TFG really said “they’re eating the dogs” during the debate.
They’re eating the dogs
OK, this isn’t funny. Well, it shouldn’t be funny. It’s a horrible situation in Springfield, OH. Some woman made up shit about the local Haitian community there and how they stole pets to eat them. Haitians get a bum rap from whyte America for a couple of reasons. First, they’re black. Black refugee communities are incredible fodder for racists. Christianists look down on Haitians because they believe everyone from the island practices Voudon and are satanic, demonic, etc. Ask your average whyte person why Haiti is so messed up, they’ll tell you it’s demonic. So, once you’ve established demonic, animal sacrifice isn’t a stretch. Eating the sacrifice, just another step.
Non-whyte people eating animals generally regarded as household pets is a well-established trope in whyte America. When the Carter administration re-settled Vietnamese refugees along the Gulf Coast, the jokes abounded. Why were there no dogs and cats on the streets in New Orleans East? They were in the kitchens.
Weird Al
Then there was “Cat in the Kettle,” by Weird Al. Yankovic parodied Harry Chapin’s lovely father-son song, “Cat’s in the Cradle” by joking how Chinese restaurants served cat. It was kinda gross, but, hey, a lot of people laughed (including me). Folks accepted the song as parody, naturally. Nobody stormed the local Chinese takeaway, demanding they stop turning Mittens into Kung-Pao.
Still, Yankovic capitalized on whyte prejudice, just like all the Vietnamese jokes. It took decades for Vietnamese cuisine to go mainstream. So many jokes about dog and cat, those folks opened “Chinese” restaurants. Their wonderful food stayed in the closet until food critics sang its praises. Now, in New Orleans, there are more pho places than Chinese. That should have happened a decade earlier.
Weaponization
Republicans weaponized prejudice against Haitians. Vance parlayed a small-town lie into a national talking point. What his handlers forgot is that the guy at the top of the ticket is Ron Burgundy. Drumpf will read anything on the teleprompter. He delivered during the debate. The terrible right are beside themselves as they work to clean up the mess on Aisle Drumpf.
While most folks that laughs/laughed at ethnic jokes weaponize them, we all contributed to the culture that enables the evil.
Gulf Shores Public Beach – Gulf Shores, AL Jimmy Buffett & Friends- Live From the Gulf Coast Sunday July 11th, 2010. May your memory be a blessing, Jimmy.
Support restaurants by ordering takeout or delivery
Revel Cafe and Bar, N. Carrollton and Canal
Support Restaurants
“Flattening the curve” is a legitimate thing. Stay away from people. Don’t gather in groups. Switch to remote. It all makes sense, and hopefully will keep a lot of people from dying. Of course, the businesses that rely on crowds, such as restaurants and bars, take a big hit when they can’t open. Revenue dries up, workers don’t work, and we all hope a couple of weeks is all that’s necessary.
There’s not much we can do about bars and clubs. We go to them to socialize, and, well, that’s what we’re distancing right now. Musicians are going to live-casting on various platforms. That’s a start. For many of us, it’s not just the crafty cocktail we crave, but time with our friends. Hopefully this all will improve.
Eating Out
Dining out is an important social event for New Orleanians. We go out to eat for the experience of going out to eat, not because we’re on the way to a show or something else. this makes it all a struggle.
While it’s difficult to support bars right now, we can support restaurants. Many places changed their model to delivery and/or takeout. Order your meal, run in, get it, and get out again. Less than ten people, not breathing on anyone, and you’re in your car most of the time. Socialize from a distance, maybe Skype or Facetime your meal with a friend.
Is Takeout a problem?
Revel does takeout
Yesterday, I shared the above post from Chef CDB at Revel Cafe and Bar to several groups on the Book of Zucker. The post is not all that different from the ones I shared from other restaurants. In one of the larger NOLA-focused groups, a woman commented, coming for the concept of takeout dining. While her comments were at a high level, she directed her venom at a single restaurant.
Well, that didn’t sit well with me. Chris is a good man, a talented chef, and an old soul. He and his place don’t deserve that sort of attack. I reported the comment to the group’s admin team, and it was quickly removed.
Stop this shit
If you see others coming for restaurants, please consider nipping it in the bud. Our friends, family, and neighbors work in the service industry. We want them to have jobs to return to when this passes.
A letter about wearing bras leads to #DearPrudence thoughts
“Dear Prudence” on Slate, starring Daniel Mallory Ortberg.
#DearPrudence thoughts
The latest ep of Dear Prudence, Slate’s advice podcast and column, included a letter written by a woman asking advice about wearing bras. The letter and conversation between the host and his guest had me fascinated.
Prudie Pod
The “Dear Prudence” column goes back to the early days (if not the beginning) of Slate.com. I love it and always have. Prudence redefined advice columns. The column departed from traditional “Dear Abby” letters. They considered sex, serious relationship issues, and workplace thoughts. Over the years, several writers assumed the role of Prudence. Daniel Ortberg is the current incarnation of Prudence.
The column remains. It also morphed into a podcast, like so many things have. Danny brings a fascinating perspective to the conversation. His guests read letters and share their takes on the questions. Many are queer, another dimension that makes the pod so good.
Bras
So, Prudie and her guest this week, Tonya Mosley of KQED, read a letter about a woman who likes to take off her bra when she gets home. While that’s quite common, the problem comes in when company come over, after she’s lost the bra. Her husband wants her to put a bra back on. She doesn’t want to. The vibe from the letter indicates hubby thinks wife is inconsiderate to guests.
Prudie and Mosley roasted the husband. Danny (Prudie) is transitioning. He hated underwire bras. They both agreed that men who have never worn a bra don’t get this at all.
I have questions!
First, for y’all: would you put your bra back on?
Second: who has company over that would give shit? It’s evening. You escape reality in your home. Off comes the bra. If you knew guests were coming, would you have taken the bra off in the first place? This woman’s answer is, clearly, fuck yes.
Support YatPundit’s writing by becoming a Patron. Our goals are 100 patrons supporting us at $1 per month. When we reach this goal, we’ll be able to move forward with anthology production and publication.
Edward's books are available at bookstores everywhere, as well as Amazon, Kobo, B&N, and other online booksellers. For signed copies of Edward's books, visit his online bookshop:
