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

[rambot]

Here's a question:
Tell me how playing up stereotypes of a specific group is meant to HELP? Forget the "is it racist"...just go back to the basics. How is that playing into stereotypes of a minority is meant to help create an atmosphere of respect of said group during a month used to celebrate their accomplishments.

 

[Ygrene Imref]

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

It wasn't a mistake, it is an ignorant attempt at testing the racial climate.

Ignorant because it is obvious that the climate is catastrophic, and has been in the States. This happens every black history month in the States; it is kind of expected.

 

[Ana the Ist]

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

Fragile spirits right there.

 

[MyOwnSockPuppet]

Watermelon water wouldn't be historically black

I'd imagine that it would be historically (and currently) pinkish-red. It's not as if we're talking wild to Cavendish bananas or anything.

 

[SummerMadness]

I'd imagine that it would be historically (and currently) pinkish-red. It's not as if we're talking wild to Cavendish bananas or anything.

Watermelon water is not something found in Southern cuisine or in the cuisine of those descended from enslaved Africans. They could have had a theme of Southern cuisine and connected it to African Americans (many who are descendants of the enslaved), but they didn't do that, they just went with stereotypes not even bothering to consult the university. But as @rambot, what does this do to help? It doesn't, it's simply antagonistic, whether deliberately or not.

 

[MyOwnSockPuppet]

Watermelon water is not something found in Southern cuisine or in the cuisine of those descended from enslaved Africans. They could have had a theme of Southern cuisine and connected it to African Americans (many who are descendants of the enslaved), but they didn't do that, they just went with stereotypes not even bothering to consult the university. But as @rambot, what does this do to help? It doesn't, it's simply antagonistic, whether deliberately or not.

The only watermelon drink that springs immediately to my mind is this one:

 

[SummerMadness]

The only watermelon drink that springs immediately to my mind is this one:View attachment 221387

I did a little search and when I look at watermelon juice, the only thing I can find are the typical blend anything recipe blogs and a reference to it as a drink you can get on an Indian Street.

 

[Rion]

I can understand why it was offensive, but I can't help but imagine a lone white worker there, listening to the black people deciding on the menu, and being like:

 

[SummerMadness]

I can understand why it was offensive, but I can't help but imagine a lone white worker there, listening to the black people deciding on the menu, and being like:

Yes, the black people decided the menu... "But that's what the offender said, we have to believe him!"

 

[Landon Caeli]

.

 

[Rion]

Here's a question:
Tell me how playing up stereotypes of a specific group is meant to HELP? Forget the "is it racist"...just go back to the basics. How is that playing into stereotypes of a minority is meant to help create an atmosphere of respect of said group during a month used to celebrate their accomplishments.

I am more confused how they thought it would be a good idea. I mean, if a white, Asian, Hispanic, etc did it, I could put it down to malice or stupidity, but black workers blows my mind.

 

[SummerMadness]

I am more confused how they thought it would be a good idea. I mean, if a white, Asian, Hispanic, etc did it, I could put it down to malice or stupidity, but black workers blows my mind.

They can try to pawn it off on the "black workers did it," but we already know that is a lie to deflect blame.

 

[Rion]

They can try to pawn it off on the "black workers did it," but we already know that is a lie to deflect blame.

I don't see that part in the article.

 

[Rion]

They can try to pawn it off on the "black workers did it," but we already know that is a lie to deflect blame.

Itisn't like this hasn't happened before because of black workers:
College apologizes for Black History Month menu of chicken, collard greens

Aramark apologizes for Black History Month Food

Loyola dining vendor apologizes for 'insensitive' Black History Month menu

 

[Aldebaran]

Here's a question:
Tell me how playing up stereotypes of a specific group is meant to HELP? Forget the "is it racist"...just go back to the basics. How is that playing into stereotypes of a minority is meant to help create an atmosphere of respect of said group during a month used to celebrate their accomplishments.

It's about as offensive as serving turkey, stuffing, and cranberries on Thanksgiving. How stereotypical!

 

[FireDragon76]

Do black people actually have distinctive food? Perhaps that is part of the stereotype?

 

[SummerMadness]

Do black people actually have distinctive food? Perhaps that is part of the stereotype?

They don't have distinctive food; in the United States, I have just seen what is considered "African American cuisine" as Southern food. The only slight difference that I have seen is that some of the cuisine was influenced by slavery/racism, like chitterlings, which is not exclusive to the US. Some stereotypes, like watermelon, were a deliberate attack on black people after the Civil War, they sought to demean African Americans by depicting them as dumb, churlish people that just loved to eat watermelon.

 

[Trogdor the Burninator]

I did a little search and when I look at watermelon juice, the only thing I can find are the typical blend anything recipe blogs and a reference to it as a drink you can get on an Indian Street.

It's a hipster thing - think coconut water - for "hydration", and other things you could do with, umm, tap water. Watermelon juice is probably more an Asian thing - maybe you don't get it much in the US.

 

[FireDragon76]

I always wondered how "macaroni and cheese" is stereotypically black. That's a new one to me.

 

[Nithavela]

I did a little search and when I look at watermelon juice, the only thing I can find are the typical blend anything recipe blogs and a reference to it as a drink you can get on an Indian Street.

https://www.nap.edu/read/11879/chapter/12