Teachers are off dreaming about....Well, who knows? But they're off, and not around.
So, yours truly had a relaxing week. Got caught up on some projects that really are fairly important but never reach the priority level that allows them to bypass the "my printer's jammed!" level of panic that seems to drive minute by minute prioritization on a routine day.
I also got a bit of time to work on a project that's been slowly consuming space in my work shop.
While this may not look that spiffy to the casual observer, it represents a vast improvement in available space for, oh, I don't know, Woodworking? 4 x 30 gallon bags of sawdust removed. Untold tools recovered from underneath. Rearranging where major tools are located for more efficient use.
So a successful spring break work-cation.
Picked up Little Juvat a week ago last Thursday. He's back for a little R&R from his slice of heaven in the Third World. Flight's delayed etc, so arrival was a little later than planned and we went looking for a place to eat dinner. Found a nice place and on perusing the menu, knew instantly what I, and it turned out 3 out of 4 of us, was going to have.
It also caused me to pause and chuckle about things going on in the world today. Specifically, things going on in the world of Social Justice.
Today's topic will be on the concept of Cultural Appropriation.
The source of all the world's knowledge (guaranteed vetted and accurate of course) defines that term thusly:
"Cultural appropriation is the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of a different culture. Cultural appropriation is seen by some as controversial, notably when elements of a minority culture are used by members of the cultural majority; this is seen as wrongfully oppressing the minority culture or stripping it of its group identity and intellectual property rights."
As usual, that definition doesn't seem TOO bad. I mean, who would want to strip a group of its identity or intellectual property rights, right?
But....As usual, those people given an inch take a light year.
Just for fun, I googled "Cultural Appropriation in Food". (Actually, I used Bing, but "Binged" doesn't sing like "Googled" does). A quick 4.14 million hits appeared. This one, by someone named Phylisa Wisdom (I'm assuming that's her strutting along the street carrying a baseball bat, although it's an Australian site, so cricket bat, maybe) had this for a money quote.
"It is easy to enjoy native ingredients at high-end restaurants like Vue du Monde and Billy Kwong, while also shirking responsibility for improving the lives of Indigenous Australians."
Huh? I'm supposed to chose a restaurant, or cook a meal at home in such a manner as to save humanity. Pretty tall order, toots! All I'm looking for is something tasty to eat and enjoy a meal with family and friends. If someone benefits from it, all the better. I'm assuming that the Farmer/Rancher, Butcher, Grocer, Deliveryman, Bus boy, maî·tre d' hô·tel et al, made a little something along the way.
Most of the other hits were of a similar vain. Although, interestingly, the first hit had this for their money quote:
"It’s easy to say “cultural appropriation” the same way it’s easy to say “racist” or “ignorant.” It feels good to say “cultural appropriation” — it rolls off the tongue nicely, sounds intellectual and all of a sudden you’re on the road to moral superiority. The moment you get the opportunity, you need people to know that you’ve cultivated and discerned yourself, and you’re not like those meat-and-potatoes people at all, so don’t associate you with those people! …Except we’re not, nobody is."
Exactly.
So, I had to chuckle the other night at dinner as I perused the menu at this restaurant and found their seasonal special was Bulgogi Tacos (불고기 타코 just for you Sarge, although when I ran it back through it translated to Roast Tacos) . In 20 years or so in the Air Force, I spent at least a week on the ROK in 17 of them. I love Korean Food in general and Bulgogi specifically, but hadn't found a reasonable representation thereof in my vicinity. I also love Mexican Food in general and Tacos specifically. A match made in heaven.
It was served on perfectly cooked corn tortillas with the Bulgogi topped with cabbage slaw with a sweet hot Korean style dipping sauce and pickled jalapenos and onions. With a Craft Beer Porter to wash it down, it was delicious. My wife, who ordered something different was jealous. Probably because I wouldn't share.
So, to reiterate my sins. I as a White Male Fighter Pilot of German, Irish, Italian ancestry, ordered a Mexican take on a Korean Dish and washed it down with a British style beer.
Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa.
But wait, there's more....
I'm planning dinner for St Patrick's day. Corn beef will be on the menu, but I'm searching for different (read tasty) ways to prepare it. I go to my old standby Chef John at Foodwishes.blogspot.com and low and behold, he's got a recipe that I recognize I've just got to prepare.
This White Male Fighter Pilot of German, Irish, Italian ancestory is going to cook Corn Beef and Kimchi and wash it down with Guinness. So I did, and served it in a Pasta dish.
The Kimchi added a nice, but not overpowering, spiciness to the dish, countering the sweet, saltiness of the Corn Beef. The Guinness added a nice touch of authenticity. All in attendance, approved.
So, once again...
Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa.
But not really.
I enjoy food and I've eaten different cuisines from all around the world. I have done my best not to insult my host when presented with something unusual and have eaten things I never imagined was edible. Most turned out to be very good and I was pleasantly surprised.
Balut, however.......
So bottom line.
I am not responsible for saving the world. I am responsible for myself. I am the only person that can be responsible for myself, therefore, I must be. Anything else, to quote a fighter pilot albeit not in this sense, is rubbish.
If I see something I think is interesting on the menu or in a recipe, I'll eat it. If that offends someone, well...that's their issue, not mine.
YMMV.
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