“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 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.
Didn’t this happen last year, too? Feels like this isn’t the first time I’ve seen this headline.
Back in the mid-2000’s the cafeteria at Capital One did this but it was for a day in February to honor Black History Month. I remember getting a good laugh out of it, mostly because it was clearly done on purpose, for what reason I can’t say.
Isn’t that considered the traditional meal that is served on Juneteenth? I’m not trying to be an asshole. I also think that you’re supposed to serve a red drink too.
https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/a36479941/juneteenth-food-traditions/
Looks to me like BBQ chicken would have been more appropriate, but I’m a white guy, so I’m going to say that I have no place picking a corporate Juneteenth menu. I’m not even sure it’s appropriate for a corp to have a Juneteenth celebration - give people the freedom to recognize it however they like, without the oversight of corporate bosses. It’s like having a corporate seder for rosh hashanah or an eid al-Fitr: guaranteed to go badly.
If the corp does insist on having a party, they need to have members of the relevant community as prominent organizers, not some dude named Pezzuto. A white guy planning Juneteenth is going to be either condescending or cultural appropriation.
The issue is having just fried chicken and watermelon, which are tied to extremely racist stereotypes. If they’d been part of a meal then there would be no issue (fried chicken and watermelon are both extremely delecious…) but they weren’t.
Reading the article, it seems like it may have been more of a case of poor judgement from management instead of intentional racism (maybe subconscious stereotyping, though). It’s a really stupid mistake. For any holiday, all you have to do is ask the team for input BEFORE making decisions and you can avoid most of this nonsense.
It was intentional, they served grape soda too.
The day commemorates the liberation of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas in 1865, following the Civil War and President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation two years prior.
I mean, technically correct, but it wasn’t really about Galveston. It’s about how that was when the last of people heard the news. It represents how long it takes for actual rights and freedoms to be even told to people. I think it represents all yhag is wrong with the struggles of obtaining AND ENJOYING rights and freedoms. I feel like their summary was a bit too brief and simplifying.
North Carolina being North Carolina. I am sure it made perfect sense to them.
Feels racist but my work doesn’t even celebrate…This is NC though. I’d expect those are staples.
Racism or the food?
I think both
Damn. Saw this bit today. Relevant.
Dude just get pizza like every other work function, jeez.
Our office didn’t even recognize it. IIRC we did the last 2 years, not this year. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
My company (quasi-government) changed Columbus Day being off to Juneteenth being off.
You’re in the South and this was the closest thing to soul food you could find, huh?
Look, I understand, but that’s a damn good meal.
