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FEBRUARY 17 – FEBRUARY 23, 2017
VOLUME 25 NO. 7
SOUL FOOD – THE LEGACY
The imagination and desperation of enslaved Africans forever changed the way the American South cooks and eats. But there’s an unhealthy price to be paid, ironically by their African-American descendants. BY PENNY DICKERSON FLORIDA COURIER
The roots of “soul food” run deep within the annals of African-American living. The South reigns as king of soul food cuisine. Its origins can be traced back to slavery, when plantation owners allowed enslaved Africans to cook and eat only what was known as the hog’s undesirable leftovers. Included were its ears, feet, tail, stomach and the intestinal tract known as chitterlings, or in Southern
vernacular, simply “chitlins.” African-Americans exhibited resourcefulness and took what was deemed scraps – along with plants native to or domesticated in West Africa such as okra, yams, black-eyed peas and rice – and created a menu of delicacies that would become soul food staples. Pork parts were cooked down for hours and seasoned with salt, onion and garlic. Chicken and fish were deep-fried in vegetable oil, and collard green leaves were cleaned, cut, and seasoned with smoked meats.
What about Africa? Not much expected from Trump
Yams were candied with generous amounts of brown sugar and butter, while macaroni and cheese was prepared with its own abundant portions of eggs, cheese, and butter. In the process, the survivors of American slavery changed the ways of eating, particularly in the South, forever. “When, in the history of humankind, has an enslaved people revolutionized the way the people enslaved them ate, See SOUL, Page A2
Olean McCaskill has owned and operated her Tallahassee-based soul food restaurant, Olean’s, with husband Johnny for more than 20 years.
CARNAGE IN CHICAGO
Murders continue unabated
BY GRANT CLARK URBAN NEWS SERVICE
After a two-year election campaign and weeks into his presidency, Africans still have no idea how Donald J. Trump plans to deal with this continent of 54 nations. Since the launch of his political career, Trump has barely mentioned Africa, home to six of the 12 fastest-growing economies in the world, let alone share insight into his foreign policy thinking.
Just tweets All Africans, and anyone interested in U.S.-Africa relations, have got to go on are a few disparaging tweets, posted in the years before his run for office. In one 2015 tweet, he called South Africa, the continent’s economic powerhouse, a “total and very dangerous mess.” In another, he said: “every penny of the $7 billion going to Africa as per Obama will be stolen.”
Response to ban Officially, the response to Trump’s presidency by African leaders has been muted. But when two African countries were recently included in the executive order banning travel to the U.S. from six predominately Muslim countries, the outgoing head See AFRICA, Page A2
SNAPSHOTS FLORIDA | A3
OBITUARY | B2
A home for Joseph and Patrick
Remembering Al Jarreau BLACK HISTORY | B3
Senate chaplain reflects on role
ALSO INSIDE
E. JASON WAMBSGANS/CHICAGO TRIBUNE/TNS
Chicago police stand near where a toddler and a man were fatally shot and a woman was wounded in Chicago’s Lawndale neighborhood on Tuesday –Valentine’s Day. As of Feb. 15, there have been 77 homicides in the Chicago area since Jan. 1.
Plan allowing liquor sales in grocery stories to be tweaked THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
TALLAHASSEE – A controversial proposal that would allow liquor to be sold in grocery stores was nearly capped in its first House committee as lawmakers expressed concerns about who could handle the bottles. The House Career & Competition Subcommittee voted 8-7 Wednesday to approve the proposal (HB 81), but Rep. Bryan Avila, the bill’s sponsor, said he would try to
change the plan before its next committee vetting. “There is plenty of time to make sure we get the right fit in place,” Avila, R-Hialeah, told reporters after the meeting. The contentious and heavily lobbied proposal – sought by Wal-Mart and Target, and opposed by Lakeland-based Publix and Orlando-based ABC Fine Wine & Spirits – seeks to end a Depression-era law requiring liquor stores and bars to be separated from groceries and other retail goods, an issue commonly referred to as the “liquor wall.” A wider ranging measure (SB 106) that also seeks to end the separation is ready for a full Senate vote. Proponents contend abolishing the law is necessary to provide more convenience to shoppers, reduce regulations and save businesses money.
Illegal access? Opponents argue, among other things,
that the change will drive independent liquor stores of business and result in minors illegally getting access to liquor. Rep. Julio Gonzalez, a Venice Republican who voted against the plan, said he hasn’t heard from a single individual complaining about an inability to get liquor in Florida. And he said the measure should be closer to a compromise struck last year, but which failed to pass, that would have maintained a current prohibition banning anyone under the age of 21 from handling or selling alcohol. “I think (this) bill is even worse,” Gonzalez said. “Now you’re telling me that a 16-year-old can sell alcohol, under supervision.” Target lobbyist Jason Unger said the Minnesota-based company wants to provide shoppers with more convenience. And Monesia Brown, who represents Arkansasbased Wal-Mart, said the company is trying to be innovative.
COMMENTARY: LUCIUS GANTT: MORE RATS WILL JUMP OFF TRUMP’S SINKING SHIP | A2 COMMENTARY: JULIANNE MALVEAUX: ‘PATHFINDERS’ FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH | A4