Independence Day, Freedom and One More Black Chef

Hercules
photo by Virginia.org

Happy Fourth of July, Meltingpot Readers!

I don't know about you, but as an adult, the Fourth of July just isn't as much fun as it was when I was a child. Growing up, the 4th was my favorite holiday. We decorated our bikes, participated in the neighborhood parades, played old-fashioned games at the park and ate ice cream. At night, it was a big family bar-b-cue followed by fireworks down by the lake.

Now that we live in Philadelphia, the birthplace of the nation, you'd think the 4th would be an even bigger deal, but somehow the thrill is gone for me. And part of the reason is that when we talk about celebrating our independence, the great hypocrisy of an independent nation with enslaved individuals as the backbone of the country's success, just doesn't sit well with me. What are we truly celebrating?

But, I'm not mad. I love this country and the independent spirit that defines it. And like I always do, I have found the way to honor 'my people' and their unique contributions to independence. So, instead of praising the founding fathers who saw fit to reduce their slaves to less than human status in their declaration of independence, I am celebrating the Black men and women who fought for their own independence, instead of waiting for it.

Since I have Black chefs on the mind and George Washington is kind all over the 4th of July holiday, I'm celebrating the life and courage of Washington's excellent (enslaved) chef, Hercules. Known only by his first name, Hercules ruled the presidential kitchen with an iron skillet, replaced the previous White chef because his culinary skills were just that good, and was a budding entrepreneur who enjoyed a respected status in Free Black society in 18th century Philadelphia. But still, he was slave and that didn't sit well with him. So he planned and executed a flawless escape. He fled on Washington's 65th birthday, never to be heard from again. Now that's freedom and independence I can celebrate. To read more about Hercules, and his culinary genius, check out this link.

And however you celebrate this day, make it a good one! BTW, we're having tacos for dinner before the fireworks. That's the Meltingpot way.

Peace!

A Black Man and A Mormon Walk into a Bar...

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

I'm sorry for not posting yesterday, but I'm in the middle of correcting final exams. And because I teach writing courses, my 'exams' are long papers and projects so, dear readers, the blog gets neglected. But I can't leave you without something to chew on this week. So, please take a peek at the following article peened by two AP writers on The Black Guy and The Mormon Who Want to Be President of the USA. That's my headline, not theirs. Their headline is a little more understated: "Race, Religion Collide in 2012 Election." But still, it's a good story. Check it out please and let me know.

What effect, if any, do you think Romney's religion will have on voters? What do you think is easier to 'ignore?' Race or religion?

You know I'm listening.

Peace!

Organic Moonshine Roots Music: Introducing Valerie June

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

Whenever I discover a new creative crush, I always want to share the love. Well, people, I am in love. I was doing some research on the on-line natural hair movement and stumbled across a website called The Coil Review. Apparently the Coil Review features interviews with women who have something to say about natural hair but also have something extra-ordinary going on in their lives as well. I clicked on an interview with a singer I'd never heard of before named, Valerie June.

Just listening to the interview, without hearing her sing a single note, I knew I'd love her voice. Not one to easily categorize, June says she sings, "organic moonshine roots music." Just the poetry in that self-created label and the southern twang in her husky voice had me hooked. When I searched on line for samples of her music, I was immediately enraptured. Take a listen.



What do you think? Doesn't her voice remind you of pancakes, corn grits and sunflowers on a Sunday morning? I'm just so supremely thrilled I discovered her now, just when I thought the X-factor and American Idol had completely destroyed the idea of originality in music. Has anybody else been a Valerie June fan for awhile and want to tell me something about her that I don't know?

I'm totally listening.

Peace.

Slaves in the President's House

Hello Meltingpot Readers,

Today I went to visit "The President's House" in Center City, Philadelphia. The President's House is where George Washington and John Adams resided in the years of their respective presidencies (approximately 1790-1800). The actual house itself has long since been demolished but some archaeologists recently discovered some pieces of the house's foundation. And not just any parts, but the slave quarters where our first president kept his slaves, essentially in the basement.

Once discovered, the City of Brotherly Love had a hard time deciding how to display this historic artifact, paying homage to our first president, but also pointing out that he was a slave owner who really had no interest in freeing his human bondage. What's more, Washington deliberately rotated his slaves back and forth between his Virginia plantation and his Philadelphia home, to ensure they could not take advantage of the law that allowed any Black person in residence in Philadelphia for more than six months to be free.

So, the resulting exhibit in Philadelphia is open to the public and cleverly displayed, considering they had very little actual artifacts to work with, but there's something missing. We call this exhibit "The President's House," but the actual bricks and mortar that were discovered are pieces of "The Slave Quarters," and yet nowhere in the signage or display is there a sign that indicates that. Don't get me wrong, the slaves have not been forgotten in the exhibit, but can't we just lay it all out on the table? It seems we're still trying to whitewash history.

(sigh)

"Three Sisters" in the Garden -- Food for Thought

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

I'm sure everyone knows that Michelle Obama has taken on the nation's health as her personal mission during her husband's term in office. We know about the White House Garden and the Let's Move Campaign, but maybe, like me, you hadn't heard about Madam FLOTUS's "Three Sisters" garden.

What's a Three Sisters Garden, you ask?

"Perhaps the best known products of Native agriculture in North America are corn, beans, and squash, "the Three Sisters.” These plants work together in the garden and in our diets. Beans produce nitrogen in the soil to feed the corn and squash. Corn provides a sturdy stalk for the beans to climb. Squash plants provide ground cover to keep down weeds and keep the ground moist. The three in combination make for a very healthy start toward a balanced diet." From the NMAI blog

Mrs. Obama apparently wanted to highlight the influence Native American culture has had on the "American" diet but she also wanted to bring some much needed awareness to the health crisis plaguing the Native American community, thus her garden.

I've never heard of a Three Sisters Garden, but I think it's such a wonderful idea. And I'm so impressed that Mrs. O, decided to make Native American health a national priority. Too often, way too often Native Americans are truly the invisible ethnic group in this country, which may explain why it is only now that I'm hearing about the Three Sisters Garden, even though it was planted in June. Did anyone else hear about it? I'm curious if I just had my eyes closed or perhaps the mainstream media is intent on keeping Native American issues on the back page.

To see a video of the garden, click here. To read more about the garden check out the article on the National Museum of the American Indian blog.

I'm just being dorky here, but wouldn't it be cool if there was a section of the garden representing all of the major ethnic groups in this country? What would that look like? What fruits or vegetables would be in your section. You know in my family garden, that is my kinky gazpacho garden we'd have to have tomatoes and okra.

Peace!