Appropriation: Chit-Chat #37
Have some people lost their minds over cultural appropriation?
Have some people lost their minds over cultural appropriation?
Or does Steve Cuozzo simply not get it? Is his column part of the problem or the solution?
Cuozzo wrote a controversial column last week. I think this is a must-read piece that raises important questions about food, culture and humanity that we all need to answer for ourselves.
No denying what Cuozzo penned is honest and, frankly, very brave given what today’s public square looks like. It feels to me like every cultural issue is angrily divisive without respect for others opinions. Steve Cuozzo knew very well that in the main his piece would be applauded or decried as ‘part of the problem’. For many readers, his is an act of smart confidence, bravado, stupidity or foolishness depending on where you stand.
Give this a read and let me know what you think.
To answer the question, Yes, some people have lost their minds.
If you are selling something as authentic, then it better be. There needs to be a respect for ingredients & tradition of preparation that has existed over time.
I actually love to have what Is considered a food that is specific to a culture & then learn that the person preparing has only a love for the cuisine or culture, and zero biological connection.
If you are presenting as an interpretation of…go nuts! Have fun. I know my interpretation of AZ’s gazpacho is going to be quite different than sweet Melissa’s(on acct of the Nutella she’ll slip in 😂) What happened to “imitation is the highest form of flattery” isn’t that what so much of cooking really is? Recreating something we loved, or saw, or experienced or smelled or remember?
But come on….
If Eric Ripert wants to make me anything and call it Pho. I’m going to be just fine with that!
They say true “jerk” must be smoked over pimento wood. That’s true but it’s expensive and there are very few sources for it in this country. I know because I import the stuff. Quite frankly there’s no way restaurants can afford to use it. Should they not make jerk chicken & pork because of this? No - do the best you can to come close. Also I’d like someone to clarify for me what’s the difference between meals that are supposedly cultural appropriation and all the fusion cuisines that you wrote about last week? Personally I think the whole cultural appropriation thing has gone a little too far.