With a recent event in Concord of an all-female high school that added chicken and watermelon to its lunch menu to accommodate the African American students celebrating Black History month in February, the topic of cultural foods on lunch menus during ethnic recognition periods and holidays are up for discussion.
Many parents of students at Carondelete High School became outraged once word of the new items on the menu was brought to their attention, as they should.
The Christian-based school went forward with the menu additions without informing parents, or even asking students’ opinions whether they would support the idea.
The state of California is multicultural with various nationalities and ethnic groups; this raises a question.
Would you be offended if your school added stereotypical food connected to your ethnic background to the lunch menu in an effort to celebrate your culture?
While some Black students on campus might not see as a big deal or amusing, adding fuel to the stereotype fire is not a good idea at all because all
Americans have different views on how their culture should be represented.
As an African American male, I honestly would be offended if Delta College added chicken and watermelon to its lunch menu during Black History Month.
There would be so many questions rolling around in my head.
Does everyone believe all Black people eat chicken and watermelon?
I mean sure, yes I do eat chicken and watermelon, but I’ve never ate them both in the same setting at the same time.
What about for Jewish holidays such as Hanukkah? Are schools going to start serving foods prepared in potato pancakes and Sufganiyot (jelly donuts)?
What about for Chinese New Year?
The holiday is celebrated on April 15 this year.
Are schools going to start serving orange chicken and shrimp-fried rice?
Or are schools going to start serving burritos and posole on Cinco de Mayo?
All of these ideas are terrible because no matter how many people are in agreement with this, the amount of people who find it distasteful would be multiplied times two.
“I would be kind of mad if Delta served posole on Cinco de Mayo, because I would feel like the school is making fun of my heritage,” said Julio Martinez, a Mexican American Delta College student.
Every school across the United States can learn from the ridiculousness of Carondelete High School.
Instead of adding special foods to the menu to celebrate cultural holidays, find out if the students, staff and parents are in compliance first.