African American Holiday Traditions

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

For some things, yes, and that dates back to a combination of things:

1. African culture
2. Slavery (i.e., slaves being given the leftover or less valued parts of foods)
3. The types of foods that Blacks in the south (which has the highest population of Blacks/African Americans in the country) were able to afford because Blacks/African Americans are disproportionately poor.

That high correlation between race, cultural practices, and poverty passed down certain traditions across generations of Blacks, including Blacks who were not enslaved and who were not/are not impoverished.

I have a Healthy Soul Food cookbook that I have never used. LOL. Where is that thing?

Earlier in the thread I mentioned that my family's food traditions are often closer to my African American friends' families' traditions than my white friends' families. I believe the bold is the reason; my ancestors were primarily poor, subsistence farmers. For example, my grandmother always ate the neck of whatever poultry we had. Even when my grandparents were able to afford pretty much whatever they wanted (within reason), she kept eating what she ate growing up.

I do believe that the similarities in what all Southerners eat is due to Black women doing the cooking for the higher classes, first through slavery and then via employment as domestic help. (i.e., I've never met a southerner who didn't like fried chicken, which I believe has its roots in African food ways.)

Healthy soul food cookbook? Really?

[als463]

You know, between this thread and the thread started by PM Mama about the new show "All American Muslim" I would love to see a forum set up in chit chat about cultural awareness or something. Because I see myself as far from an expert, I would clearly not start it. I just think it's great to learn about various cultures.

[Munchkin03]

This was my first Thanksgiving with my parents since 2005. In the interim years, I've been with friends, other family members, and significant others.

My aunt prepared dinner, and the "traditional Southern/Black" foods were in full force. Collard greens, candied yams, ham, and some pork parts were at the table. It, among other things I observed, reminded me of the massive cultural difference between the sides of my family. When it's at my parents' house, there might be a small ham and no collard greens or candied yams--definitely no pig parts.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by amIblue?

Earlier in the thread I mentioned that my family's food traditions are often closer to my African American friends' families' traditions than my white friends' families. I believe the bold is the reason; my ancestors were primarily poor, subsistence farmers. For example, my grandmother always ate the neck of whatever poultry we had. Even when my grandparents were able to afford pretty much whatever they wanted (within reason), she kept eating what she ate growing up.

I do believe that the similarities in what all Southerners eat is due to Black women doing the cooking for the higher classes, first through slavery and then via employment as domestic help. (i.e., I've never met a southerner who didn't like fried chicken, which I believe has its roots in African food ways.)

I think you hit the nail on the head. I also read a lot about the connection between southern culinary traditions, Black culinary traditions, and Native American culinary traditions.

Originally Posted by amIblue?

Healthy soul food cookbook? Really?

Google "healthy soul food cookbook."

Originally Posted by als463

...I would love to see a forum set up in chit chat about cultural awareness or something.

The hundreds of GC threads created over the years are more than sufficient for GC purposes. Most of those threads were not created for the purpose of awareness and that's a good thing. I hate anything that resembles diversity training whether in real life or the Internet.

[KDCat]

Originally Posted by amIblue?

(i.e., I've never met a southerner who didn't like fried chicken, which I believe has its roots in African food ways.)

Healthy soul food cookbook? Really?

FFried chicken, like a lot of things in American culture, has its roots in both European and American culture. Fried chicken is Scottish. Scots were known for frying chicken; English people boiled or baked it. It was bland, though The Scots didn't put any spices in it. African Americans added spices and seasonings to it and made it taste a lot better.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by KDCat

FFried chicken, like a lot of things in American culture, has its roots in both European and American culture. Fried chicken is Scottish. Scots were known for frying chicken; English people boiled or baked it. It was bland, though The Scots didn't put any spices in it. African Americans added spices and seasonings to it and made it taste a lot better.

In all seriousness, *taking off my subjective hat* every group of people has spices and seasonings. I would never claim one group's spices and seasonings to be superior.

*Putting my subjective hat back on* Yeah, some spices and seasonings are better tasting. Too bad traditional "soul" food is very unhealthy (especially for a subpopulation that no longer walks hundreds of miles and works the land all day and everyday) and contributed to diabetes being considered a part of Blackness.

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Too bad traditional "soul" food is very unhealthy (especially for a subpopulation that no longer walks hundreds of miles and works the land all day and everyday) and contributed to diabetes being considered a part of Blackness.

You're lucky I'm typing because, if I had to say this statement, you wouldn't be able to understand it through my mouthful of macaroni and cheese. I know it's not really funny, but iChuckled at the thought of diabetes being part of Blackness. Call it a shame, but not even the threat of diabetes could make me put this bowl down. I only get this dish 2-3 times a year. Given there's enough butter in it to last a season, I think it's appropriate.

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

In all seriousness, *taking off my subjective hat* every group of people has spices and seasonings. I would never claim one group's spices and seasonings to be superior.

*Putting my subjective hat back on* Yeah, some spices and seasonings are better tasting. Too bad traditional "soul" food is very unhealthy (especially for a subpopulation that no longer walks hundreds of miles and works the land all day and everyday) and contributed to diabetes being considered a part of Blackness.

At the bold - I would.

But I mostly mean it in the spirit of your "subjective hat" statement, not in any kind of "culture A uses spice 1 and culture B uses spice 2, therefore spice 1 is better." That would be dumb and really poor logic.

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by KDCat

FFried chicken, like a lot of things in American culture, has its roots in both European and American culture. Fried chicken is Scottish. Scots were known for frying chicken; English people boiled or baked it. It was bland, though The Scots didn't put any spices in it. African Americans added spices and seasonings to it and made it taste a lot better.

The things you learn on GC. I had no idea that fried chicken had Scottish origins, but yuck without the spices. That's what makes it so good.