I enjoyed these passages a lot more than the previous readings. I thought that the personal detailed information created a stronger sense of interest and understanding of the story. I didn’t feel too disappointed or disgusted after reading his passages compared to previous readings. I never realized how important food is until after reading Twitty’s passages. I personally am a huge foodie, I wake up every day and the first thing I think of is where I can get good food, but I never looked at food in the way Twitty does. I think of a food appreciation more like loving the taste rather than the background and culture behind the importance of where food comes from or whom it’s eaten with. On page 6, Twitty uses the metaphor “your plate is your flag.” This metaphor highlights the different cultures that are behind the food. The different food from different countries represents the importance of family recipes and culture that is behind every chef. For example, in my family every time we have a big family dinner my grandma will cook lasagna. My grandma’s ancestors are from Italy and this family recipe has been passed down for generations. I hope one day I can be in charge of the crinkled up paper with the lasagna recipe on it.
In contrast to Twitty, I actually know my family’s ancestry. Although my family rarely talks about our Italian ancestry, I know where the lasagna recipe comes from which connects me with my family’s past and I am grateful for that opportunity. I cannot imagine the feeling Twitty has about the disconnection he feels to his ancestors. Although he is making up for it by cooking his culture’s food, the mystery of his ancestors is still present. The fact that many African American’s lack of access to their family tree is not talked about, is not okay. I never learned about this in school and am quite disappointed. Family recipes are a reminder to every family about the memories of past generations. It is a connection from parents to grandparents and so on, as well as a connection to people’s homeland.
I agree with you, I have never really appreciated food in the way Twitty does, and truly thought about how food is a representation of culture and a connection to ancestors. I think I have taken for granted the family recipes I have and get to keep with me, and soon give to my children. These recipes connect generations of my family together, and that is something quite special. I am thankful we are reading these passages, so I can start to understand the hidden emotional pain that African Americans experience from their past being erased and the difficulties they have in finding more about their ancestors.