Food For Thought

My emotions have been all over the place this week. On one hand, I'm infuriated about what has happened with George Floyd and feel the need to protest with the Black Lives Matter movement in NYC. On the other hand, COVID-19 is still a serious threat so I remain inside, away from others.

These mixed emotions have placed me in a funk. Reading Harry Potter allows me to happily escape reality and enter a world of magic, but this week I have felt guilty in escaping reality. So I sit in a state of guilt and confusion. I post on social media knowing it's not enough, but at least it's something.

Nick's winning dish this week was soy glazed duck breast and carrots. I am privileged I can afford such a dish and have the time to cook every day. This hasn't always been the case, but I have always been privileged, whether I recognized it or not. 

I have gone to bed hungry in order to save money, but it was because I was privileged to work unpaid internships in my dream career. I have lived in less than pleasant conditions, but it was because I was privileged to move to NYC without any dependents or disabilities. I am still knee deep in student loan debt, but it was because I was privileged to attend a private, expensive school. I am privileged to make these choices. Some grow up in these conditions without a way out. 

So many people have yet to realize their own privilege—there are White people protesting the COVID-19 shutdown because they need a stupid haircut. Meanwhile, the Black community is protesting because their lives are in danger. Priorities, people.

Yesterday Trump was gloating about the latest job report and said George Floyd is probably looking down at this country and saying this a great thing that is happening. Are you f****** kidding me?? He COMPLETELY missed the mark—George would much rather have his life back than know the economy is surging! Who cares about the economy when Black lives are in danger? Who cares about the job gains when unemployment amongst Blacks still remains the same? We still have so much work to do with a leader who refuses to help.

I know it's hardly anything, but since quarantine started, I have challenged myself to experiment with cuisines from all around the world. I will research recipes for hours until I find the most authentic version, reading history and inspiration behind the dish. One night I followed a recipe for Cuban black beans that came from a blogger's great grandma—never in my life did I think I would spend 24 hours on beans. Of course I can be doing SO MUCH MORE, but expanding my palette and learning about other cultures is still important (especially since I used to be so picky that my mom used to make me what she deemed the "white girl burrito"). 

I will continue to educate myself, advocate for Black Lives Matter, learn how I can do better, and continue to cook to relieve stress from these times. 

If you're confused on why it's not appropriate to say All Lives Matter, let me break it down for you: All Lives DO matter and saying Black Lives Matter does not change that, however, saying All Lives Matter implies that everyone is at equal risk. The treatment against Blacks needs our focus first before all lives can matter.