Calif. School Apologizes For Black History Lunch Menu

[Tennesseer]

And the stereotyping just goes on and on.  What were those ultimately in charge of approving the school menu thinking?

Calif. School Apologizes For Black History Lunch Menu

CONCORD, Calif. — Officials at a Northern California private school are apologizing after a lunch menu option to celebrate Black History Month angered some parents and students.

Students at Carondelet High School for Girls in Concord wanted to come up with ways to observe the occasion during a lunchtime celebration Friday. But when the school announced a menu of fried chicken, cornbread and watermelon, other students and parents became offended.

KNTV-TV reports that school officials held an assembly Wednesday to discuss the issue and also sent a letter apologizing to parents. Principal Nancy Libby wrote that the items were taken off of the menu and that the school doesn't perpetrate racial stereotypes.

Libby also wrote the school will hold a diversity assembly.

Calls to the school on Thursday were not immediately returned.

Calif. School Apologizes For Black History Lunch Menu

[Peace Of Mind]

Holy Crap!  I'm black!  I would love that for lunch. 

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

It would have been even better if dessert was a moon pie and grape soda.


I'm assuming their hearts were in the right place but LMAO, do some research people.

[Sum Dum Gai]

No collard greens?  Bastards.

[Virgil Showlion]

I'm actually surprised more people aren't offended by the whole concept of "black history month".

I mean, the US courts have said again and again that separate and equal can't possibly be equal, so... let's split off black history into it's own separate but equal month... and hope well-meaning people don't trip over it by serving fried chicken and watermelon.

Ooh, and let's put black people into their own separate-but-paradoxically-equal schools that emphasize to them for twelve solid years just how black they are.

And let's make it mandatory for universities to admit blacks and employers to employ blacks, because that will make people respect them more.

And let's tie bells to black Americans' dogs, because that will somehow help people too...  and... and...

[Sum Dum Gai]

I like fried chicken too, but their black history meal being fried chicken and watermelon was pretty stupid.  If they didn't realize beforehand that they were going to catch shit for that, they're way out of touch.

[Sum Dum Gai]

Or serving burritos for Cinco de Mayo

Yeah.  Burritos are a Mexican American creation, not traditional Mexican food.  Outside of a few places in northern Mexico, and the US tourist hotspots, you can't find burritos in Mexico, at least not like we make them here.  Same thing with nachos.

They're both Americanized stereotypes of what we think Mexicans actually eat.

[Deleted]

Feb 6, 2014 17:15:39 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

I like fried chicken too, but their black history meal being fried chicken and watermelon was pretty stupid.  If they didn't realize beforehand that they were going to catch shit for that, they're way out of touch.

Seriously.  Those be some pretty stupid crackers. 

[Value Buy]

What/

    No peanut butter and jelly?

I thought we determined blacks like P&J too.

[Sum Dum Gai]

Now I want nachos for lunch.. thanks a lot MM!  

[billisonboard]

Feb 6, 2014 17:19:06 GMT -5 @missmargarita said:

... They'll catch flak no matter what because you just can't win here.    

And in situations that you can't win, don't play. There is no reason to serve any sort of meal to celebrate "Black History Month". You are highlighting African American contributions in our nation's history. You are not celebrating black culture.

[Tennesseer]

Feb 6, 2014 17:12:29 GMT -5 @missmargarita said:

Well, I'm not a fan of watermelon, so I'd be offended... but fried chicken? Sign me up! 

Seriously... people will get ofended over the stupidest shit... a school lunch menu? don't you have more important things to be offended by?

Although the c**n caricature can be identified by his appearance alone, creators of pop culture imagery often amplified the negative reaction to the c**n by depicting him engaging in one or more disreputable behaviors. As discussed in the History of the C**n section, the c**n is often portrayed as a lazy, easily frightened, inarticulate, good-for-nothing buffoon. One of the most prevalent methods of achieving this effect was to depict the c**n as obsessed with stealing and eating chicken and watermelon. Of all the stereotypes of African Americans, this is the one that modern youth have the most trouble understanding. "It's just food," they say. "What's wrong with watermelon?" The answer is, that there is nothing wrong with chicken or watermelon. What is troubling is the way in which these foods have been used to portray Black Americans as less than human for the purpose of justifying systematic discrimination.

Interesting article and explanation.  The article is not racist (C**n) but explains the use of C**n along with why blacks find the stereotype of blacks and chicken and watermelon offensive. 

Full article here:  The C**n Obsession with Chicken & Watermelon

[Sum Dum Gai]

Yeah, but I didn't really think about it until you posted the drooly icon.  Carnitas nachos, which guacamole and fresh salsa... I can't stop thinking about it now.

[Value Buy]

Remember when a previous winner of the Master's, Fuzzy Zoeller, joked about Tiger winning the Masters and said they would be serving fried chicken next year?

You just cannot mention fried chicken and minority preferences with out getting taken to the woodshed............

[Tennesseer]

Feb 6, 2014 17:26:31 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

What/

    No peanut butter and jelly?

I thought we determined blacks like P&J too.

You never did reply when I asked you what type of "good old fashioned white American specialities" food minorities and immigrants were supposed to try after you posted "there is nothing wrong with new minorities trying some good old fashioned white American specialties."

I am still wondering what those white American specialties are.

there is nothing wrong with new minorities trying some good old fashioned white American specialties.

[Virgil Showlion]

Delicious cheesy nachos. Fresh guacamole. Crispy, crunchy.

[billisonboard]

Feb 6, 2014 17:38:04 GMT -5 @missmargarita said:

... I still don't know why we have to dedicate a month to black history in the first place.  Why can't we celebrate those important figures throughout the year on landmark dates like we do with the white people?  If we keep highlighting the differences based on ethnicity and skin color then that distinction will remain.  Who cares what color their skin is? let's focus on their contributions to our nation's history. 

The story of Black History Month begins in Chicago during the
late summer of 1915. ... www.asalh.org/blackhistorymonthorigins.html

I agree that we need to transition away from things like this. We have come a long way and should start working towards full integration. But things like what is reported in the OP, does show we aren't truly at a point where we can totally let go of the need for awareness.

[Value Buy]

Feb 6, 2014 17:39:43 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Feb 6, 2014 17:26:31 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

What/

    No peanut butter and jelly?

I thought we determined blacks like P&J too.

You never did reply when I asked you what type of "good old fashioned white American specialities" food minorities and immigrants were supposed to try after you posted "there is nothing wrong with new minorities trying some good old fashioned white American specialties."

I am still wondering what those white American specialties are.

there is nothing wrong with new minorities trying some good old fashioned white American specialties.

Tenn, we both know that is a loaded question, due to "white American specialties" is basically a non-existent category since we are a nation of immigrants, and we would have major problems here even properly describing what "white Americans" actually represents.

Would it be, just people from England?

Or does it include German, Polish, Scandinavian, and French?

Italians and Greeks may or may not be considered "white" due to their Mediteranean ethnic heritage. with darker skin genes.

Since we are a nation of immigrants, white American specialties are all fashioned from ethnic dishes from through out the world.

This is a no win question you proffer to me, imo.

England represents tea and crumpets, and sheepshead pie.

And England cannot claim tea as being a "white drink".

Why are you so afraid of having some simple fun once and awhile?

Sometimes you remind me of the character "Crankshaft" here and suck all the fun out of this board.

Please do not take this as an attack. It is an observation.

[The Captain]

At my school they used to serve corned beef, cabbage, and potatos on St. Patricks day (yes I know, not really Irish) and the Irish never raised a stink, just the cabbage did.

Of course for Octoberfest it's racist if you serve brats, beer, and schnitzle - right?

And the Polish around here absolutely riot every fat tuesday when the Pączki's are brought out.

Miss Pearlie (yes that's what we called her) took great pride in teaching us (white) college kids how to cook real soul food.  She was proud of her culinary heritage and I guess I just totally don't get how it can be insulting.

Chitlins on the other hand...

[Virgil Showlion]

Feb 6, 2014 17:26:31 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

What/

    No peanut butter and jelly?

I thought we determined blacks like P&J too.

I can just imagine American teachers in 2020.

Teacher: OK class, let's imagine you have 5 jelly sandwiches for lunch and your friend has 7 jelly sandwi-

State Overseer: Mr. Brown, need I remind you that jelly sandwiches promote the notion of white privilege and are quite racist. Please rephrase.

Teacher: I see. OK. So... let's imagine, class, that you have 5 drumsticks for lunch and your friend has-

State Overseer: Mr. Brown! Drumsticks are incredibly offensive to Americans of African and Indo-African descent. Rephrase at once!

Teacher: I... I... OK. Class, you have 5 burritos-

State Overseer: Racist!

Teacher: Oh m... mercy. I mean you have 5 soda pops-

State Overseer: Obesity!

Teacher: F... five... p- pork chops?

State Overseer: Islamophobe! Anti-Semite!

Teacher: Five chickpeas?

State Overseer: Gender Discriminator!

Teacher: *shoots self in the head*

State Overseer: Irresponsible Firearms Owner!

[billisonboard]

Feb 6, 2014 17:41:31 GMT -5 @missmargarita said:

...

I am still wondering what those white American specialties are.

there is nothing wrong with new minorities trying some good old fashioned white American specialties.

Anything made with wonder bread and Kraft American cheese slices...

During the 1940s, Continental Baking began adding vitamins and minerals to Wonder Bread as part of a government-sponsored program of enriching white bread which was notoriously deficient in vitamin and mineral content, to combat certain diseases. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_Bread

Processed cheese (a.k.a., process cheese; cheese slice; prepared cheese; cheese singles; or, cheese food) is a food product made from a normal cheese (and sometimes other, unfermented, dairy by-product ingredients); plus emulsifiers, saturated vegetable oils, extra salt, food colorings, and/or whey or sugar. As a result, many flavors, colors, and textures of processed cheese exist. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processed_cheese

Yes, American cuisine

[Tennesseer]

Feb 6, 2014 17:51:01 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

Feb 6, 2014 17:39:43 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

You never did reply when I asked you what type of "good old fashioned white American specialities" food minorities and immigrants were supposed to try after you posted "there is nothing wrong with new minorities trying some good old fashioned white American specialties."

I am still wondering what those white American specialties are.

there is nothing wrong with new minorities trying some good old fashioned white American specialties.

Tenn, we both know that is a loaded question, due to "white American specialties" is basically a non-existent category since we are a nation of immigrants, and we would have major problems here even properly describing what "white Americans" actually represents.

Would it be, just people from England?

Or does it include German, Polish, Scandinavian, and French?

Italians and Greeks may or may not be considered "white" due to their Mediteranean ethnic heritage. with darker skin genes.

Since we are a nation of immigrants, white American specialties are all fashioned from ethnic dishes from through out the world.

This is a no win question you proffer to me, imo.

England represents tea and crumpets, and sheepshead pie.

And England cannot claim tea as being a "white drink".

Why are you so afraid of having some simple fun once and awhile?

Sometimes you remind me of the character "Crankshaft" here and suck all the fun out of this board.

Please do not take this as an attack. It is an observation.

How is my question a loaded question?  You said, and I quote, "there is nothing wrong with new minorities trying some good old fashioned white American specialties." 

If you say, "we are a nation of immigrants, white American specialties are all fashioned from ethnic dishes from through out the world.", were all the immigrants to the United States white?  Or do you really mean to say just 'American specialties as our nation is made up of immigrants from around the world? 

Some threads need to have all the fun sucked out of them. 

[Tennesseer]

Feb 6, 2014 17:38:04 GMT -5 @missmargarita said:

Feb 6, 2014 17:30:01 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

And in situations that you can't win, don't play. There is no reason to serve any sort of meal to celebrate "Black History Month". You are highlighting African American contributions in our nation's history. You are not celebrating black culture.

I still don't know why we have to dedicate a month to black history in the first place.  Why can't we celebrate those important figures throughout the year on landmark dates like we do with the white people?  If we keep highlighting the differences based on ethnicity and skin color then that distinction will remain.  Who cares what color their skin is? let's focus on their contributions to our nation's history. 

Black roll models need to be more than just musical artists and sports figures.

[Sum Dum Gai]

Black roll models need to be more than just musical artists and sports figures.

You've got to be fucking kidding me.  You know there are black doctors, inventors, philosophers, scientists, politicians, generals, writers, poets, astronauts, police officers, and every other damn thing too, right?

[Tennesseer]

Feb 6, 2014 18:30:28 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

Black roll models need to be more than just musical artists and sports figures.

You've got to be fucking kidding me.  You know there are black doctors, inventors, philosophers, scientists, politicians, generals, writers, poets, astronauts, police officers, and every other damn thing too, right?

Of course I do.  Which is why maybe it is not time quite yet time to end Black History Month or ìncorporate black contributions into general education year round.

Not all young black people appreciate black doctors, inventors', etc. contributions to society.  In the eyes of many young black people, they only see who makes the big money and has a fun adult life.  It is the black musicians and athletes.  Many attempt careers in those two professions-few succeed.

[Sum Dum Gai]

White kids do the same thing. There are more little boys that want to be Peyton Manning when they grow up then there are that want to be Mark Zuckerburg.

[Value Buy]

Feb 6, 2014 18:49:41 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

White kids do the same thing. There are more little boys that want to be Peyton Manning when they grow up then there are that want to be Mark Zuckerburg.

True, but our Federal government holds the black ethnic group to lower standards of believing blacks can understand this situation.

The Feds believe they have to be told of their accomplishments, whereas, white kids know this automatically through white dominance of the world.

[Tennesseer]

Feb 6, 2014 18:33:21 GMT -5 @missmargarita said:

Feb 6, 2014 18:13:18 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Black roll models need to be more than just musical artists and sports figures.

That could be said for all ethnicities, no?  I'm not saying don't recognize them, I'm saying stop making the distinction based upon their skin color!  When we celebrate Martin Luther King's achievements and contributions, pointing out that he's black is kind of stating the obvious...

That would be because there are pictures of MLK everywhere.  

How about ìncorporating pictures of the doctors, ìnventors, scientists, etc., regardless of race, in school books?  Of course the problem with that would a few state boards of education (Texas comes to mind) who approve the books published and used in most of our nation's schools.

[The Captain]

Feb 6, 2014 18:13:18 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Feb 6, 2014 17:38:04 GMT -5 @missmargarita said:

I still don't know why we have to dedicate a month to black history in the first place.  Why can't we celebrate those important figures throughout the year on landmark dates like we do with the white people?  If we keep highlighting the differences based on ethnicity and skin color then that distinction will remain.  Who cares what color their skin is? let's focus on their contributions to our nation's history. 

Black roll models need to be more than just musical artists and sports figures.

And here I thought you weren't racist.

Obviously the poor 'ol black folk are incapable of figuring this out for themselves, we needs da white people to spell it out for them...

Statements like yours above are far more indicative of what a misguided segment actually thinks another segment of the population is capable of, or based on your statement, incapable of.

[Virgil Showlion]

Feb 6, 2014 19:10:04 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Feb 6, 2014 18:13:18 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Black roll models need to be more than just musical artists and sports figures.

And here I thought you weren't racist.

Obviously the poor 'ol black folk are incapable of figuring this out for themselves, we needs da white people to spell it out for them...

Statements like yours above are far more indicative of what a misguided segment actually thinks another segment of the population is capable of, or based on your statement, incapable of.

Pfft. If Tenn is a racist, then I'm a KKK Grand Wizard.

He wants to make a worsening situation better, just like the rest of us. He just has different (extremely progressive) ideas about how to balance cultural integration and cultural identity.