NYU Apologizes For Insensitive Black History Month Menu Featuring Kool-Aid

[SummerMadness]

NYU Apologizes For Insensitive Black History Month Menu Featuring Kool-Aid

You’d think that institutions would know how to properly celebrate Black History Month by now, but unfortunately, some are still struggling to get it right.

Recently, a student accused New York University of racial insensitivity after one dining hall boasted about a special Black History Month menu that consisted of ribs, cornbread, collard greens, Kool-Aid and watermelon water.

 

[Aldebaran]

NYU Apologizes For Insensitive Black History Month Menu Featuring Kool-Aid

Who knew food was racist?

 

[Theodoric]

NYU Apologizes For Insensitive Black History Month Menu Featuring Kool-Aid

Well, I'd eat that. But, ummm...could have seen this coming?

 

[He is Risen 72]

If you want an authentic Black History meal, perhaps you should attend a historic Black College.

 

[Theodoric]

If you want an authentic Black History meal, perhaps you should attend a historic Black College.

Well, my daughter graduated from a historically black college, and I don't remember watermelon juice being a thing. Did somebody momentarily lose his or her mind?

 

[Aldebaran]

Well, my daughter graduated from a historically black college, and I don't remember watermelon juice being a thing. Did somebody momentarily lose his or her mind?

Some people seem to think it's pretty good. I might try it sometime myself: 6 Health Benefits of Watermelon Juice and How to Make It

 

[SummerMadness]

Well, my daughter graduated from a historically black college, and I don't remember watermelon juice being a thing. Did somebody momentarily lose his or her mind?

Someone did lose their mind because I have never heard of (including other people I've asked) watermelon water. Nonetheless, there is never a shortage of people that attempt to justify such blatant displays of prejudice and ignorance. It reminds me of Margaret Cho discussing he experience for he series All-American Girl; the studio hired a publicist (I actually don't know what title it was), but the woman told her she needed to be more Asian, which included a suggestion to wear chopsticks in her hair.

 

[Rubiks]

Who knew food was racist?

Food isn't racist. Its the choice of food that was racist. Even if what the article says that the food menu was planned by blacks (as some sort of joke ??), its still an offensive bad idea.

As a white person, I can make fun of my own race all the time, but I would never force those jokes down the throat of people would take offense to them.

 

[Aldebaran]

Food isn't racist. Its the choice of food that was racist. Even if what the article says that the food menu was planned by blacks (as some sort of joke ??), its still an offensive bad idea.

I'd sure like to hear how a choice of food can be racist by any definition of the word. Definition of RACISM

As a white person, I can make fun of my own race all the time, but I would never force those jokes down the throat of people would take offense to them.

The problem is that there are way too many people who will take a word, a joke, or an action, or even a food choice as being something to claim is an offense, and then label the other person as being racist in order to claim they're a victim of racism.

 

[Rubiks]

I'd sure like to hear how a choice of food can be racist by any definition of the word. Definition of RACISM



The problem is that there are way too many people who will take a word, a joke, or an action, or even a food choice as being something to claim is an offense, and then label the other person as being racist in order to claim they're a victim of racism.

Are you honestly saying this is just coincidence? This is the first time I've ever heard of "watermelon water"

 

[Aldebaran]

Are you honestly saying this is just coincidence? This is the first time I've ever heard of "watermelon water"

What do you mean by "coincidence"? What does it coincide with? There are all kinds of new foods that are being made, especially with the health craze that's going on now.

 

[Rubiks]

What do you mean by "coincidence"? What does it coincide with? There are all kinds of new foods that are being made, especially with the health craze that's going on now.

the "coincidence" of there being a pretty offensive menu. It even mentions in the article the menu was chosen to celebrate Black History Month.

 

[Aldebaran]

the "coincidence" of there being a pretty offensive menu. It even mentions in the article the menu was chosen to celebrate Black History Month.

So what? Food is food! You still haven't told me what's so offensive about it. What if it was being offered during a Thanksgiving celebration and someone was offended? Would it be just a big coincidence that it was being served at a Thanksgiving meal?

 

[grasping the after wind]

I can relate to being offended by food stereotyping. NYU probably serve Corned Beef and Cabbage on St Patrick's Day and Mayonnaise on white bread for whatever might be considered a white equivalent of Black History Month. Personally, I hate those white stereotype dishes and much prefer collards and ribs. So I can empathize. There are probably just as many black students at NYU that would rather eat shepherd's pie and bangers and mash as there are white students there that were excited to get those ribs but that just would not fit the stereotype now would it?
I wasn't even aware that Kool Aid was a black stereotype drink. I'm supposed to like to drink beer or vodka for my stereotype.

 

[Aldebaran]

I can relate to being offended by food stereotyping. NYU probably serve Corned Beef and Cabbage on St Patrick's Day and Mayonnaise on white bread for whatever might be considered a white equivalent of Black History Month. Personally, I hate those white stereotype dishes and much prefer collards and ribs. So I can empathize. There are probably just as many black students at NYU that would rather eat shepherd's pie and bangers and mash as there are white students there that were excited to get those ribs but that just would not fit the stereotype now would it?
I wasn't even aware that Kool Aid was a black stereotype drink. I'm supposed to like to drink beer or vodka for my stereotype.

I'm supposed to like beer and cheese, based on where I live.
I'm supposed to be offended by crackers and milk, based on my race.

 

[grasping the after wind]

So what? Food is food! You still haven't told me what's so offensive about it. What if it was being offered during a Thanksgiving celebration and someone was offended? Would it be just a big coincidence that it was being served at a Thanksgiving meal?

The people at NYU assumed that because there is a stereotype that all black people eat ribs and collards and watermelon and drink Kool Aid that they ought to serve those foods in honor of Black History Month. They were basically saying that the stereotype is not only correct but that it ought to be celebrated and that black students ought to feel they are being honored , by having their stereotypes promulgated by the University.

 

[grasping the after wind]

I'm supposed to like beer and cheese, based on where I live.
I'm supposed to be offended by crackers and milk, based on my race.

You aren't required to be offended but it is not totally unreasonable to be miffed by people expecting you to live up to your stereotypes.

 

[Aldebaran]

You aren't required to be offended but it is not totally unreasonable to be miffed by people expecting you to live up to your stereotypes.

You're right. I guess what I was trying to say is that if someone served me a meal that included crackers, milk, cheese or beer as part of it, I wouldn't be offended by it. Even if the server thought I would like them all, I wouldn't feel required to eat or drink all of it if it's something I didn't like. Since I don't drink alcohol, beer is something I'd decline.

 

[Nithavela]

Someone did lose their mind because I have never heard of (including other people I've asked) watermelon water.

Watermelons are native to Africa and have been used as a source of water since before Christ.

I mean, sure, the racist implications of watermelons and black people are there, but if one wanted to serve a historically accurate black beverage, one could go far worse than watermelon juice.

Now, the Kool-Aid, on the other hand..

 

[SummerMadness]

Watermelons are native to Africa and have been used as a source of water since before Christ.

I mean, sure, the racist implications of watermelons and black people are there, but if one wanted to serve a historically accurate black beverage, one could go far worse than watermelon juice.

Now, the Kool-Aid, on the other hand..

Watermelon water wouldn't be historically black, nor would it fit with a Black History Month meant to highlight African American contribution to American history. However, there are always those pleading ignorance to traditions of racism in the US. Even if you we were to give the benefit of the doubt, it's still unconscionable that you didn't take the time to thoroughly look at the menu you were putting together. But if we're going to give it that benefit, it certainly has shades of the McDonald's "I'd Hit It" campaign ad.