kaganey OP t1_j9x35zt wrote on February 25, 2023 at 4:32 AM

Reply to comment by Phatcat15 in [Homemade] Grilled chicken with jerk rub, sweet potato with butter and honey, and collard greens by kaganey

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.

Phatcat15 t1_j9yp0om wrote on February 25, 2023 at 3:23 PM

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