A Whole New Flavor of Racism

[ysabetwordsmith]

Just when you think you've seen all the stupid shit that racism can do, a whole new monstrosity arises.  Statistical analysis of advertising indicates that ads targeting black and Hispanic people overwhelmingly promote unhealthy foods, thus contributing to their poor health.  O_O  Considering how many people die from diet-related diseases (e.g. heart failure, diabetes) this is a subtle form of economic and culinary genocide.  

It just makes me want to beat the food companies over the head with ethnic food pyramids.  The African pyramid actually has greens at the base.  The Hispanic one is decent, if less detailed.



I imagine if this nonsense happened in Terramagne, the culprits would be obliged to spend equivalent amounts promoting things like leafy greens (Afro-American) or nixtamalized corn products (Hispanic) to make up for the damage.

Comments

[technoshaman]

Here's a whole *different* brand: There is a black supremacist group called the Black Hebrew Israelites, who think their brand of being G-d's chosen people is better than everybody else's... and will kill to make that point. I had _no idea_ such a thing existed until a friend popped up on don't-get-me-started-book and said they were safe despite living very close to the scene... I knew of outfits like Nation of Islam, but never anything ostensibly intra-tribal like this...

I don't know of a good place to start for Hispanic folk, but the first name that popped into my head when you mentioned the idea of better food for African-rooted folk was Michael Twitty...

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>Here's a whole *different* brand: There is a black supremacist group called the Black Hebrew Israelites, who think their brand of being G-d's chosen people is better than everybody else's... and will kill to make that point. <<

Sadly, that's a common problem with zealots.

>>I don't know of a good place to start for Hispanic folk <<

Exotic potatoes, perhaps. Some have more nutrients than the standard kind. Same with peppers.

Re: Thoughts

[technoshaman]

No, I meant people. Cooks and cookbooks.

Though I think I might know where to start asking. *cackle*

[technoshaman]

... of course, a heck of a lot of the problem with our darker-skinned siblings is they don't have good cooking resources to begin with...

*snort* but then, neither do us office workers when it comes to lunch. You're either packing it in, which has its own time pressures, or you're eating in the retail spaces under your offices, which is actually FINE in New York last I checked but in Seattle? EVERYTHING is upscale. Even the motherfrackin' BURGERS are upscale. Better for you? Maybe. Affordable or fast or both? Fuggeddabowdit. (Actually, I take that back. JimmyJohn's is what they say on the tin. FAST. Not cheap, but fast and good. ONE PLACE in the entire 76-story building.)

(Brooklyn Hospital, where I used to work? ELEVEN different joints on Dekalb Ave alone between the hospital and the subway station, the last of which is Junior's Grill, which is both a good diner AND the makers of the Best Cheesecake In The World...

I used to like the idea that Seattle was a fast-food desert. Problem is, it's a diner and deli desert too; you can't just walk into a joint and get a meat and two or a sandwich big enough for two meals for any price between Yesler and the Ship Canal west of 9th (basically the whole of central Seattle)... This sucks.)

Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>... of course, a heck of a lot of the problem with our darker-skinned siblings is they don't have good cooking resources to begin with... <<

Telling people to cook a healthy meal assumes that they:

* know what "healthy" ingredients are

* and how to prepare those in recipes

* plus the physical skills to do so

* can find said ingredients locally

* and afford to purchase them

* have a way to get them home

* have a kitchen

* with power to it

* plus pots, pans, knives, measuring spoons, and other necessary tools

* have the time to cook

* and the energy to do it.

Most disadvantaged people are short several of these necessities.

>> *snort* but then, neither do us office workers when it comes to lunch. <<

That sucks. :(

I think we'd be a lot better off if the junk food restaurants were relegated to the edges. You could still have junk if you wanted it, you'd just have to go out of your way to get it. Fill the highest-traffic spots with healthier food at affordable prices.

Hell, you can make healthy versions of fast food if you want to. Our favorite Mexican restaurant is back with its taco bar. (They make other things too, like burritos, but I get tacos.) Choose corn or wheat tortilla. White, brown, or Mexican rice. Several types of beans if you want them. I think 6-8 kinds of meat. Assorted sauces. Individual toppings like tomatoes, onions, peppers, Romaine lettuce, cheese, cilantro. Mixed toppings like salsa. I typically get a flour tortilla with brown rice, black beans, a meat, Romaine lettuce, cheese, and cilantro. But you could just pile it with veggies if you wanted to. It takes like 5 minutes. Also they have Jarritos which is a Mexican soda made with real sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup.

THIS.

[curiosity]

I noticed this in high school and then again in college. White people, mostly women, are espousing the virtues of health food - fresh veggies and shit. POC are selling Fanta and potato chips. And the way white people talk about POC's heritage foods ... it's a whole long rant that I'm too tired for right now but yes. This is very much a thing. It is one more way the PTB are trying to keep everyone who isn't a rich white guy sick, broke, and stupid.

Re: THIS.

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>I noticed this in high school and then again in college. White people, mostly women, are espousing the virtues of health food - fresh veggies and shit. POC are selling Fanta and potato chips.<<

>_<

>> And the way white people talk about POC's heritage foods ... it's a whole long rant that I'm too tired for right now but yes. <<

Well, now, that depends on whether they're talking about REAL heritage foods -- like Africa with its pyramid bottomed in greens -- or slave food, which is 100% white people's fault that it even exists.

>>This is very much a thing. It is one more way the PTB are trying to keep everyone who isn't a rich white guy sick, broke, and stupid.<<

Sadly so. But then they whine when people they want to use are less useful due to being sick or dead.