“We want to acknowledge some feedback received regarding our Juneteenth celebration,” Pezzuto said in his letter obtained by The North Carolina Beat. “Although our intent was to celebrate this nationally recognized day, some of you voiced your concerns regarding the associated food choices.”
In other words, we’re sorry you were offended.
The thing is that both are great foods but knowing how a southern white clown thinks… they meant it. Fuk 'em
Right? I’ve never understood how that became a stereotype in the first place. Fried chicken is basically ubiquitous in all cultures in one form or another, including Europe. Turns out the vast majority of people like deep fried meat. Were southern elites just lying their asses off like “fried chicken? Yeah, disgusting. Totally hate it”?
Such a dumb fucking stereotype
Chickens were often the only animals enslaved people were allowed to raise for themselves. Like many racist stereotypes, it’s more rooted in the 20th Century than slavery or early American history. There used to be some chain restaurants - notably Coon Chicken Inn - that used racist caricatures to sell their fried chicken, so it’s basically an advertising meme.
but knowing how a southern white clown thinks
The weird thing is a huge percentage of people living in Charlotte aren’t even from the south. There are a lot of corporations headquartered in Charlotte, which has led to a huge influx of transplants over the last two decades. Hell, It’s got a large enough Western NY population that there are Sabres/Bills bars and I could get regional products like white hots at the grocery store.
Source: I was one of them until two months ago when I relocated again.
oh, you don’t need to be white to think this was a good idea.
Not really wanting to weigh in myself if he’s right or wrong.
If fried chicken and watermelon were the only things served, then there’s a problem. Otherwise, no.
Unless the other things served were grape drink and Newports.
The topic is a mine field for a big company. I think lots of people do eat fried chicken on Juneteenth celebrations, and red foods in general are part of the theme, but the problem is that fried chicken and watermelon are among the stereotypes that have been applied to black folks for generations.
I’m an old white guy. If my boss gave me the responsibility of arranging food for a Juneteenth celebration, I would suggest that there’s too many ways the company could end up looking poorly, and would probably suggest a company poll/survey (which of these main dishes, which of these sides, etc.) to let the people decide. Better, since my company has a black employees association, I’d suggest that we have that group lead it and give them a budget.
My point is that a company should have the sense to make sure they approach sensitive situations carefully.
My company did it the right way — they gave us the day off.
I could see this as a generic summer theme, but I mean come on.
