Is This Racist to You? Details Added

The difference would be in the wording. Was it worded "Bring foods from this list because this is what black people like" or was it, "Bring foods from this list of traditional African American favorites." To me, that's a big difference...I mean, it's no difference at all, but it is. It doesn't seem racist...just maybe a bit assumptive.

And in celebration of black history month....black history has a lot more to do than with what people from the south like. I'm also originally from the south, and like those foods...and I'm as white as you get.

In celebration of BHM we're having southern food.

Because that's what that list is. A meal found on bone china to paper plates anywhere from North Carolina to Texas.

....

Tehehehe

But what about white people food?

- Mayonnaise
- Devilled Eggs
- Gluten Free Dairy Free
- Fries w Gravy

Here's what I think is hilarious: I have a great friend who is black. He hates watermelon, sweet potato anything and isn't fond of green beans.

So just like every other race, everyone is different.

Well I guess I would phrase it differently from "these are the foods that black people like" to something like "these foods have been traditional in African-American cooking." Yes, it would matter to me whether or not the list maker was black (and therefore approaching this from a standpoint of authenticity and authority) or not, in which case it could be seen as ignorant stereotyping. Just like if there were a potluck celebrating Carribean or Cajun or Chinese or Thai or Mexican or Irish cuisine (just kidding about the Irish, our food doesn't qualify as "cuisine" LOL) one would assume that whoever organized it actually researched what traditional foods are and didn't just rely on assumptions.

Racism:
n.
1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.

In the context, I wouldn't call it racism, but I think your company could use a new copywriter! That is an example of very poor business writing.

Tacky but not racist.

We call this "soul food", and there is a whole wikipedia site devoted to soul food and what these foods are. It lists most of what you have listed here as well. In that context, I don't think it's racist at all. But I could see where your jaw might have dropped at first.

It is not racist and not a generalization, those are soul foods and black Americans are known for some damn good renditions of those items.

That is no more racist than pasta for an Italian holiday, how many times did you have Mexican foods for Cinco De Mayo?

I don't know why but lately I have been kind of irked by the need to find racism where it is not.
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Looking at some of the answers it is not relevant whether blacks like other foods. I am Sicilian American, I love Italian foods, I love Mexican, hell soul foods get me going, Pan American, holy heck that stuff is great!!

Still if someone wants to make an Italian menu it is going to be pasta and pizza, that is not racism, that is our cultures foods. Just as black Americans have crafted some amazing foods, comfort foods! That is something to be proud of! not called racism!

It depends on the context. Is it a joke-thing put together by a bunch of black people? You left out the details, wanting us to judge without them, which is pretty irrelevant.

What?
No black eyed peas and chitterlings?
What about jambalaya, okra and pulled pork barbeque?
No - all this stuff is considered Southern comfort food at this point.

It's in poor taste and very stereotypical. Who put that list together? Just do a general potluck. To actually go off of that ridiculous list would probably be insulting.

I hesitate to say racist but I do think it's insensitive. It certainly made me raise my eyebrows. I think the issue is that it results from a stereotype based in prejudice. If it was suggested by a black person, it's still not racist but I don't think that makes it right.

That very much sounds like a southern thing, not a "black" thing. I

Racist? no. Generalization? yes. Could it offend someone? Clearly it did. someone suggested that "these are the foods black people like". If they were trying to be funny, I'd say, its kind of funny. If they were not trying to be funny, it would have been better presented as, "these are the foods that have a connection to black history."
if we were celebrating German Americans (which no one ever does, should I be offend?) and the list included: cabbage, boiled potatoes, sausage, dumplings, borche, schnitzel, and cucumber salad, I would not be offended or think it was racist if someone said," these are the foods Germans like." Instead I'd think, thats not all-together correct.

I agree with others regarding the selection of the wording. This list of foods are southern in nature and not all black people like these foods. Usually I try to consider the intention of the writer of the message and not just he message itself.

I tend not to be offended by some things that would offend others. For instance a sports announcer Jimmy the Greek, years ago made a comment about black athletes that had some offended. I wasn't offended by his comments and I am black.

Loads of people say things or write things that aren't as possibly as sensitive as they need to be but their hearts are in the right place and they didn't intend to offend. While others are as sly as foxes and are intentionally trying to cut you with their words. You live long enough you learn how to tell the difference between the two no matter how subtle it may be.

Hope you enjoy the party and the food and actually take the time to learn something about some of the amazing people with an African heritage living in this country.

That's hard to say. The fact of the matter is that there is a genuine culture of "soul food" in African American culture. That cuisine is legitimate and is studied and celebrated just as any other ethnic cuisine in this country. It is also lampooned in racial slurs. In the movie "It's a Wonderful Life," Mr. Potter derisively calls Italian immigrants "those garlic eaters." It's an ethnic slur, no doubt. But it's based on a truism - my father came from Italy, and we do eat a lot of garlic, in everything! As racial slurs go, this one is far less loaded than the racial slurs toward African Americans today. Similarly, I do not find it offensive that Mexican food is associated with tacos or that Italian food is associated with pizza (although American versions of ethnic foods are in and of themselves offensively laughable and hardly passable as the real thing). I do not know enough about genuine soul food to say this is offensive or stereotypical. It aligns with the racial slurs, but is that because it also is representative of the authentic cuisine? That's what you need to find out. I feel a little better knowing it's being organized by an African American, but do a little research on what is an authentic representation of the African American traditions are -- you might find that it is racially insensitive or you might find that it's spot on.

I don't think the concept or the list if necessarily racist -- this sounds like classic soul food, and I've things like this done in other celebrations of Black History Month. But the phrase "these are the types of food black people like" has the potential to give offense. I would reword that asap.

There IS a history of racist images of African Americans eating fried chicken and watermelon, but I THINK these foods need to be situated in certain types of images to really be a problem. If they're just part of a big menu, probably not a big deal.

That's just my subjective opinion, though.

I don't think it is racist or meant to be. I do think the wording used may come across that way. If they requested that you bring something from the specified list because that is the selected menu great. If they actually said to bring something from the specified list because "these are the types of foods black people like" then they should have rethought the wording.

My opinion stands regardless of who made the list although I do recognize that if two people said the exact same thing, their race could play a part in how it is perceived.

ROFLMAO.....HOLY COW THAT IS AMAZINGLY RACIST!

Sorry, having a black person put the list together doesn't cut it.

Celebrating diversity to such a miniscule level demeans the diversity, and the people who misunderstand.

We have black history month b/c somehow (shocking), the achievements of black scientists, historians and political leaders somehow got glossed over or never mentioned in history books. History books written by....white dudes!

Combined with a few hundred years of race-based slavery - we as a society said "oops, hold a second. Let's try and fix this".

When you take that out of a "societal" level, it fails to make sense. If you invite a black friend out for dinner, do you only suggest bbq and soul food restaurants? If a black friend is coming to visit your house, do you put on black face and perform a minstrel show so they feel at home?

Do you read the menu to your black friend b/c you assume they are illiterate? Do you offer a mule as a gift and explain that you're currently trying to locate 40 acres for them?

At a personal, one on one level - you need only be understanding of the past. As a society - we can determine if affirmative action is working, or if black history month is needed, or if minority businesses need assistance.

Determining a "black" pot luck lunch food is insulting. Moreover, this list is the tasting list of the one black person in your office. It would be just as silly to ask you to list a "white person" food list.

Caviar
Pate
Eclairs
Sauerkraut
Goose
Knishes
Matzo Ball soup
Canadian Bacon

No. Take it or leave it. Either you want to partcipate or you do not. There does not seem to be anything mean spirited about it. The intent is for it to be a "celebration".

I think it's more a southern thing than a black thing-my mouth is watering! I hope no one is offended.

This is an interesting question. Off the cuff I would say that what was probably meant was, rather than these types of foods black people like, that these are some types of foods that might reflect african american culture. If a work place event was planned around jewish culture, I doubt the jews in the group would take exception to bringing/serving foods that reflect their culture, such as Challah bread or gefelte fish or rugelach. Maybe I'm seeming naive here but without any other context, I would have to say that I wouldn't necessarily consider it racist. I hope this finds you well.

Yes, I believe it is racist.

It is one thing to label an ethnic group and use there food culture as part of a description. I.e. French food, Asian, Thai or Indian. It is general and not singling out one group of people from that country.

The food listed however, is very general and seen as American food. I know white people who eat every single on of those listed. On a regular basis. Year round.

To then label them ''black foods'' in my opinion does sound racist because it perpetuates a stereotype that is used to define these foods as ''black'' in the first place.

When really we can just call them ''American foods''. Who does not like at least one or two of the things on that list? I would eat them all...In fact I had the mac and cheese for lunch:) Baked and everything:)

Well I'm white, and I love all these foods. I wouldn't call it racist, I'd say it was just weird. Whoever came up with this is just going to generalize an entire race by what they prefer to eat? There are PLENTY of southern white folks who eat this same stuff every day.

It doesn't matter if it would offend anyone here. If all or even some of the Black people at your job found it offensive that's what needs to be addressed at your company; Regardless of who put the list together. I don't think one small group can speak for the entire race regarding likes and dislikes. I know plenty of Black people who don't eat any of the foods you've listed.
If it bothers you then you should go to HR about it. There should not be a double standard.

ETA: This reminds me of a girl I worked with a couple of years ago. I kid you not that some of the people on our work team came up with a similar list for the same reason. She spoke up and told them how offensive and unacceptable it was. After that, some other people admitted that they were uncomfortable with the menu and did not want that type of food either. We ended up having a dessert day just for fun.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT I DO TAKE OFFENSE TO MOMOF3. YOU! I don't appreciate your bogus question in an effort to test the rest of us so that you could make yourself feel what seems to me to be smug.

What made me uncomfortable was "these are the types of foods black people like." Really? Last time I checked black people are individuals with different likes. The phrase I mentioned sounds bigoted to me.

Yeah, it does matter if a black person put the list together. Were they kidding around and it just didn't come out right? Circumstances do matter. What was the intention of the person who put out the invite? If you don't suspect someone to be purposely racist then why not just put a word into the powers that be..... explain your feelings so things can be done more delicately in the future.

Yep pretty racist but also YUMMY!!!! Now I'm hungry.. They would have been better off calling it a Food from the south day if that's the kind of food they want. Be sure to add collard greens and peach cobbler.

Wow.... Ummm we also like sushi, italian food, greek food, etc.

I"m a white girl from up north and have never really had any african american friends, so that is where i am coming from.

My jaw also would have dropped and my eyes would have bugged out, I don't know if Racist is the term but wow offensive.

and the biggest problem that i have with it is that Black history month to me could be celebrated with jazz music at lunch, oh gosh and all sorts of recognition or the other contributions to the arts and sciences and instead all those amazing groundbreaking people .... will get honored at your work with some chicken thighs.

To me it sounds more like a list of southern style food, which for some reason people tend to associate with black people. They should add red velvet cake and collard greens to really complete that list, lol. I actually think they should encourage people to make some sort of African traditional dish, that would be more fun. I dont find it to be especially racist, but maybe a little stereotypical.

I am inclined to believe it may be construed as a bit racist by some people.
I understand that it's not meant to be but keep asking before you settle on it. One of my son's best friends is black. 3 friends happened to come in about the time I cut a watermelon. I ask if they wanted some and all the kids burst out laughing! I was clueless for a while?? The younger generation apparently do think about such things but are not as uptight or as sensitive as in times past. I guess, I have no clue!

Who cares? Whens the party, it sounds go, I'll go!

It should have been worded better. Many people like the foods listed and they are not black specific. What happened to the home made rolls, collard greens, baked beans, mashed potatoes and gravy? Perhaps it should have been listed as a Southern Comfort food instead of Black American. But then again Blacks does eat other things and mayonnise. It's got to be a regional thing.

Off my soapbox. I enjoy corned beef and cabbage.

the other S.

PS Time for PC class for the co-workers.

I don't know if it's racist or not. If a person of that particular race decides to do it, and it's a minority race, it probably isn't racist.

By the way, all the food you mentioned here isn't exclusively "African American fare" only. It's also southern food, MMM,MMM good!! (Except for the watermelon. I can't eat watermelon! LOL!)

Hope you go eat and enjoy and say nothing about the possibility of racism.

Dawn