Aramark apologizes for serving racially insensitive meal at Nyack Middle School on first day of Black History Month

CBS News ^ | FEBRUARY 3, 202 | James Alain L.

[allen592]

Black History Month is a time to honor triumphs of African Americans throughout history, but students and parents at Nyack Middle School raised the alarm after a racially insensitive meal was offered on the first day of the month.

Honore Santiago's mother reassured her daughter, who is in the sixth grade, saying, "You should feel very happy that you spoke up."

[GingisK]

I didn't know that bit about the bronze age tools. Thanks for that! I'll go read up.

The Seneca seem to be a cool people with a great history. Stay proud of your heritage. I'm just Kraut/Irish.

[GingisK]

Its the waffles...

[null and void]

Enabler!

Although I do agree with you, within limits...

[apostoli]

heheeee... agreed, but really, you have to wonder why they added the "watermelon"...!!!

d:^)

[rlmorel]

There is a great video of a true story recounted by a Latino comedian called The Gift Basket by Gabriel Iglesias that hilariously illustrates that this “racist food” trope is complete hogwash.

[DoodleBob]

Interestingly, in researching the topic of "food stereotypes" the only ones I could find about whites were casseroles, no spices/bland, and lots of cheese. Oddly enough, NONE of those things are found on a diner menu in PA or NY or NJ.

Now, I am not saying there isn't ANY cuisine to which clusters of people gravitate. I DO believe, we are generally the same people, wanting the same things (life, liberty, property, happiness). That said, it'd be absurd to expand that to every dimension of life. Indeed, when I worked in NYC and waked by the parking lot across the street from MSG, you could always tell if it was a hockey or basketball game by looking at the vehicles parked on the ground floor. And that observation wasn't just mine - it spanned people across all walks of life.

I like my casseroles. I also like curry. I like egg rolls and fish sticks. Venison is tasty. But I detest Lima beans and calamari. And I'd also get it if people were peeved if on Indigenous People's Day a restaurant gave away coupons to one free visit to AA.

[FlingWingFlyer]

“Black History.” ROTFL!!! Somebody been watchin’ too many Marvel movies.

[apostoli]

“dots or feathers?”

if it’s dots, you then have to ask, “Push start or Pull start?”

[Boomer]

It’s time to change Black History month to black history minute or at the most, day.

[liberalh8ter]

Food is racist. I recommend we discontinue providing food in schools so we never run the risk of offending anyone, ever again.

[bankwalker]

true ... that is step 2 in the troubleshooting tree ...

[nomorelurker]

“Send me a plate of that even more offensive meal - BBQ’d ribs and collard greens
With pepper vinegar?”

You guys are making me hungry. I make my own pepper vinegar aka hot sauce, sometimes with red chilies but usually with the hot little green ones. Something of and East Tx tradition.

[stevem]

Am I a complete racist if I like watermelon?

[ladyjane]

The kids probably loved the meal but since it’s now considered racist Aramark should never serve waffles, chicken, watermelon or grits again.

[null and void]

I have a jar with a couple inches of sliced red Thai chilies submerged in a a couple inches of fish sauce, to each hi/her/its own...

[ridesthemiles]

Where did they get watermelon this time of year???

[null and void]

Am I a complete racist if I like watermelon?

You are a complete racist whether or not you like watermelon!

[null and void]

Where did they get watermelon this time of year???

China produces about 2/3 of the worlds watermelons.

The Big Guy gets 10% of the action.

Just sayin'...

[Cecily]

Exactly. Why can’t traditional or soul food items be highlighted during black history month?

On the menu:

Soul food from Harlem
Soul food from Chicago
Soul food from Philadelphia
Traditional Gullah-Geechee food (Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas)
Traditional mid-Atlantic food (Virginia, Maryland and D.C.)
Traditional food from the Gulf coast (Louisiana and Mississippi)

Et cetera.

[Chode]

really... is it NEVER on the menu?

or just whining because it’s what they do.