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OP didn't even mention that it was fried lol but yeah "fried chicken and watermelon" is a pretty obvious stereotype. it takes a lot to try and deny that.
It's definitely a stereotype, but the question is: why is it an offensive stereotype? Italians eating pasta is also a stereotype but no one seems to get offended over that.
Yes, but what are the bad parts?
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Because being BLACK black is still very low status.
Being an "Ay! Oh! Ah-spicy meatbahall!" 8th generation removed Italian is a charming little bit of americana.
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I don’t care if it’s a stereotype. My concern is watermelon does seem to have a stronger connection to actual racism other than be a cultural a food a people eat. I got no problem serving a person from New Orleans gumbo or someone from Thailand a curry. The issue is watermelon I think has connotation to negative characteristics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermelon_stereotype
I didn’t even notice it didn’t specify fried chicken. But the chicken and waffles I believe is always fried and just assumed. The breading soaks up the syrup.
Every culture has their “stereotype” food. You can’t celebrate a culture without eating their stereotypes. I might have considered leaving out watermelon but the other stuff seems fine.
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Serving fried chicken and watermelon at post-Michelle Obama school lunches is the #1 way to get children actually excited for black history month. Sometimes I wake up thinking about that time I got a churro as a teen during some Hispanic-themed cultural school trip. That churro definitely swung my positive valence for all things Hispanic by 5%.
Now, is this additive or multiplicative? If the cost of ending anti-Hispanic bigotry is buying everyone 20 churros...
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