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Phatcat15 t1_j9utlz2 wrote

Reply to comment by nhabz in [Homemade] Grilled chicken with jerk rub, sweet potato with butter and honey, and collard greens by kaganey

As a northern white - am I wrong? I didn’t even know what collard greens were until I was in my mid 20s. I even asked a southern black kid to explain it to me (because that’s what he told me he requested be part of his birthday dinner) he just said ‘you know … greens.’ I was like alright yeah I have no idea what he’s talking about so I’ll figure it out on my own.

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LoverOfGrilledCheese t1_j9vdqb9 wrote

As a southern white guy, I eat collards quite often.

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Phatcat15 t1_j9vl948 wrote

Fair enough… I literally had no clue what they were. Apparently there is also dandelion recipes that are similar? I just got a kick out the kid I asked - his family was hilariously southern - like his grandma used to make sweet potato pies which I don’t really ever see from the northerners I’ve been around my entire life. He was literally looking at me like - I can’t believe you don’t know greens… and I was looking at him like - I can’t believe you think I have any idea what you’re talking about.

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kaganey OP t1_j9x35zt wrote

I’ll admit laughed at your original comment. I mean, it’s not exactly PC because it’s generalizing a race. Obviously, many Black dudes don’t eat this kind of food and many non-Black dudes do.
That said, there is no question that this meal has a strong Afro-Caribbean influence. Collard greens are straight outta Africa. While the sweet potato, cultivated for centuries as “batata” by Caribbean tribes, was a good substitute for African cassava root for African slaves in the Caribbean. Likewise, jerk chicken developed in the Caribbean as a fusion of African cooking techniques and flavor preferences with what ingredients were available in the Caribbean. So, you’re not exactly wrong. I wouldn’t have phrased it that way, but I also wouldn’t have “white knighted” to defend a race when no one else even raised an objection.

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Phatcat15 t1_j9yp0om wrote

Totally fair - I overlooked the potatoe because I know for sure the origins of jerk chicken and I wasn’t aware the greens are actually from Africa but the only folks I know who talk about them where I’m from are black. It was crass of me but now I get to learn more about what I’m commenting on so thank you

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nhabz t1_j9utw2h wrote

It’s just a weird way to say it friendo.

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Phatcat15 t1_j9v019p wrote

Yeah… I agree - is there a right way to suggest it though?

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nhabz t1_j9v03t5 wrote

Just don’t say it lol

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Phatcat15 t1_j9vjxzt wrote

Nah I’m not about sweeping shit under the rug - it’s what I thought of right away and if it’s racist then I’m willing to own that. I love my dark skin friends - but we all say dumb shit - so if it’s not funny or not true I might be an ass but better to find out sooner then later

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