But Is This Really Racist?
By: Tommy “Tj” Sotomayor

Or are black people just too damn soft?

New York school apologizes for serving watermelon, chicken, and waffles on first day of Black History Month after complaints it ‘reinforced negative stereotypes’

• A food vendor issued an apology after the lunch they gave students at Nyack Middle School on the first day of Black History Month was deemed insensitive
• Lunch of chicken and waffles with watermelon for dessert, which a student claimed ‘reinforced negative African-American stereotypes’ 
• School principal and food vendor, Aramark, expressed regret over the incident with vendor pledging to work with the school district

A food vendor in Rockland County, just outside of New York City, has apologized after it provided lunch that was deemed to be insensitive for children at a school celebrating Black History Month. 

Students at Nyack Middle School were offered chicken and waffles with watermelon for dessert on February 1st, the first day of the month that honors the triumphs and struggles of African Americans throughout U.S. history.

The menu is said to have elicited confusion and anger from some students together with their parents who saw the menu as reinforcing negative stereotypes about the African-American community. 

‘They were asking people if they want watermelon, and I remember being confused because it’s not in season,’ said student Honore Santiago to ABC7.

The school’s menu stated that day’s meal was to be Philly cheesesteak, broccoli, and fresh fruit, but students were served chicken, waffles, and watermelon

A lunch of chicken and waffles with watermelon for dessert, which a student claimed ‘reinforced negative African-American stereotypes’ 

The school’s menu even stated that the day’s meal was to be Philly cheesesteak, broccoli and fresh fruit but for some reason the menu was changed at the last minute.

When Santiago got home and told her mother, they were both outraged by the message they believe it sends to the school’s black students.

‘Didn’t think the company was capable of making us feel bad…especially the kids my color,’ Santiago said.

‘If they had served chicken and waffles by itself, I don’t know that we would be having this conversation. But the moment you add in the watermelon, that changed the whole complexion, literally,’ said Wilbur Aldridge, with the Nyack NAACP to CBS News. 

A food vendor issued an apology after the lunch they gave students at Nyack Middle School on the first day of Black History Month was deemed to be insensitive

‘They were asking people if they want watermelon and I remember being confused because it’s not in season,’ said student Honore Santiago, pictured

The school district expressed disappointment with the vendor Aramark’s ‘lack of cultural sensitivity.’ 

The school’s principal said the menu was changed without the school’s knowledge and noted the food items chosen ‘reinforce negative stereotypes concerning the African-American community.’

‘The offering of chicken & waffles as an entree with watermelon as a dessert on the first day of Black History Month was inexcusably insensitive and reflected a lack of understanding of our district’s vision to address racial bias,’ the school wrote in a letter sent home to parents.

‘Nyack Public Schools administrators contacted Aramark officials to insist on a mechanism to avoid a repeat of the mistake. The vendor has agreed to plan future menu offerings to align with our values and our longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. We are extremely disappointed by this regrettable situation and apologize to the entire Nyack community for the cultural insensitivity displayed by our food service provider.’

Interim School Superintendent James Montesano, pictured, says he was told by the food provider that the change happened in part because the food director died earlier this year and someone else stepped in.

Aramark has explained the menu was not intended as a cultural meal, but rather a mistake that does not align with the company’s values. 

Interim School Superintendent James Montesano says he was told by the food provider that the change happened in part because the food director died earlier this year and someone else stepped in.

‘We apologize for the unintentional insensitivity. While our menu was not intended as a cultural meal, we acknowledge that the timing was inappropriate, and our team should have been more thoughtful in its service. This was a mistake and does not represent the values of our company, and we are committed to doing better in the future. 

‘We will be partnering with the District so employees who work in the schools participate in training that aligns to the Nyack School District’s vision and commitment to equity-driven work. We believe this will provide a good learning opportunity to deepen understanding on the impact of systemic biases and negative stereotypes concerning the African-American Community,’ food vendor, Aramark, said in a statement. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=_qRRj6xiXzg%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26hl%3Den-US

Those working for the food company are to undergo training to better align with the school district’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

A similar incident occurred in 2018 when the company served ribs, collard greens, and Kool-aid during the same Black History Month celebration to students at NYU.

The school district plans to more closely review menus in the future to avoid similar incidents. 

The racist stereotype of portraying African-Americans as excessively fond of watermelon began during the late 19th century, shortly after slaves won their freedom during the Civil War, according to The Atlantic. 

Watermelon became a staple crop for black farmers after emancipation, with many growing and selling the fruit which slowly turned into a symbol of freedom for the community. 

Southern whites, threatened with new agricultural competitors and still reeling from the loss of the war, responded by associating the fruit with racists tropes aimed at the black community.   

The school district plans to more closely review menus in the future to avoid similar incidents. Pictured, February’s menu

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New York school apologizes served watermelon and chicken waffles on first day of Black History Month