Cost effective items were pivotal to their survival. As for eating such foods for many of years, those dishes that were made became critiqued throughout time to much tastier meals. Such meals were passed down from generation to generation, creating a unique history behind it. Also, during that time “Soul Food” was distinguishing its own meaning and identity, “There is no doubt that the slave trade left a profound and everlasting mark on the souls of enslaved Africans, but Opie makes a startlingly simple argument, offering a definition of soul that describes not slaves but the positive attributes of all of humankind.”(Evans 223) Laretta Henderson claims that, “in its culinary incarnation, "soul food" was associated with a shared history of oppression and inculcated, by some, with cultural pride. Soul food was eaten by the bondsmen.
African cuisine is on the rise in the U.S., due to the growing popularity as Africans bring the dishes of their country to family restaurants to this country. To an outsider of this culture it is impossible to categorize African food. I have even seen cooking shows call plantains (a starchy banana) a Cuban or Spaniard dish but it originated on both coast of Afr... ... middle of paper ... ...de and remixed other culture recipes and used it for their own. The most important lesson in this paper is to see how culture came from Africa, and that we are all the same. Learning about different cultures is vital for man kind to survive, many wars are fought because of ignorance.
What is Soul Food? All ethnic groups have their own language, food, and way of living. Some can even call their food, “soul food.” Soul food can be described as “food made with feeling and care,” but in America, soul food simply refers to African-American cuisine (A History of Soul Food). In Imamu Amiri Baraka’s essay, “Soul Food” he describes how shocked he was to read an article that stated how “African-Americans have no language and no characteristic food.” So he argued against that supposed fact. I too was shocked and am agreeing with Baraka’s argument.
This type of cooking brought slave traditions of adaptation of foods to the forefront and exposed many people that were not familiar with these foods knowledge of them. The use of less expensive proteins, greens, one pot meals. During and after slavery, living conditions of the African people in the United States were extremely poor. Because of this, the Africans were able to adapt and use what was available to them, just as they had done during the lean times in Africa. As soul food restaurants became more common in larger cities, so did the foods among not only the black communities, but all people.
African-Americans cooks were forced by enslavement to adapt new ingredients into their diet. Frequently, the African-Americans would have to use unfamiliar ingredients to cook what was requested by the masters. Natural intuition about food gave the enslaved the ability to improvise with what was given and to prepare it the best way they could. It was said that they cook so well that they put their “soul” in the food, hence the name “soul food.” Cooking soul food is a quality only bestowed upon African-Americans by virtue of their painful experiences and journeys. Being that Africans came from diverse regions and communities, they were able to adapt their cultures to the influences, resources, and severe
I am convinced that if we trace back to learn theories of past African America leaders on these issues then we can eventually come to new heights. This paper will identify the primary economic, political, and social needs of African Americans at the turn of the century and determine if the philosophies of Booker T. Washington, WEB DuBois, Martin Luther King and Malcolm X can eliminate some of these issues. The number one problem in for Black societies is the lack of economical development. True, there are Black owned business, but the businesses do not provide longevity in the communities. For example, in my community there was a soul food restaurant that just open up and before you could blink an eye it seem as if some on else other than Black American bought out the owners.
In, “I Too, Sing America”, Hughes uses race as a symbol of oppression on African Americans as well as a sign of hope for the future. When the slave is sent into the kitchen to eat this is a symbol of hope because it says he eats ... ... middle of paper ... ...nt to be, the homeland of the free. To conclude, Langston Hughes uses race in his poems as a way to break down the racial barriers that are placed on society. It is seen in his poem, Let America be America Again, that he doesn’t only want racial equality for African Americans but for all races. It is also important to point out that some of his poems use race as a way to describe the struggles of slaves or the oppression on slaves.
A historic tradition within ceremonies is jumping the broom; symbolizing both individuals jumping into the next phase of their lives as one. Next, the title of the film Soul Food indicates another tradition. The food that African Americans have cooked fro centuries was called Soul Food. The film explains what Soul Food was all about. During slavery, blacks did not have a lot of things to celebrate, so cooking became the way we expressed our love for one another.
Some examples of silent protests would be when blacks would "sit-in" at an all white restaurant, all day long just to protest segregation's injustice to blacks. They also boycotted and marched. The integration in public places helped the blacks and was a success because it got them equal rights which was one of their major goals. As stated above, there are a few truths to the Kerner Commission report today, but the successes of the civil rights movement outweigh the failures. Blacks are better off because they have achieved political power, received equal opportunity, better pay and better jobs in the workforce and have ended segregation.
Living within my black heritage I have grown to understand more about myself and values. My heritage has continued to demand that an education is a major priority. Due to many of my ancestors not being able to receive enough education and from what was told to me they were belittled and mistreated. In my family, an education is valued deeply. On the other hand, my heritage on my dad’s side of the family being a hard worker and being able to provide a great meal was valued as most important.