The obligatory “NBC offers racist lunch menu or something” post
posted at 7:16 pm on February 4, 2010 by Allahpundit
Go look at the photo of the full menu at Mediaite. I’ve only eaten soul food a few times but (a) I’m pretty sure that those are all soul food staples, (b) last I checked, soul food was part of black culture, and (c) it is, after all, Black History Month. So the chef decided to serve a soul food meal, but instead of picking something like ribs as the main course, she picked the one entree that’s associated with racist stereotypes. Result: Menu quickly removed and chef, I guess, now deemed a racist. Wonderful.
Via TheGrio.com, here’s a short interview with Leslie Calhoun, the obviously racist/white supremacist chef; like the boss says, if you think the uproar is absurd now, imagine if Calhoun was cooking for Fox News. Quote: “It’s not trying to offend anybody and it’s not trying to suggest that that’s all that African-Americans eat. It’s just a good meal.” Exit question: Does this mean the soul food episode of my favorite show on television is also racist?
Blowback
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Can’t get with you on that, I love enchiladas huevonas, especially with some good green sauce on it.
The only way this menu would be racist is if it included grape drink, a lotto ticket and a pack of menthol cigs.
Good Solid B-Plus on February 4, 2010 at 9:58 PM
http://www.tea-n-crumpets.com/
davidk on February 4, 2010 at 10:00 PM
Hueavos rancheros–smothered.
davidk on February 4, 2010 at 10:03 PM
This is what happens when Popeye’s runs out of fried chicken…
Caper29 on February 4, 2010 at 10:07 PM
Shame, shame, shame for hurting that poor woman’s feelings. She’s black, she made an effort in honor of her race, and she got kicked in the teeth for it. Nothing like demoralizing someone who tried to do something good.
elclynn on February 4, 2010 at 10:10 PM
A good steak, cooked right, is about as close as you can get to God, in this life.
When I say cooked right, I mean pink in the middle, juices on your plate. Any other way, well, just pull up your panties and go to Starbucks.
TXUS on February 4, 2010 at 10:16 PM
Well this has been fun but I’m gettin’ a little hungry. Think I’ll go dig around and see if I can find me a R-OH-C Cola and a Moon Pie.
Oldnuke on February 4, 2010 at 10:17 PM
I grew up in the South and that menu was at every b-q we ever had. Oh well, I get the stereotypes.
hmfearny on February 4, 2010 at 10:32 PM
I have been to a lot of functions over the years given by my black friends and they have all have had several things in common…fried chicken, macoroni and cheese (the real stuff) collard greens …cobbler and almost always ribs… bar b qued or dried rub…and it is always so so good! So what is the offense? Black people do these so well!
CCRWM on February 4, 2010 at 10:43 PM
Didn’t Fuzzy Zoeller get into trouble for suggesting this same menu after Tiger won The Masters?
chewmeister on February 4, 2010 at 11:10 PM
That woman is so sweet and so hurt, so let her make her soul food, NBC!!
Can’t we write to them or something?
PattyJ on February 4, 2010 at 11:17 PM
“The Canadian Gov’t has apologized for Bryan Adams on numerous occasions”-South Park
viviliberoomuori on February 4, 2010 at 11:29 PM
I didn’t see fried okra.
Where’s the FRIED OKRA !!!!
BowHuntingTexas on February 4, 2010 at 11:34 PM
America just needs to get past all this racial crap.
Mojave Mark on February 4, 2010 at 11:38 PM
I don’t remember the Clintoons getting offended when their family reunion featured corn dogs, vye-een-ah sore-sage and potted meat.
Seriously though, anyone who can find something wrong with any chef serving fried chicken anywhere, anytime, any place (except at a PETA convention, of course) probably needs a checkup from the neck up.
viking01 on February 5, 2010 at 12:11 AM
So we know that crr6 creates the menus at the NBC mess.
daesleeper on February 5, 2010 at 12:11 AM
Yeah, almost mooing is the best…you gott get used to the blood in your eggs though…ymm, steak, eggs and hash browns…
lovingmyUSA on February 5, 2010 at 12:13 AM
I grew up with fried chicken, pulled pork, mustard greens, collards, fried okra, smoke neck, and grape kool aid. We had it because my family was southern, and that’s just what we had. I didn’t know racism could taste so good.
Laura in Maryland on February 5, 2010 at 12:23 AM
+5
Laura in Maryland on February 5, 2010 at 12:23 AM
You know you’ve walked into a great steak restaurant when you order a rare steak and they ask “Would that be with a cool center or warm center?”.
I just tell them it should go MOO when I stab it with my fork.
BowHuntingTexas on February 5, 2010 at 12:24 AM
I’ve been in the Air National Guard for almost a decade and every year for black history month they serve the exact same menu at the chow hall. I personally always thought it to be racist. However, someone made an issue out of it last year and found out that the base has an African American committee that plans the meal.
danNYtrack on February 5, 2010 at 12:32 AM
Jes knock the horns off it and slap it on the plate. What I don’t eat I’ll ride home
phineas on February 5, 2010 at 12:49 AM
Well, if anyone needs another example of the stupidity of all this Progressive PC Racism Bull S#it… here it is.
ronnyraygun on February 5, 2010 at 1:13 AM
No okra? (Bueller?) Sorry, no sale — I’ll get my soul food somewhere else.
Speaking of Man vs. Food, hope no fans missed yesterday’s live episode, where Adam made a Don Shula 48-ounce porterhouse disappear in 16 mins and change.
RD on February 5, 2010 at 1:17 AM
Remember when being American meant living your life to its fullest.
I have some advice for the lady. Next Thursday, do it again, and with the same passion for the food that you expressed today.
And when they fire you publicly, there will be a hundred job offers for you.
Carpe Diem, honey.
Saltysam on February 5, 2010 at 1:24 AM
You
peoplefolks are missing the sheer genius here. The menu was created in honor of Black History month and is considered racist. Sooo… by extension that means that Black History month is.. (say it with me) Raaacist!And I take the chef at face value (like anyone without a racial axe to grind) that she was only trying to be nice. Nobody’s calling Sylvia’s restaurant (about 60 blocks uptown) racist, are they?
P.S. Isn’t this the same NBC commissary that Johnny Carson used to mock?
P.P.S. I was at a Jamaican restaurant once, with friends, minding my own business and enjoying my meal when a black gentleman passed our table and said, “I didn’t know white folks ate N-gga food!” It’s probably a good thing that I didn’t have a snarky reply ready.
DuffBeer on February 5, 2010 at 1:33 AM
What a shame that such a meal is now considered “ethnic” or even “racist.” They may classify it as “soul food” now, but growing up a White Southerner, that was just good old down home cooking everyone ate, regardless of race and many of us still do.
LewWaters on February 5, 2010 at 1:39 AM
For God’s sake, what the hell is wrong with you people. Some of the best fried chicken is made by an African-American who owns a diner. His chicken is so good, he was featured on a segment on the Food Network channel. Bet he wouldn’t be offended by this menu.
I’m from the midwest and was raised on chicken fried in a cast iron skillet and served with pan gravy! Chicken and dumplin’s, and chicken fried steak. Why would anyone take offense at their ethnic roots being highlighted? I have to say that some of the best food in the country has it’s roots in the black community. Down-home, hearty and simple.
Guess these whining “elites” have switched to arugula.
hopefloats on February 5, 2010 at 2:04 AM
Needs arugula.
Ronnie on February 5, 2010 at 2:06 AM
Man vs. Food, Allah? I thought you were a QVC guy myself.
linlithgow on February 5, 2010 at 2:13 AM
Didn’t libidiots force KFC to stop its fried chicken ad
IN AUSTRALIA recently
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vThiAzur9_M
macncheez on February 5, 2010 at 2:23 AM
Phogetaboutit ?
Pho-modoro ?
macncheez on February 5, 2010 at 2:31 AM
This is another (yet another, like, the zillionth and fifth) time wherein anyone not Leftwing enough (by genes or Leftwingism — I realize that not all Blacks are Leftwing but the Leftwing really maligns any Black who isn’t) is belitted and deemed offensive to Blacks (or, name a Leftwing generalization here based upon skin tone, gender or behavior).
How many TIMES have I heard attacks on anyone/everyone who uses certain words when or if they’re either Conservative OR of lighter skin color as to Negroes? Yet Negroes use the same words all.the.time about themselves.
So I guess now my “Soul Food” Cookbook is racist? And that fried chicken I make that everyone wants is racist, too? I guess I’m not privileged enough now to buy collard greens in the market — not being dark enough — so I’ll take to finding them somewhere else.
I’m the “least Black” individual genetically you’ll ever find but I do love to cook food of the South, which, unfortunately today, is now attempting to be reclaimed as “Soul Food” or code term for “Blacks only” (or by them).
Not so, not at all so. But this kind of criticism from people is beyond ridiculous, being upset at that menu, I mean, there are restaurants in L.A. (as in other places) that are dedicated to making and serving and selling this very same menu and I guess now no one lighter can go in there or even speak the menu out loud.
Ridiculous. Next up, perhaps: Mexican food. I guess we’re all “racists” now if we say the word, “tortilla” and are not Hispanic/Latino (and by the way, which word is the current Politically Correct one because it’s the one I’m going to stop using).
Lourdes on February 5, 2010 at 2:34 AM
I just got moderated for using the CORRECT TERM FOR A CERTAIN RACE who has dark skin and originated in a continent south of Europe.
Lourdes on February 5, 2010 at 2:35 AM
This P.C. stuff is just, it’s just nuts.
Lourdes on February 5, 2010 at 2:36 AM
NBC better stay away from a relative of mine’s home in a large state in the Southwest. It’s on the National Historical Society’s list, a protected structure and property since it was built back when the state was first colonized from the Eastcoasters (generally), back two centuries ago, and all it’s structures have been well preserved. It has a horse-hitching post out front by the main entrance that’s an iron statue of “Little Black Sambo”.
People need to get with it and understand that rewriting history, or stamping it out, while punishing inquiries or even studies of history, is not a very productive message as to our current civilization.
The “bad messages” among humanity are usually identified pretty easily by most decent people. But placing negative stereotypes on “all” of this, that or whomever, whatever, is truly the ACTUAL “-ism” we are undergoing. Liberals are responsible for that and are, actually, the most prejudiced among us.
Lourdes on February 5, 2010 at 2:41 AM
Not to mention grits. A big shocker for many a friend of mine when they visit/move out West or up North is, “no grits at the store.”
Lourdes on February 5, 2010 at 2:42 AM
The real black history month doesnt get all those foods. Are you kidding me? How many Blacks outside the south can cook all that? FEW!
Want real black history month food? I can attest! Burrito’s, yeah odd right? Guess what, Its the first word black people learned in Spanish. Taco is a close second thanks to tacobell. Sadly tacobell has little to do with mexican food.
Gedge on February 5, 2010 at 3:18 AM
Marc Lamont Hill on RedEye: “If they had malt liquor and watermelon there, *that* would be racist.” :)
RD on February 5, 2010 at 3:26 AM
It’s funny how the elitists think that all home-cooking is “Soul Food.”
Evan Allah sez “I’ve only eaten soul food a few times but…”
Come down to Maryland and try our fried chicken. Our crab cakes are the best. In the winter we even have muskrat dinners, and our chicken-and-(slippery) dumplins are the best.
shorebird on February 5, 2010 at 3:34 AM
If you want to witness local flavor, come to Northwest Ohio for the German fests. Sausage. Sauerkraut. Folks with the last name of Neuenhauser. :)
If the MSNBC cameras came to show how “racist” that is, some of our stout farm men would take ‘em out. East coast weenies. Probably never bailed hay or wrestled a pig in their life.
Grace_is_sufficient on February 5, 2010 at 4:54 AM
that’s some good eatin’ there in NC as well….coleslaw is a great topping on burgers and dogs as well…
cmsinaz on February 5, 2010 at 6:38 AM
During the Nor’easter tomorrow, we’re making us some chicken and dumplins – anything other than slippery ain’t dumpins.
That menu is not racist – it was quite a common sight when I lived in Virginia. Man, I miss southern sweet tea!
Anna on February 5, 2010 at 7:52 AM
No wonder the racist Keith Olbermann & the racist Chris Matthews feel at home at MSNBC.
Didn’t Phil Mickelson (IIRC) get in trouble for suggestion that Tiger Woods was goin to have a meal of fried chicken & collard greens a few years back?
rbj on February 5, 2010 at 8:15 AM
I bet they serve enchiladas, tacos, and tamales on Cinco de Mayo…
Farmer Brown on February 5, 2010 at 8:16 AM
“Black History Month” is racist.
awake on February 5, 2010 at 8:22 AM
I must’ve led a protected life.
I don’t “get” that.
Are we talkin’ about the “Fried Chicken”?… The “Collard Greens/Smoked Turkey”?.. The “White Rice/Black-eyed peas”?.. Or, the “Jalapeno Cornbread”?
And, if any one of those is “associated with racist stereotypes,” why wouldn’t “Ribs”?
Here, in the backwoods of Spokane, I’ve never heard anyone say, “He’s a Fried Chicken-eater,” derogatorily.
None of this makes much sense, to me.
franksalterego on February 5, 2010 at 8:30 AM
Well first of all let me say that I would be at the front of the line for this meal! Mmmmmmmm.
But I think that if this had happened at the Fox News Commissary Leslie Calhoun would have been one of the first to scream RACISM!!!!!!!
conservnut on February 5, 2010 at 8:34 AM
There ya’ go.
Lourdes on February 5, 2010 at 8:46 AM
I’m laughing a bit because hamburgers are of German origin, so is brautwurst, not to mention a whole lot of other foods today that are commonplace as “fast food”. Eaten quite a bit by all races.
So is the hamburger racist? OhMyGosh, what about French Fries? PIZZA?!?
Lourdes on February 5, 2010 at 8:51 AM
As a ol’ Memphis boy living in NW Mississippi, I’m keeping my mouth shut. Welcome to our diet. Was the chicken mild or spicy? And I agree. Where’s the fried okra? Fried green ‘maters? pecan pie? sweet potato pie?
kingsjester on February 5, 2010 at 8:52 AM
I would love that meal, and I’m white. But on the surface, that lunch menu perpetuates some stereotypes.
It’d be like celebrating White History Month with whitebread and crackers. Of course, any business that celebrated White History Month would be surrounded by FBI agents in full body armor, with helicopters overhead, too.
hawksruleva on February 5, 2010 at 8:54 AM
Fried chicken is not a black thing anyway, its a Southern thing. I’m as white as they come and growing up every Sunday, my grandmother would fry up some chicken (that she killed and plucked herself) and make up ‘a mess of greens’. Black eyed peas and jalapeno cornbread were also common staples. This is ridiculous.
Keli on February 5, 2010 at 9:03 AM
They couldn’t find any watermelon?
What? what? I happen to like watermelon. And fried chicken. Even collard greens, if they’re made right with a bit o’ bacon added.
I R A Darth Aggie on February 5, 2010 at 9:11 AM
Soul food isn’t black food. It’s poor Southerner’s food.
I grew up eating all of that stuff and I’m white.
halfastro on February 5, 2010 at 9:17 AM
I had fried chicken last night.
Really.
Here in Tennessee, that is just good Southern cooking…can’t wait for home-grown okra this summer; gonna fry it up. Now that’s good food.
ladyingray on February 5, 2010 at 9:22 AM
Knock it’s horns off and wipe it’s ass!
therealfranklin on February 5, 2010 at 9:23 AM
(b) last I checked, soul food was part of
blacksouthern culture,uknowmorethanme on February 5, 2010 at 9:24 AM
That’s exactly how I remember it….as southern food with no color attached.
jbh45 on February 5, 2010 at 9:27 AM
Looks just like a hunk of the menu at Aunt Kizzy’s Back Porch in Marina del Rey. And there’s a problem here?
unclesmrgol on February 5, 2010 at 9:35 AM
We eat good here in The South, don’t we?
ladyingray on February 5, 2010 at 9:37 AM
I guess there is a problem. I’m looking over the comments at mediaite, and there are people calling for the cook’s head on a platter:
unclesmrgol on February 5, 2010 at 9:42 AM
Bwahahahahahhahahahahhaha!!!!!
BallisticBob on February 5, 2010 at 9:56 AM
Okay; Remove all the fried chicken joints from overtown!
Cybergeezer on February 5, 2010 at 10:00 AM
At the request of the color black and in honor of Black History month. The PC menu should read as follows:
Main course: Blackened Redfish.
Vegetable: Black Eyed Peas
Dessert: Blackberry Cobbler
Beverage: Black Cherry Soda or Black Coffee
redridinghood on February 5, 2010 at 10:02 AM
Dem fried chickens, comin’ home to roost!
Cybergeezer on February 5, 2010 at 10:03 AM
The community college near my house tried that last year and it caused a huge uproar. All they did was serve fried chicken for a Black History month event! By some people’s reactions, you’d think they formed a lynch mob or something.
It’s politically correct ridiculousness.
CityFish on February 5, 2010 at 10:05 AM
This is racism against the Southern Etiquette. Not black history.
Cybergeezer on February 5, 2010 at 10:10 AM
Wanda Sykes was hilarious about this story. The woman who created the menu is Black and didn’t understand the objection.
Honestly, though, Sykes was truly funny.
AnninCA on February 5, 2010 at 10:10 AM
It would only be racist if Fox had done it.
t.ferg on February 5, 2010 at 10:17 AM
NBC is liberal, ergo NBC cannot be racist any more than those scores of black teens who beat up that white guy.
Extrafishy on February 5, 2010 at 10:30 AM
White people do these well too! Especially Southern white people. Southern cooking, or country cooking as the folks back home call it is not ethnic it’s regional.
Oldnuke on February 5, 2010 at 10:39 AM
Double +1.
That said, I don’t think it’s that racist to have soul food on the menu. If it were Columbus day or St. Patrick’s Day, Italian or Irish food would be either.
Urban Infidel on February 5, 2010 at 10:39 AM
This exemplifies the liberal elite’s contempt for the people. They think this covers their own detestable racism by pretending they are down for the struggle.
They perpetually aim for division amongst the people, and their power hinges on this. If we ever discover that we share the common American bond regardless of all our differences, they lose.
Saltysam on February 5, 2010 at 10:44 AM
I’m amidwesterner, but, will have to agree with you on that with a few exceptions. My mother’s chicken and homemade noodle dish would make anyone an addict. Served with mashed potatoes, homemade bread, churned butter, and garden veggies. Every region has good cooking but I really do love that from the south. I’m happy that no one has mentioned tofu.:)
a capella on February 5, 2010 at 10:58 AM
Perhaps this will be construed as racist, but I witnessed this incident in Morgan county IN 2 years ago(long known for its violent racism in the past):
A black man was driving an old beat-up ’60s model Cadillac with one hand in downtown Martinsville and eating from a huge slice of watermelon in his other hand.
I kid you not.
And that is not the end of that observations: there was a small carton of a fried chicken container sitting on his dash.
Badger40 on February 5, 2010 at 11:08 AM
Me too. I wonder how Southern cooking became “soul food.” I guess folks out west and in yankeeland are easily fooled.
Kafir on February 5, 2010 at 11:10 AM
I love southern food, too.
So please tell me why people like Bob Evans?
I grade good southern cooking based on their preparation of fried mush-Bob Evans makes yucky fried mush.
Luckily, every summer I visit my grandma in S. IN, she makes me fried mush :)
Badger40 on February 5, 2010 at 11:10 AM
Nahh. Just ignorant.
If you ever come to ND you will be severely disappointed in their menu.
I do love living in ND, but cuisine-wise, these northerners have tasteless food.
Badger40 on February 5, 2010 at 11:11 AM
Having fried chicken during black history month is about as racist as having fried chicken at a Southern Baptist covered dish get together on the fifth Sunday night of the month. Southerners of all colors have excellent cooking skills because everything tastes better with butter and fatback mixed in. ;)
j_galt on February 5, 2010 at 11:19 AM
Fried mush is easy. If you want to spice it up a bit, throw in a few seeded, minced jalapenas and a little cinammon when cooking. I use half cornmeal-half flour to fry, then you have to choose,..syrup, or butter, salt, and pepper. Fry it in bacon grease and use another fry pan for your eggs and sausage.
a capella on February 5, 2010 at 11:23 AM
You don’t care for lutefisk? You’re right though – we aren’t known for our cuisine, or for much of anything really.
thevastlane on February 5, 2010 at 11:26 AM
Badger40 on February 5, 2010 at 11:11 AM
We had a Bob Evans in NW MS and it closed down. It was next to a Drury Inn (of course). I can’t wait until my friends’ Super Bowl Party. Velveeta Rotell dip w/ground beef or sausage, wings, white chili, pizza, etc. It’s making me hungry for some country fried steak with white gravy and mashed taters.
kingsjester on February 5, 2010 at 11:27 AM
I understand the criticism. It wouldn’t be appropriate to hold a watermelon eating contest to celebrate that month, either. *haha
It’s good that the woman who created the menu is Black. She got her conscience raised, too.
AnninCA on February 5, 2010 at 11:36 AM
The snow’s starting to come down pretty good here in The Burg. I’m thinking chili and cornbread, or lamb stew and some crusty homemade bread.
Oldnuke on February 5, 2010 at 11:36 AM
I’ve got some homemade chicken noodle soup in the freezer that I’m going to pull out. I have to stop my cooking spree here. 5 lbs.
*yikes!*
AnninCA on February 5, 2010 at 11:39 AM
AnninCA on February 5, 2010 at 11:36 AM
Oh yeah we sure wouldn’t want to hold a watermelon festival in the south. Now that’d just be racist. Whatever the month.
Oldnuke on February 5, 2010 at 11:40 AM
A watermelon festival is OK as long as it’s just for white people. If you let black people come then it would be racist. Wait a minute … if you don’t let black people come then it’s racist. Dang! I just can’t figure this stuff out.
j_galt on February 5, 2010 at 11:48 AM
We have a livermush festival down the road. fry it up nice and crisp, out it on toast with mayo… mmm mmm mmm i love some livermush.
j_galt on February 5, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Yeah, you actually do have the rules down pat. :)
No watermelon festivals during Black History month. And avoid fried chicken jokes.
AnninCA on February 5, 2010 at 12:03 PM
That one is new to me. Like moose chili?
AnninCA on February 5, 2010 at 12:03 PM
We need a National Redneck Month so we can serve fried okra in our cafeteria.
This administration has been eating boiled okra; Ain’t nothin’ slipperier.
Cybergeezer on February 5, 2010 at 12:08 PM
AnninCA on February 5, 2010 at 12:15 PM
Well, I don’t see them much in the South anymore … but back in the 70′s and early 80′s we had all kinds of “Soul Food” restaurants down here and they served this exact same kind of menu – along with a lot of other things (pig’s feet comes to mind).
It was a cultural thing … and I thought it was a pretty neat thing (though I didn’t really like the food). I think most of it fell victim to the health food nazi busy bodies – who didn’t like the food because it was chock full of transfat and cholesterol. I think most AA’s don’t really eat this kind of food anymore for this reason. They eat healthier nowadays. Even the collard greens back then really weren’t that healthy for all the bacon grease and butter in them. I know about a lot of this because it’s the same stuff a lot of poor whites ate back in the day.
There’s really nothing to see here and I think actually, it’s kind of neat. You don’t want to eat this stuff everyday – but it’s nice “occasional” thing to do and it certainly brings back great memories.
HondaV65 on February 5, 2010 at 12:16 PM
Could someone PLEASE post instructions for making excellent fried chicken?
RushBaby on February 5, 2010 at 12:19 PM
I find it strange that getting drunk on St. Patrick’s Day is cool as well as getting drunk and eating Mexican food on Cinco de Mayo is cool. (I would have added eating Irish food on St. Patty’s Day, but Irish food sucks). But eating fried chicken and collard greens one day during the entire Black History month is racist. Where are all the white elitists who want to tell us we’re racist for getting drunk and eating Mexican food?
I’ll second National Redneck Month! But we’ll have to be wary of displaying anything that might be offensive or racist.
j_galt on February 5, 2010 at 12:19 PM
1. buy chicken.
2. pan fry chicken.
3. eat chicken alone in the dark so no one sees you and thinks you are a racist.
j_galt on February 5, 2010 at 12:25 PM
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