March 31 - Today, we explored how food connects to identity, culture, and belonging across the TED Talk, Fish Cheeks, and the Mississippi Delta film. How does food help individuals understand who they are, especially when they feel caught between cultures or judged by others? In your response, be sure to include at least one example from at least (TED Talk, Fish Cheeks, or the Mississippi Delta film) to support your thinking.

Response: Food helps individuals understand who they are by connecting them to the culture they are from. In Fish Cheeks, the author describes her embarrassing dinner with her family and the minister's family for Christmas Eve. Amy worries that the minister's family, including the minister's son who she has a crush on, will be disgusted by her Chinese food culture customs. When the minister's family finally left their house, Amy's mother reminds her that even though she wants to conform to those around her on the outside, her Chinese roots on the inside will always remain in her. She tells Amy that she should embrace the fact that she is different than others with no shame. It wasn't until later that Amy realizes her family made all her favorite foods for their Christmas Eve dinner with the minister's family. In this narrative, food represents a way for cultures to share what they value in a well cooked meal. Even if some of the customs are different than the people they are serving, there should be no shame in those customs because it is part of your culture.

Summary: Today, we read Fish Cakes by Amy Tan.

Reflection: "Your only shame is to have shame" is a great way to remind yourself to be proud of where you came from no matter what anyone else says.

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