I have not explicitly written about racism on this platform before even though I’ve shared plenty of personal experiences, from my journey with breast cancer to the challenges and joys of parenting. Cooking and sharing food is deeply personal as is the anti-black racism in this country. Our food system is riddled with injustice, exploitation and racism, as COVID-19 has magnified.
It is hard to unravel all the ways in which I perpetuate systemic racism in America. It comes with knots in my stomach and tightness in my chest. But I have to talk about it. What is more important than love and liberation? That is the goal, so how do we get there? What better place to continue this work than over a shared meal?! I will continue to read and listen, reflect and find specific ways to integrate this work here at Cook With What You Have. I don’t know yet how it will manifest itself but there is plenty of material and urgency!
With love and hope and solidarity,
Katherine
Karen LeAnn says:
Thank you Katherine. Let us remember to be as kind as possible to each other even as we try to deal with hard truths and uncomfortable realities. The journey is rocky, but we’ll get farther together if we don’t throw rocks at each other.
Jayne Cronlund says:
Thanks Katherine. This is a time for brave hearts and a time for me to really listen and find new ways of being in the world. I thought I had done a lot of the work, but apparently, there is more to go. Thanks for your openness and your steady dedication to the shared food experience. I value your contribution.
Renée Niquette says:
I can’t think of a better way to learn, share and change the injustices in this country than through food. So much can be learned from sharing each other’s beliefs & traditions from planting to table. Let’s hope there are plenty within our country’s skin color spectrum who are willing to become, while showing more kindness & caring via their own passions.
LeAnne says:
Well said–the learning journey never ends, but it is good to be on it.
cookwithwhatyouhave says:
In deed! Thank you.
Sharon A Kaufman-Osborn says:
Thank you Katherine. I appreciate your ongoing willingness to share your life with us because you inspire, question, and guide with intelligence, love, and respect. Everyday I am reminded of how little I know.
mdilles says:
Thank you, Katherine. The dark shadow cast by racism in this country is so vast. We mus keep working for change: reflecting, reading, talking, speaking out, supporting. It is all so important, and none of it is easy.
Sr. Margaret says:
Thanks Katherine. Good challenge. I’m White, so I too have this work to do. How about exploring recipes Black folks like? Eating people’s preferred foods is a good way to know them better. If I wanted to invite my Black friend, or Acquaintance to dinner, I’d love to cook, or ask her to bring, food she likes.
Tony Handrich says:
Thank you, Katherine. A quiet, reasoned, intuitive response to the injustices that bind our communities together. What better way to continue our growth, learning, and education than over a meal. Kindness is nourishing.
Toni McGarvey says:
Thank you for being a conversation starter Katherine. I am eager to join this journey and to participate in discussions of food and soul xo
Carol Anton says:
Thank you , Katherine, for this. Very well put. There is such alot work to do.
Nita Dickerson says:
Yes, Katherine, cook with what you have, work with what you have, but act with urgency. I love how you pull it together.
A friend recently spoke of her determination not to “turn it off,” you know, stop thinking about it and working with it when it gets too painful. Understanding that our white privilege is what allows us to “turn it off” while people of color can’t, the pain is part of their life. Your post is another way to keep the urgency there, to place it in front of us, and remind us do all we can to right the wrongs in our broken system.
cookwithwhatyouhave says:
Thank you, Nita! You hit the nail on the head! Let’s keep doing the work every day, together!
DQuick says:
Thank you for this, Katherine! It’s past time for major change to occur, and it requires all to take substantive action. I am hopeful during this time of greater public awareness of the injustice of racism.
Let’s keep the momentum going!
cookwithwhatyouhave says:
Yes, let’s keep it going. Thanks for your note!