I think the problem here is less what food they served, than the food they didn’t serve, *and* to give the history of the food, context.
For example, watermelon is believed to have come from southern Africa, and had cultivated in Egypt by 2000 BC, even consumed by the ancient Hebrews. It is truly a pride of that continent. It was introduced into Europe in the 13th Century, and were grown by Native Americans by the 16th Century.
Finally, African slaves are believed to have introduced the vine in the southern United States, where it flourished and became a popular food.
So, bottom line, how can watermelon be seen as stereotypical, unless people pretend it is? No reason to not enjoy it.
However, with the goodness comes the badness. In this case, the children should have been offered sample of some of the staple foods of the southland, that black people ate for generations, and actually liked. Such as mustard and collard greens and chard.
I am not so cruel as to even offer children chitterlings, however. But grits are fine.
If they wanted true African food they should have served ‘Bush Meat.’
Whites like 'em too !!!
There is about a 90% overlap between what is called Soul Food and what is called just general Southern Cooking.
But watermelon is the definite stereotype food, and has been used in insulting ways to stereotype blacks. So, including that in a meal was definitely a mistake.
But I still don’t know why a meal of BBQed ribs, collard greens and baked sweet potatoes caused a similar uproar several years back. Sounded like the lunch room meal of the year to me. It seems no traditional food associated with black Americans can be used to recognized black Americans in any sort of celebration.