A New York school recently found itself in the middle of a controversy after it served a meal consisting of chicken, waffles and watermelon during Black History Month. This meal was provided by Aramark, a food service company, and many people felt the meal was racist and portrayed negative racial stereotypes.
The controversy surrounding the meal erupted on social media, with people questioning why watermelon – a fruit that has historically been used to demean African-Americans – would be chosen as part of a meal during Black History Month. Others claimed that the meal was insensitive and perpetuated the idea that all black people eat this type of food. The backlash to the meal was swift and strong, with many people taking to social media to express their outrage.
Many people called for Aramark to be held accountable for the meal, and for it to be removed from the school’s menu. In response to the criticism, Aramark issued an apology, saying “While our menu was not intended as cultural meal, we acknowledge the the timing was inappropriate, and our team should have been more thoughtful in its service”. The company also promised to review its menus and policies to ensure that any cultural meals served in the future are done with respect and sensitivity.
Here are some cool videos that talk about how fried chicken and watermelon became the core of racist jokes overtime.
Despite the apology, many people still feel that Aramark should have been more mindful of the potential implications of the meal and its timing. The incident highlights the need for greater sensitivity when it comes to matters of race and culture. By being more mindful and aware of potential cultural implications, companies can avoid similar controversies in the future.
The incident also serves as a reminder that Black History Month is a time to celebrate African-American culture, and not to perpetuate stereotypes. In order to ensure that Black History Month is celebrated with respect and dignity, it is important that companies and schools are mindful of the potential implications of the meals they serve.
The controversy surrounding the Aramark meal serves as a reminder that cultural sensitivity is important, particularly when it comes to matters of race and culture. Companies and schools should always be mindful of the potential implications of their actions, and ensure that any meals or activities they serve or host during Black History Month are done with respect and sensitivity.
