but the two that I feel are the most important are the cultural significance of the diet and the limited representation of health and healthy foods.  

When researching the cultural significance of the diet, I read a book by Michelle Gourdine called  Reclaiming Our Health: A Guide to African American Wellness. This book explains that dinner is deeply ingrained in African American traditions and is connected with community, identity, and family. We see this shown in a show called black-ish. It revolves around the Johnson family and how they navigate personal, familial, and sociopolitical issues, particularly in trying to reconcile their desire to stay true to their black identities with their choice to live in a wealthy, suburban white neighborhood. In this show, there are many scenes where the family shares a meal at the dinner table and discusses various things, going from celebrations to family arguments. All of their interactions at the dinner table bring them closer together. 

Picture of the Johnson family https://www.deviantart.com/vampiressrina/art/Black-ish-S05-Folder-Icon-PNG-ICO-768109405
Video showing how grandma Ruby Johnsons food makes everyone at the table happy and wanting to eat it in abundance.

ABC clips, Blackish Thanksgiving Special Clip, Youtube, 2014,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia_EoXiJT8w

When focusing on the limited representation of health and healthy foods I could easily understand why this was a factor. Personally, I believe this is one of the biggest factors because people are going to act on the things that they see online. During my research, Patricia Young article Perceptions of Obese African American Women Regarding Altering Traditional Soul Food Preparation explained that women believed that the foods they ate were a social norm. Even if they wanted to break the cycle and eat healthier, the normalization of unhealthy food consumption was too strong to allow lasting dietary changes. When looking at the factors that lead to unhealthiness this one resinates with me the most. I love to cook so I watch a lot of cooking videos and shows. When I scroll through TikTok many black content creators are posting recipes of delicious-looking food that make me want to try it. The only problem is that many of the foods being made are full of fats, sodium, and sugar. All of which are detrimental to one’s health.

@rinzayrose

delecioussss chicken cajun pasta 😋🍝 #cajunpasta #pasta #creamycajunpasta #foodtiktok #EasyRecipe #Recipe #cajun #alfredopasta #cajunalfredo #cookwithme #andouillepasta #fyp #fyp

♬ original sound – OJ The DJ
Video showing a Cajun Pasta recipe @rinzayrose
@_asiag

Knowing how to cook is honestly a flex..idk idk #fyp #foryou #soulfood #ribs #xcyzba #blacktiktok

♬ whats luv – s
Video showing soul food made from the heart @_asiag

Similar to the TikTok videos there are many cooking shows with African American chefs explaining how to make incredible dishes but all of the dishes have unhealthy ingredients. If there is no representation of healthy foods on the apps that people are frequently looking at, it is not likely that individuals will decide to start a diet, and even if they do start a diet it will be extremely hard to maintain long-term because the internet is providing delicious looking unhealthy recipes. One example of this is The Delicious Miss Brown Cooking Show


Pictures of Miss Brown

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10580138/ (left) https://charlestonmag.com/features/15_minutes_with_kardea_brown (right)

If there is no representation of healthy foods on the apps that people are frequently looking at, it is not likely that individuals will decide to start a diet, and even if they do start a diet it will be extremely hard to maintain long-term because the internet is providing delicious looking unhealthy recipes. 

Work Cited

ABC clips, Blackish Thanksgiving Special Clip, Youtube, 2014,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia_EoXiJT8w

@_asiag. “Video Title or Description.” TikTok, uploaded by @_asiag, 10 Nov. 2023, www.tiktok.com/@_asiag/video/7323111917973671211?lang=en.

Brown, Kardea. “15 Minutes with Kardea Brown.” Charleston Magazine, 1 Dec. 2023, www.charlestonmag.com/features/15_minutes_with_kardea_brown.

Food Network.Kardea Brown’s Country-Fried Steak with Gravy,YouTube, uploaded by Food Network, 2023, www.youtube.comhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfb7WAD8ML4

Gourdine, Michelle. Reclaiming Our Health: A Guide to African American Wellness. One World, 2009.

@rinzayrose. “Video Title or Description.” TikTok, uploaded by @rinzayrose, 24 Oct. 2023, www.tiktok.com/@rinzayrose/video/7444257184969428255?lang=en.

“The Obesity Statistics You Should Know.” The Barbecue Lab, The Barbecue Lab, 2023, www.thebarbecuelab.com/obesity-statistics/.

The Outsider. IMDb, 2020, www.imdb.com/title/tt10580138/.

VampiressRina. Black-ish S05 Folder Icon PNG/ICO. DeviantArt, 17 May 2020, www.deviantart.com/vampiressrina/art/Black-ish-S05-Folder-Icon-PNG-ICO-768109405.

Young, Patricia A. “Perceptions of Obese African American Women Regarding Altering Traditional Soul Food Preparation.” Journal of the National Medical Association, vol. 97, no. 6, 2005, pp. 825-830. 

From Frogs to Gumbo: Analyzing Symbolism in The Princess and the Frog

December 10, 2024 / / 0 Comments

By Elizabeth Quartey

In the world of fairy tales, symbolism often molds the meaning of the tale. In the Brothers Grimm’s The Frog Prince, the frog represents transformation, abundance, and connection to the earth’s riches. Disney’s The Princess and the Frog cleverly adjusts this symbolism, using gumbo in its stead, an African American dish. By examining the parallels between the frog in the original tale and gumbo in the Disney adaptation, we can see how African American food serves as both a cultural anchor and a metaphor for transformation and success. 

Tiana and the Prince stand by the bayou river edge, holding hands under the oak tree as the two frogs (Tiana and the Prince) watch.

Frogs symbolize the earth and its fruitfulness. In many cultures, frogs represent abundance, wisdom, and the changing of seasons. Their presence in fairy tales usually represents prosperity, reminding the readers of the fundamental harmony of nature. In The Frog Prince, the frog becoming a prince highlights the value of looking beyond appearances to find hidden value. Similarly, in The Princess and the Frog, gumbo represents a blending of simple ingredients into something comforting, symbolizing the prosperity that comes from being in a community.

Gumbo’s history mirrors this theme of transformation. As Michael Twitty explains in The Cooking Gene, gumbo originated in West Africa, where enslaved Africans introduced okra to the Americas. Over many generations, gumbo turned into a dish that reflects the diversity of New Orleans, using African, Indigenous, and Spanish influences. Serious Eats highlights how different types of gumbo like seafood, chicken, and sausage, thickened with okra, roux, or filé powder speak to its adaptability. Each version implies resourcefulness and resilience, much like the frog’s journey from amphibian to prince.

In The Princess and the Frog, gumbo is essential to Tiana’s aspirations. Gumbo represents her connection to her family, as well as her dreams of owning a restaurant. The scene where young Tiana cooks gumbo with her father perfectly encapsulates this symbolism. Her act of cooking becomes a way of envisioning a hopeful future.

The parallels between gumbo and the frog deepen when viewed through the lens of the original story The Frog Prince. Just as the frog’s transformation requires the princess to embrace what she initially rejects, gumbo’s beauty lies in its ability to turn simple, overlooked ingredients into something extraordinary. The moral of both stories is clear: true value often lies in the unassuming and the overlooked. By embracing these elements, both the princess and Tiana achieve success.The choice to center gumbo in The Princess and the Frog carries significant cultural weight. Historically, African American cuisine has been made into caricatured, but the Disney film treats gumbo with respect. Parasecoli notes that this portrayal was almost unheard of, offering a positive narrative that celebrates Black foods as creative and even appetizing. Gumbo becomes a metaphor, much like the frog in the original tale.

Works Cited:

Huggins, Alissa. “The Spiritual Meaning of Frogs.” Well+Good, 15 Mar. 2023, www.wellandgood.com/spiritual-meaning-frogs/#:~:text=Many%E2%80%94but%20not%20all%E2%80%94cultures,a%20good%20omen%2C%20signaling%20prosperity.

Grimm, Jacob, and Wilhelm Grimm. The Frog King, or Iron Henry. Translated by Edgar Taylor, Project Gutenberg, 2008, www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14562.


Parasecoli, Fabio. “A Taste of Louisiana: Mainstreaming Blackness Through Food in The Princess and the Frog.” Journal of African American Studies, vol. 14, no. 4, Dec. 2010, pp. 450-468. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-010-9137-y.


Citation: Twitty, Michael W. The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African American Culinary History in the Old South. HarperCollins, 2017.


Serious Eats. “The History of New Orleans Gumbo: Okra, File Powder, and Beyond.” Serious Eats, 18 Dec. 2020, www.seriouseats.com/history-new-orleans-gumbo-okra-file-powder. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024


The Princess and the Frog. Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, Walt Disney Pictures, 2009.

Is a Plant Based Diet Really Attainable In Low Income Communities?

December 10, 2024 / / 0 Comments

While plant based diets (vegetarianism/veganism) seem like a more accessible option, the economic and resource availability make it difficult for people who come from low income communities. Growing up in Spanish Harlem I never really saw anyone like me having a plant based diet. I thought it was a “white people” thing. But as I learned about veganism in my college course On African American food in American pop culture I realized that vegetarianism and veganism is not just for a specific group of people.Through my research I realized how challenging it could be to start a new diet based on your socioeconomic class and food access. This blog will discuss if a plant based diet is truly accessible in low income communities.

After doing my research I realized that this regimen is not something you could easily switch to overnight, unless you have the time and money to make it happen. In low income communities like Spanish Harlem there are a lot of challenges. There are fast food chains, family owned businesses, and bodegas. Neighborhoods that contain these businesses are usually called “food swamps” or “food deserts” due to the lack of fresh produce. This map that I found in the blog Mapping Food Deserts (and Swamps) in Manhattan and the Bronx helps give a visual of how there is almost no access to healthy food. 

This map demonstrates three different zip codes with the lowest incomes in New York. This also demonstrates how it is more affordable and convenient to get fast food or processed foods. Black and Latino people are the groups of people mainly living in these areas where temptation is almost everywhere. 

In the video, youtuber Darryl Williams gives an overview of Spanish Harlem. As I was watching the youtube video I noticed that in the area that he recorded there was at least a bodega or a fast food place nearby. He also only mentions one place in Harlem so I can only assume that there are limited stores that support plant based diets. What I did find surprising was that there was a vegan store in my own neighborhood. 

Another challenge is culture. In my Mexican family, food is a part of our identity similar to Black people and Soul Food. However, if I decide to adopt a vegan or vegetarian diet I would most likely face resistance from my family. 

 

Social media influencer Tracye McQuirter https://www.instagram.com/byanygreens?igsh=bWtpdnRlcG03amFh

These two influencers on the other hand make it seem like a plant based diet is easy. Just briefly looking at their instagram and TikTok pages it seems as though they are from a different socioeconomic background. They probably have time, resources, and money to make this regimen seem possible. Which for people in low income areas, though, the reality is different. 

While the idea of eating healthier seems great, it is not as simple as it seems. But I do think change is possible although I know it can take time. For now, I am still figuring out how to balance my interest in a plant based diet while living in a food-scare environment.

 

 

 

 

Work Cited:

Casmitjana, Jordi. “Why African American Women Are Going Vegan in Droves.” UnchainedTV, 29 Feb. 2024, unchainedtv.com/2024/02/29/why-african-american-women-are-going-vegan-in-droves/.

McQuirter, Tracye. Instagram, www.instagram.com/byanygreens?igsh=bWtpdnRlcG03amFh. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Williams , Darryl. “NYC Neighborhood Tours | East Harlem x Uptown Veg (Vegan Food).” YouTube, 2021, youtu.be/o_WYrMHmx_s?si=tMuz5ordsS0YcWkM.

Young, Nzinga. “Make Your Day.” TikTok, www.tiktok.com/@veganzinga?_t=ZT-8s5PB6fojSl&_r=1. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Afro-Caribbean and African American Food Festivals

December 10, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Food Festivals hold memories and allow food traditions to be cherished and kept. African American and Caribbean food festival share historical history and allow people to come together to celebrate the history and the importance of food. These festivals are a representation of what African Americans and Caribbeans have eaten and cherished for generations. African Americans valuing soul food while Caribbeans carried on the traditions of eating sea food and fruits. It can be said that both of these traditional dishes owe their origins to the dark history of slavery. History has allowed for Afro- Caribbeans and African Americans to continue and share their food traditions with one another for generations upon generations. And one way that they have been able to share their culture is through food festivals.

Food Festivals: Bermuda                                                                     

May is  the month of celebration for Bermudians where they celebrate their food and show appreciation for all aspects of their culture.  Bermuda Day became an official holiday for Afro-Bermudians was 1979 of May. Bermuda Day is marking the unofficial start of summer and is the day to commemorate the increase of the temperature.  However food is a prominent figure in Bermudian festivals. Food such as fish chowder, fish cakes and rum cakes are what’s mainly served and savored at festivals. Considering the fact that the drinking age in

Bermuda is eighteen there are dishes such as rum cake that  most are

allowed to have. Alon with food there are Gombeys, a traditional Bermudian dance that highlights traditional African, Caribbean, British and Native American cultures. This style of dance includes mask and drums that helps allow Afro-Bermudians express their identity.

Bermuda Day

2024 Bermuda Tourism Authority

 

 

Food Festivals: African Americans

African American food festivals have become a fundamental part of African American history for generations. One festival in particular is the Pittsburg Soul Food Festival. The tradition of soul food has been passed down through generations through festivals, Christmas, thanksgiving and cookouts. Soul food typically consists of collard greens, fried chicken, corn bread, and macaroni and cheese. While Bermuda Day is an old tradition, soul food festivals are relatively new. Pittsburg Soul Food Festival started in 2019, and the festival has become increasingly popular since then, with thousands of people attending each year. As a celebration of Black culture, the Pittsburgh Soul Food Festival has become a destination for tourists around the world. At these soul food festivals there is live music, barbeque contest, vendors and crafts.

 

 Afro-Caribbean and African American festivals There are many similarities and many differences between Bermudan and African American food festivals. Both festivals feature traditional cuisine, music, and dance. However, the Bermudan festival is more organized and structured, while the African American festival is more informal and spontaneous. Food in Bermudian festivals heavily consists of sea food and fresh fruit as well as many different other cultural foods. Food and culture are celebrated at both festivals.

Spiny lobster on a plate

© 2024 Celebrity Cruises®, Inc. Ships’ Registry: Malta and Ecuador.

           Gombeys In Action 

Bermuda Day: Our History, Our Culture | by eye-sha | Medium

https://www.facebook.com/corpstgeorge/videos/st-georges-seafood-festivalwhenseptember-17-2023-until-september-17-2023from-120/328759666215677/

The inaugural Soulful Taste of the Burgh drew big crowds Downtown in 2019

                                                                                           90.5 WESA | By Bill O’Driscoll
                                                                               Published September 1, 2021 at 2:30 PM EDT

Work Cited

Festivals & holidays. (n.d.). Go to Bermuda. https://www.gotobermuda.com/our-island/festivals-holidays

Graham, L. (2024, September 12). Learning to love soul food. Southern Living. https://www.southernliving.com/culture/learning-to-love-soul-food

 

The Boondocks Representation of Health Issues Caused by Soul Food

December 10, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Soul food has been engrained in African American culture from times of enslavement to modern day, representing family, growth, and entrepreneurship. African Americans have taken the scraps of food they were left with and added seasoning and all kinds of flavor until it was food that was eaten to celebrate and to build wealth. There were a multitude of soul food restaurants, street carts, and even rent parties (parties that required an entry fee and would often include soul food and music) that African Americans used to fund their lives.

Aaron McGruder, Creator and Executive Producer “The Boondocks” (Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic)

Despite all the good things that soul food has done for the African American community, there are many downsides. Health wise, soul food is filled with high amounts of salt, sugar, and salt and can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and lead to a stroke. Other downsides are about what it means for Black identity. Elijah Muhammad, leader of Black Muslims at the time who was known for being against soul food said, “African Americans learned a destructive culture from an oppressive white Christian power structure during slavery” (Opie, Food Rebels)​. Muhammad believed that the continued eating of soul food was creating a Black genocide as African Americans were slowly dying from an abundance of health issues​. 

In this blog, I will be discussing The Boondocks, season 1, episode 10: The Itis. The main family is Robert Freeman, the grandfather; Huey Freeman and Riley Freeman, his grandkids. They are a Black family in a very white suburban neighborhood.  “The Itis” starts off with Robert making Sunday dinner, which consisted of large amounts of soul food and put everyone at dinner, except for Huey (who had only eaten vegetables), to sleep. Robert was given the opportunity to run his own soul food restaurant which only served soul food in its unhealthiest form and put everyone who ate it to sleep. The restaurant very negatively affected the community before it was shut down: people lost their jobs, crime rates skyrocketed, violence ensued. At the end of the episode, the family takes their Sunday dinners from copious amounts of soul food to a healthy balanced meal that doesn’t make people fall asleep immediately after.

A clip from The Boondocks: The Itis. Time: 10:54-12:05

How to Eat to Live by Elijah Muhammad is mentioned​. I believe this to be suggesting veganism as a possible solution to an abundance of health issues in the Black community,​ which is supported by Huey who had only eaten vegetables at the first family dinner and had not been put to sleep.

Ignorance to these health issues is also seen: Big Mama died because of her frequently eating soul food, yet her family continues to eat the same food that killed her. Some African Americans are resistant to changing what they love even when it’ll better their lives.

A clip from The Boondocks: The Itis. Time: 16:00-16:37

Huey is telling his grandfather that a culture that enables these health issues and the tearing down of a once thriving community couldn’t possibly be good or a marker of Black identity. It is destructive.​

We also hear of soul food’s history and connection to slavery. This is the reason many people who are anti-soul food, specifically Black Muslims, don’t feel a loss of identity when they stop eating soul food.

Works Cited

Picture of Aaron McGruder: Creator: Michael Tran Archive | Credit: FilmMagic

Opie, Food Rebels​: https://lms.dickinson.edu/pluginfile.php/1991504/course/section/290174/Opie%20-%20Food%20Rebels.pdf​

The Boondocks, The Itis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kuerIkiOsw

Boxed vs. Traditional Mac & Cheese: Convenience Overtaking Authenticity

December 9, 2024 / / 0 Comments

By: Audrey Carr

Patti Labelle: Mac and Cheese

Thomas, Whitney. “Patti LaBelle Shares Her Secret to Feeling Youthful.” Oprah Daily, https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/a36635489/patti-labelle-singer-songwriter-interview/ 

In 1960, Patti Labelle made mac and cheese on “Oprah.” She was showcasing her cookbook, Labelle Cuisine. The story behind this dish comes from her background as a singer. She performed in London with pianist Elton John and invited him for a meal, one of her signature dishes being mac and cheese.

https://www.doordash.com/products/pattis-good-life-mac-cheese-cheddar-monterey-jack-cheeses-30-oz/urpc_04a3ed01-60f5-443a-bc72-ecfbc3d35199

In 2015, her sweet potato dish became increasingly popular as she started selling them in stores like Walmart. After the success of this dish, she began selling her mac and cheese, now her best seller. African American singer and songwriter Patti Labelle has served as more than just an icon in America’s pop culture; she has influenced various people from different cultures and ethnicities through the success and affordability of her mac and cheese. The recipes used in her brand reflect broader social and cultural meanings beyond her personal identity. 

Click here to view works cited

Picture yourself indulging in a spoonful of piping hot mac and cheese. The dish melts away worries and provides warmth from the inside. It feels like a hug of creamy satisfaction, whether you’re at home or at a restaurant with a large group. Savor this moment and discover a sense of nostalgia.

A pivotal moment in my life and many others was the COVID-19 pandemic. Eating habits became familiar due to the boredom and isolation people faced. In this time of uncertainty, people, including myself, sought reassurance and comfort. The success of boxed mac and cheese brands skyrocketed. Brands like Kraft reflect African American foodways through themes of comfort and cultural adaptation. Kraft CEO Miguel Patricio notes that “sales rose 4.8% to $26.2 billion in 2020 after sinking 4.9% in 2019.” Although the brand continues to shift the look of its boxes to draw in consumers, the affordability of the box remains constant.

Graphic shows the history of the Kraft box and how it has evolved over time

Sandra. “Marvelous Macaroni & Cheese.” Life in Simple, https://lifeinsimple.com/marvelous-macaroni-cheese/ 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pack-of-2-Kraft-Mac-Cheese-Macaroni-and-Cheese-Dinner-SpongeBob-SquarePants-5-5-oz-Box/5857128326 

https://stopandshop.com/product/kraft-original-flavor-macaroni-cheese-dinner-microwaveable-cup-2.05-oz-cup/140511 

https://www.kraftmacandcheese.com/products/00021000017218-original-mac-cheese-macaroni-and-cheese-dinner-with-whole-grain-pasta/

In addition to the success of the boxed brands, restaurants have adapted from mac and cheese, which is known as a simple easy dish, to a luxury dish appearing on menus. I enjoy dining out because of the atmosphere and sophisticated options. Fine dining is moving toward sophisticated comfort food meals that appeal to emotions. For example, Restaurants in New York, such as Balducci’s, have chef Katy Sparks making green chile macaroni with a cornmeal crust. It is possible to view the blending of contemporary goods with traditional African American cooking methods as a way to adapt and preserve cultural customs.

Brands like Kraft have refined traditional mac and cheese authenticity and have progressively become more modernized. The price and mass marketing have made it overwhelmingly accessible, ultimately reshaping what many people think is authentic mac and cheese. However, the effort to preserve or elevate mac and cheese continues in restaurants and among African American entrepreneurs. Mass produced meals such as Kraft mac and cheese have become constantly in demand throughout the years, the genuinity of traditional mac and cheese recipes are still very much beloved, giving consumers a personalized taste of the food we know all too well. 

December 9, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Vegan soul food is taking on the role of being more than just a trend; it is becoming a way of life that changes the way we think about our health and the planet. As I started to see all of the environmental impacts stemmed from traditional soul food, I discovered how plant-based alternatives can step in to help reduce harm while preserving all of the delicious cultural flavors. I later found a super popular spot in Portland, Sweetpea Baking Company, that seems to be leading the movement with delicious vegan soul food that celebrates African American culinary heritage and promotes a more sustainable future.

 

Image result for sweatpea baking company menu

https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.9VjeOaPW_FBACM7D5q23TAHaE8?w=249&h=180&c=7&r=0&o=5&dpr=1.5&pid=1.7

In Portland, Oregon, Sweetpea Baking Company brings new life to classic soul foods using plant-based ingredients. They create the beloved comfort food without animal products in baked goods meals like, fried chicken, mac and cheese, and collard greens just to name a few. This helps African Americans take that step toward addressing the health issues linked to meat-heavy soul food diets, while still preserving culture. In addition to health benefits, vegan soul food offers a powerful solution to environmental challenges.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R5owyyMsz0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R5owyyMsz0

This video How Animal Agriculture is Destroying Our Planet looks at the environmental impacts of animal agriculture, making it a no brainer that we need a solution, fast. Animal agriculture causes climate change, deforestation, pollution, and water depletion. Additionally, animal farming produces more greenhouse gas emissions than all of the world’s cars, planes, and trains combined. In choosing plant-based meals, we can reduce our carbon footprint and ease the pressure that is being put on natural resources. Along with decreasing animal agriculture, Sweetpea Baking Company is helping with this by sourcing ingredients locally, reducing waste production with eco-friendly packaging, and keeping the overall environmental impact of their food production as low as possible.

Sweetpea Baking Company combines African American culinary pride with a commitment to sustainability, providing a solution benefiting the community and the environment. Through plant-based cooking, local sourcing, and other sustainable practices, they’re helping people see that choosing vegan is beneficial for both your health and the environment.

In conclusion, vegan soul food is a win-win, supporting your health and the planet. Companies and Restaurants like Sweetpea Baking Company are showing how vegan soul food can be a powerful tool for change, mixing cultural pride with environmental responsibility. By adopting vegan soul food, we’re not just protecting our health, we’re also protecting the future of our planet.

Works Cited

“Sweetpea Baking Company ” About.” Sweetpea Baking Company RSS, sweetpeabaking.com/?page_id=2. Accessed 09 Dec. 2024. 

“How Animal Agriculture Is Destroying Our Planet.” YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R5owyyMsz0. Accessed 09 Dec. 2024.

Https://Www.Bing.Com/Th?id=OIP.HShT4QohjVDDHwwwIiX…, www.bing.com/th?id=OIP.HShT4QohjVDDHwwwIiXWuQHaE1&pid=Api&rs=1. Accessed 09 Dec. 2024.

Are Vegans Really That Annoying?

December 9, 2024 / / 0 Comments

“Research has shown that only drug addicts inspire the same degree of loathing (as vegans)”

Zaria Gorvett

As a multiethnic man growing up in Los Angeles, I was accustomed to both the street vendors selling tacos out of a tent and the whole foods across the street that sold outrageously expensive ingredients for people with any form of alternate diet. To me, veganism was just another one of those diets that my family and I deemed as “white people stuff.”

An exterior shot of Burrito King on Sunset Boulevard
The taco spot in my neighborhood featured in https://lataco.com/best-tacos-echo-park

Whole Foods opens first 365 store in Silver Lake - L.A. Business First
The whole foods 365 right down the block
https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2016/05/26/whole-foods-opens-first-365-store-in-silver-lake.html

Professor Lynn Johnsons class is the first time I introspectively challenged this belief as I learned about the history of African American food and culture. We started off by analyzing the origins of soul food where I learned about how soul dishes were ingeniously crafted from the leftover scraps which enslaved Africans struggled to acquire. 

I then learned about the power connected to soul food and how it acted as a catalyst for bringing the black community together. During the Great Depression, The famous preacher and entrepreneur Father Major Jealous Divine served soul food at his sermons, drawing crowds for both his speeches and the communal meals. During the Civil Rights Movement, Peaches Soul Restaurant became a safe haven, providing food and shelter to activists. Even today, events like the Muskogee Soul Food Cookout in Oklahoma and the Chitlin’ Strut in South Carolina celebrate this shared heritage. 

THIS PAST STRUT

The 54th Annual Chitlin Strut in South Carolina (Click to see more)

Moving forward, we learned about the dangers of modern day soul food as recipes use tons of fats, oils, and preservatives causing the black community to be disproportionally affected by health defects. In Soul Food Junkies The documentary highlights that “The incidence of pancreatic cancer is 50-90% higher in African-Americans than any other race in the U.S.” (Soul Food Junkies 0:45:21). To combat these health issues, many African Americans donned a vegan diet which has been scientifically proven to lower the risk of different heart problems. Sadly, these same people who simply seek to improve the health of themselves and their communities are often shunned for a variety of reasons. Firstly, many members of the black community feel a disconnect from their vegan peers since they see a vegan diet as rejecting historically black food and traditions. Secondly, many vegans are perceived as stuck up. As time goes on, the evidence of animal mistreatment and the health benefits associated with veganism get more and more solidified and as a result, we view vegans who make a choice that we are not willing to make as irritating. Essentially, we view vegans as disconnected from our culture (white) and annoying/in our face (that vegan teacher).

Above is a popular soul food influencer making a classic soul dish of buttery cornbread, Deep fried chicken, and oily side dishes. Note the number of unhealthy aspects in this meal.

This reputation could not be further from the truth. 

Did you know that Colin Kaepernick, Kyrie Irving, Serena and Venus Williams, Steve Harvey, Jay Z, and A$AP Rocky are all vegan. Probably not. All of these black celebrities’ and many more defy the stereotype while spreading their beneficial ethical and moral beliefs to anyone open to receiving them.

3 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TRY BEYONCE'S 22 DAY COACHELLA NUTRITION PLAN — Sound Nutrition
Beyoncé & JayZ team up with renowned health expert Marco Borges to make a vegan lifestyle more accessible to the public
Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets donates 200,000 impossible burgers during covid to combat food insecurity
Ben & Jerry's launches new vegan flavour in honour of Colin Kaepernick | The Independent
Colin Kaepernick teams up with Ben and Jerry’s to bring a vegan ice cream to a broad consumer base.

So next time you see a vegan dish, feel free to try it without magically becoming white or annoying.

Works Cited

Abraham, Ellie. “Ben & Jerry’s Launches New Vegan Flavour in Honour of Colin Kaepernick.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 20 Apr. 2021, www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/ben-jerrys-colin-kaepernick-ice-cream-b1834563.html.

Adame, Noe. “The Five Best Tacos in Echo Park ~ L.A. Taco.” ~ L.A. TACO, 23 Jan. 2024, lataco.com/best-tacos-echo-park.

Borges, Marco. “The 22 Days Nutrition Meal Planner.” The 22 Days Nutrition Meal Planner, mealplanner.22daysnutrition.com/. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Camirra’s Kitchen. “SOUL FOOD THE RIGHT WAY! Buttermilk Fried Chicken | Mac & Cheese | Candied Yams Recipe.” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc7cXJaMkao. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Jackson, James S, et al. “Race and Unhealthy Behaviors: Chronic Stress, the HPA Axis, and Physical and Mental Health Disparities over the Life Course.” American Journal of Public Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2010, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2853611/#:~:text=RACIAL%20AND%20ETHNIC%20HEALTH%20DISPARITIES&text=For%20example%2C%20Black%20women%20are,expectancy%20of%20only%2066%20years.

Kasabian, Paul. “Nets’ Kyrie Irving Donates 200k ‘beyond Burgers’ to NYC Food Bank amid Covid-19.” Bleacher Report, Bleacher Report, 27 Mar. 2020, bleacherreport.com/articles/2883430-nets-kyrie-irving-donates-200k-beyond-burgers-to-nyc-food-bank-amid-covid-19.

Thomas, Kimber. “Peaches Restaurant.” Southern Foodways Alliance, 18 Sept. 2019, www.southernfoodways.org/interview/peaches-restaurant/.

Town of Salley. “54th Annual Chitlin Strut.” Town of Salley, chitlinstrut.com/this-past-strut. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

“Whole Foods Opens First 365 Store in Silver Lake.” Bizjournals.Com, www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2016/05/26/whole-foods-opens-first-365-store-in-silver-lake.html. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

In Joking Color, How black comedians and writers joke about black food in ways others can’t.

December 9, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Coby McClellan

Its a cannon event in the young black experience to be in a room full of people and a non black person tries to make a joke about black people and the joke leaves you in such a state of confusion like Dave Chapelle says in the video above at the 0:23 second mark “God damn that was racist”. After having this phenomenon happen to me multiple times in my life, I decide that there has to be some sort of explanation behind this. So I decide to research.

“https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku3tawvMbxE&t=26s“
“https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dangerous-jokes-claire-horisk/1144217936“

In my research I first had to specify the question, what was I asking? This made me look back at every time I experienced being uncomfortable in a room from a joke and I realized something… they were all food jokes. So came to my question “Who can joke about whose food? What makes a good or bad food joke?”. I consulted the book Dangerous Jokes: How Racism and Sexism Weaponize humor. by Claire Horisk, in this novel she introduces a thesis that have seemingly completed my life. That being the wrong joker thesis.The wrong joker thesis states that the person that is making the joke is essentially not qualified to be making the joke about the group of people they are making a joke about. It is like a veil had been lifted off of my heart. Countless amount of fried chicken jokes in the cafe by unfunny white people led to this moment I achieved when I read this book. But there was still something about joking about black people’s food. Its almost like an art only a few can do.

“According to the *plan* , all we got to eat is Cheerios and green beans. So once again, your plan sucks.[ to Leonard ] You got a bacon cheeseburger?”- Robert ‘Granddad Freeman

McGruder,Aaron.The Boondocks. “Fried Chicken Flu”. Cartoon Network, Adult Swim

The Boondocks written by Aaron McGruder is a perfect example of not just good tv, but why who is making a joke matters. Time after time he showed the ability to joke about things white tv executives would touch with a 10 foot poll attached to a token black character. Which really highlighted to me the fact that there has to be context behind what you are joking about and that you need that knowledge to be funny. This made me put it all together, the reason those jokes made me so uncomfortable is the fact that those people who made them jokes don’t have the same attachment to those things making it seem like hate.

“https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeQ0zm-njyQ&t=4s“

Works Cited

“Dave Chapelle Black people and Chicken!” Youtube, uploaded by Chulbulhere, 1 Nov. 2013,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku3tawvMbxE&t=26s

“Dave Chappelle If You Don’t Like Chicken or Watermelon Something is Wrong With You!” Youtube, uploaded by MrOlamide95, 22 Jun. 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeQ0zm-njyQ

Horisk, Claire.  Dangerous Jokes: How Racism and Sexism Weaponize humor. February 22, 2024, Oxford University Press.

McGruder,Aaron.The Boondocks. “Fried Chicken Flu”. Cartoon Network, Adult Swim

How Veganism Has Become Acceptable In African American Culture: By Kaitlyn Trogner

December 9, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Vegan Burrito 🙂

Aquino, Leonardo. “Delicious Grilled Burrito with Crispy Toppings.” Pexels, https://www.pexels.com/photo/delicious-grilled-burrito-with-crispy-toppings-29007123/

 

Veganism has been a controversial diet for a very long time, especially in African American culture. Thie controversary began because the field “was dominated by wealthy, white woman” (Zoledziowsi). For African Americans to begin accepting veganism, representation has been shown to be important as a blogger from Eater, Amriah Mercer, has shared how she became interested in a vegan diet. This happened when she saw an episode of Oprah Winfrey’s show talking about veganism. Not only that but when she finally saw a wide range of cookbooks written by African Americans and African American influencers who were also pursuing a vegan diet, she also realized her culture could still be represented by the amazing cuisine. The wide range of vegan content creators Mercer mentions such as @crushfoster and @sophia_roe and celebrities like Jay Z and Beyonce makes people feel they can be a part of the vegan world as well.

Author of “The Sistah Vegan Project” website Dr. a Breeze Harper also believes cookbooks provide important representation for vegans; a great number of vegan cookbooks are created by white people and essentially for white people which can alter the way people think about veganism (Harper 161-63). This is because the cookbooks “rarely, if ever, acknowledge such differing socio-historically racialized epistemologies between the white racial status quo and the collectivity of people of color in the USA” (Harper 163). Harper shares how there are not enough people of color online and in books showing how to be vegan when one may have accessibility issues. White people have been shown to not have as many accessibility issues than African Americans, so they can be a poor representation for this diet. However, when more African Americans represent this diet and its economic viability, it allows for a new light to be shed on it: people realize that anyone with different cultures, backgrounds and incomes can be vegan too.

Picture of Dr. A. Breeze Harper’s Blog. Black Zeyphr, Inc. 9, Dec. 2024, A. Breeze Harper

 

Veganism is also known to be more accepted when people realize the amazing health benefits from it. When I came across a popular, vegan influencer on YouTube, Tabitha Brown, I believed she was perfect representation for African Americans who want to become vegan. Tabitha Brown became vegan for health reasons: when she was younger, she had horrible neck and head pain for a year and seven months (2:48-6:00). Eventually she came across veganism as a possible solution for these issues, so she attempted to pursue a vegan diet for 30 days. Her pain disappeared on day 10. Day 10!! Now she has been vegan for a long time and continues pursuing the diet because of the amazing health benefits she has experienced. Veganism has helped Tabitha Brown live a better life in more ways we can guess, all to the health benefits it can offer people.

 

Below is a video where Brown explains her reasoning for becoming a vegan. I recommend watching from 4:00-6:00.


GoodFul. Why I Went Vegan: Tabitha Brown. (2020, April 17). [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czzktlf07qw&t=248s

Veganism has been ignored for various years, but people can truly thrive off it! Maybe you will pursue a vegan diet later in your life because you see a broad representation of vegans growing and know your culture can be a part of it as well… AND it can help people become healthier.

Works Cited

Aquino, Leonardo. “Delicious Grilled Burrito with Crispy Toppings.” Pexels, https://www.pexels.com/photo/delicious-grilled-burrito-with-crispy-toppings-29007123/

GoodFul. Why I Went Vegan: Tabitha Brown. (2020, April 17). [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czzktlf07qw&t=248s

Harper, A. Breeze. Taking Food Public: Redefining Foodways in a Changing World, Chapter 12: Going Beyond the Normative White “Post-Racial” Vegan Epistemology. Edited by Carole Counihan and Psyche Williams-Forson, Routledge: Taylor and Francis Group, 2012.

Mercer, Amirah. “A Homecoming.” Eater, Vox Media, 14 January 2021, https://www.eater.com/22229322/black-veganism-history-black-panthers-dick-gregory-nation-of-islam-alvenia-fulton. Accessed 20 November 2024.

Picture of Dr. A. Breeze Harper’s Blog. Black Zeyphr, Inc. 9, Dec. 2024, A. Breeze Harper

Zoledziowski, Anya. “Dear White Vegans, Stop Appropiating Food.” VICE, VICE Media, 13 August 2020, https://www.vice.com/en/article/dear-white-vegans-stop-appropriating-food/. Accessed 7 December 2024.

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