After having read the food-related articles on ‘Race and Exclusion in the Food Systems’ provide a discussion on the following:
- Article: If They Only Knew, The Unbearable Whiteness of the Alternative Food Movement
- What is the alternative food movement?
- Does the alternative food movement need an alternative? Whether you agree or disagree, discuss why.
- What does it mean to be food insecure?
- Does colorblindness in the food system perpetuate racism and food insecurity?
- Does your community have a farmer’s / greenmarket? If so, do you shop there? If your community does not have one, provide a discussion why that condition exists.
- Article: The Farms Born from the Storms
- Discuss how the food systems in Puerto Rico are colonized. In other words, generally speaking, why have large swaths of Puerto Ricans whether they live in PR or NYC stopped eating foods such as malanga, yuca, yautia, mofongo, etc.—and instead, taken to eating pizza, burgers, Chipotle, etc.
- Do you think the farm movement is the first step towards decolonizing the island’s food system? Is this vision achievable? Discuss.
- Article: Bayaminina
- Overall thoughts on this short story—and the interactions between the police officer and vendor.
- Do these conditions currently exist in your community?
- Do you see street vendors as an added welcome or a nuisance? How, if at all, does it impact the local bodega?
Note: 600-word minimum response. This assignment will count for 10 points.
