A New York middle school found itself in a lose-lose situation after serving up chicken, waffles, and watermelon on the first day of Black History Month this week. If it had served Italian food it probably would have been blasted for upholding white supremacy.
In the case of the middle school and its vendor, Aramark, both organizations have found themselves in the crosshairs of the woke mob,. Fox News reported. The mob deemed the lunch offering insensitive and culturally appropriative for reinforcing stereotypes of which everyone is aware. Aramark has even agreed to participate in racial sensitivity training to atone for its sins.
Of course, we could also easily see this playing out the other way. Is it a stretch to imagine the school and vendor being praised for its inclusive meal plan? Chicken, waffles, and watermelon are enjoyed by countless Americans, and though the stereotype often focuses around the black population, it’s also just true.
The woke mob is insidious precisely because it changes the rules whenever it wants and what it finds offensive one time is acceptable in another. The lack of consistency is what gives it control and power over others.
So for now, the New York school is making the standard apology tour.
“We are extremely disappointed by this regrettable situation and apologize to the entire Nyack community for the cultural insensitivity displayed by our food service provider,” Nyack Middle School Principal David Johnson released in a statement.
Johnson also said the vendor made the last-minute change without notifying the school and placed the blame solely on the vendor.
“I am disappointed that Aramark would serve items that differed from the published monthly menu. Especially items that reinforce negative stereotypes concerning the African-American Community,” he added.
Aramark also released the boilerplate public apology that neither addresses individuals’ grievances for solves any problems.
“While our menu was not intended as a cultural meal, we acknowledge that the timing was inappropriate, and our team should have been more thoughtful in its service,” the Aramark statement said, somehow pretending that reinforcing one of the most widespread southern stereotypes was merely an accident. “This was a mistake and does not represent the values of our company, and we are committed to doing better in the future.”
The company also said it would be partnering with the district to offer employees a chance to learn more about its “vision and commitment to equity-driven work.”
The entire episode smacks of looking for trouble where none begins. If the school had served spaghetti and meatballs on Columbus Day or green french fries on Saint Patrick’s Day, the odds that anyone would complain are about zero in a million.
What’s more, other black food vendors actually promote chicken and waffles as a special meal. Shaunda Necole appears to be a black food blogger who celebrated a recipe for what she called “Black Folks Southern Fried Chicken And Waffles Recipe.”
Does she need to attend racial sensitivity training too?
Here is how Necole described her recipe:
The name says it all. The soul food chain Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘N Waffles serves Black folks fried chicken and waffles, together and separately, alongside other soul food menu specialties.
Southern fried chicken and waffles recipe is the perfect pair for a delicious and soulful breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner!
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