Posted on 01/16/2010 2:50:20 AM PST by Daffynition
DENVER -- Denver Public School officials are apologizing after a parent complained that a school lunch meant to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was stereotypical and offensive, reported KMGH-TV.
The lunch, planned for Friday, was to include southern-style chicken, collard greens and a biscuit in honor of King.
Survey: Lunch Menu Insensitive?
Denver Public Schools spokesman Michael Vaughn released a statement that said: "The plan to serve a Southern-style meal in recognition of Martin Luther King Day was well intentioned but highly insensitive in light of certain hurtful cultural stereotypes still harbored in parts of our society."
Organizers of Denver's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Marade, a combination march and parade that honors King every January, did not consider the menu inappropriate, considering that King came from a southern background, but said there are other, more meaningful ways of honoring him.
"When you reduce it to the 'I have a dream' speech and a fried chicken and collard green lunch, you have just destroyed everything that Dr. King stood for," said Vern Howard, chairman of the Martin Luther King Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission.
But in barber shops and soul food restaurants in Denver's historic Five Points district, the tone was decidedly more relaxed.
"To me, I don't see that much wrong with this," said Franklin Stigal, owner of the Afro-Styling Barber Shop. "A lot of people are just griping to be griping."
Chereka Dickerson, who helps run the soul food restaurant Welton Street Café, said the criticisms were over-the-top.
"If that's the food that's really associated with black people in America, why not celebrate it instead of trying to make everything negative?" she said.
Denver Public Schools changed the Friday meal to the manager's choice for Friday. Jennifer Holladay, the parent who originally complained about the menu, e-mailed KMGH a statement that said: "I'm confident we'll see stereotype-free menus in the future."
Howard said the incident is an opportunity for the school system to become more involved in the annual Marade. Howard said the Denver Public School district has shown low interest in the festivities in past years and it's time for them to get involved.
The Houston School District has offered fried chicken and collard greens on Martin Luther King's birthday for years. Last year, in response to questions, they issued the following statement:
"The Food Service Department often runs a promotion in celebration of his birthday. The promotion includes posters and public-address announcements promoting the special meal served in the cafeterias, as well as his message of remembering to celebrate with the spirit of giving back to the community ... 'a day on, not a day off.' A menu committee researches all promotions and has utilized the MLK Center of Atlanta as a resource for information about this famous leader. Elaine Hall, from the Archives Department at the King Center in Atlanta, has informed the committee that Dr. King's favorite meal includes fried chicken, collard greens, cornbread and sweet potato pie."
Indeed it will. :)
Who was b& in that vid?
That’s not much compared to the poor government guy who remarked that his department was “niggardly husbanding their resources” to maximize their effectiveness....
You got that right. We made a giant pot of collards on Thursday and will have them again today. Great SOUTHERN eatin'
Shoulda had fried chicken, ribs and greens - that’s what the local Black churches sell at their fund raisers.
These people should have learned from what happened to Fuzzy Zoeller at the 97 Masters.
I'll resist. I don't want to be abused.
Is she next going to complain to the Obama's that they harbor stereotypical tendencies for growing Collard Greens and Watermelon Radishes in the White House Garden?
As seen on "Iron Chef'
Are we SURE a hate crime wasn’t somehow committed here? ;)
Actually I’m at the Conrad which is a Hilton chain and yes they have a bar on the roof, so I’m thinking it is the same hotel. My team mates and I call the ferryboats “The dance of the Bosphorus”. And yes the hamburger is mutton but it is tasty if you like spiced meat. :-D
This is a picture of a racist stereotype, look at those hands.
My wife is from Denver and she does not care for them either. Must be a southern acquired taste.
Collards, like most all southern cooking, is all about the seasoning. My wife makes a 12 qt stock pot of collards with 2 ham hocks, half a slice of ham steak, diced into 1/4 inch pieces. Add canned chicken broth, some water, butter, and salt pepper to taste. Cook several hours, maybe 3 or 4, till very tender. Add pepper sauce at the table to taste. And dont forget the cornbread(w/butter)
Light meat withour Accent.
Light meat without Accent.
I loved how he came out talking about someone calling him up and saying “No one’s done more for diversity than Harry Reid.” Yeah, Harry? It’s not as good when YOU’re the one telling us how awesome you are, old fool.
Yes, because the problem with the black community is the everyday, racially insensitive jabs that are flung their way (either purposefully or not).
Seriously, I don’t give a rats azz about the “black community” anymore.
If you’re a hard working, decent human being, then I love you, get on the train.
If you’re a worthless parasite who feels like you are owed something by society, screw you, you DESERVE the misery surrounding you.
the best I can say for him was that he was misguided but meant well.
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