Yesterday I was sitting in class, brainstorming for this assignment the Professor had given us. Something to the effect of:
1. Brainstorm.
2. Choose your top three.
3. Show your neighbor.
The class? Women’s Studies: Special Topics in Race, Class, and Gender. The topic? Food and Cooking.
I was crafting my list of potential topics and almost everything I had written down had a personal connotation. And most had to do with Black people and food. I love Black people. We are beautiful, we are great, but that’s a whole ‘nother story, a whole ‘nother blog.
Anyway, long story short, I decided to embark on a journey – a vegetarian one. To me Black Vegetarians have always been like unicorns: they are a figment of your imagination. And if you see one, you don’t believe it. So I decided to step into this other world, for the sake of my grade. While doing so, I want to explore this “meat-free” world, the economics around it, the social factors behind it, the historical implications and how all of this maps onto the ideas of gender and race.
It’ll be fun. Or at least interesting. I will probably be hungry but yea… it should be interesting.
Firstly, I will say – Bacon, I love you and always will. Double Cheeseburger – you too. Daddy’s BBQ ribs?? You as well, will be surely missed. But after this little endeavor, I’m sure we will meet again.
Secondly, in case you haven’t noticed, this blog is called “The Occasional Organic Negro.” Some other titles I’m playing with (and may still use) are “Veggie Black,” “A Farewell to Fried Chicken,” etc. You may be offended. But guess what? I don’t care. (this is my blog, not yours). But in case you are wondering, this is why –
Occasional means of or relating to a particular state of affairs that provides grounds or reason. Which is exactly how I stumbled into this. The occasion happened to be a class project. I use organic to signify a few things: the organic food movement and and more importantly to denote that this experiment is not only one for my mind, but also of my body.
Lastly – Negro. I am black. And I realize that with the modern Civil Rights movement, the term “Negro” became outdated in favor of this term “Black.” However, this blog will explore not only a vegetarian lifestyle, but also its racial, economic, and social implications. The title therefore, speaks to the fact that Vegetarianism is a privelege - one that I believe is not always available to or sensible for African American families – for historical reasons. Negro has a negative tone because of the history behind it, but just because we choose to dissociate from history through terminology, does not mean it doesn’t exist. I instead chose to acknowledge it.
SWM
1. Brainstorm.
2. Choose your top three.
3. Show your neighbor.
The class? Women’s Studies: Special Topics in Race, Class, and Gender. The topic? Food and Cooking.
I was crafting my list of potential topics and almost everything I had written down had a personal connotation. And most had to do with Black people and food. I love Black people. We are beautiful, we are great, but that’s a whole ‘nother story, a whole ‘nother blog.
Anyway, long story short, I decided to embark on a journey – a vegetarian one. To me Black Vegetarians have always been like unicorns: they are a figment of your imagination. And if you see one, you don’t believe it. So I decided to step into this other world, for the sake of my grade. While doing so, I want to explore this “meat-free” world, the economics around it, the social factors behind it, the historical implications and how all of this maps onto the ideas of gender and race.
It’ll be fun. Or at least interesting. I will probably be hungry but yea… it should be interesting.
Firstly, I will say – Bacon, I love you and always will. Double Cheeseburger – you too. Daddy’s BBQ ribs?? You as well, will be surely missed. But after this little endeavor, I’m sure we will meet again.
Secondly, in case you haven’t noticed, this blog is called “The Occasional Organic Negro.” Some other titles I’m playing with (and may still use) are “Veggie Black,” “A Farewell to Fried Chicken,” etc. You may be offended. But guess what? I don’t care. (this is my blog, not yours). But in case you are wondering, this is why –
Occasional means of or relating to a particular state of affairs that provides grounds or reason. Which is exactly how I stumbled into this. The occasion happened to be a class project. I use organic to signify a few things: the organic food movement and and more importantly to denote that this experiment is not only one for my mind, but also of my body.
Lastly – Negro. I am black. And I realize that with the modern Civil Rights movement, the term “Negro” became outdated in favor of this term “Black.” However, this blog will explore not only a vegetarian lifestyle, but also its racial, economic, and social implications. The title therefore, speaks to the fact that Vegetarianism is a privelege - one that I believe is not always available to or sensible for African American families – for historical reasons. Negro has a negative tone because of the history behind it, but just because we choose to dissociate from history through terminology, does not mean it doesn’t exist. I instead chose to acknowledge it.
SWM
No comments:
Post a Comment