Post 4

P4: Read Cate and O’Donnell. What roles does food play in the communities that they studied? Compare how Cate and O’Donnell relate food to communities. What part of their studies did you find most interesting and why?

            The role of food within one’s culture, community, and identity is something that may seem kind of silly, but is actually a very reoccurring and prevalent thing. The manner in which food is eaten, prepared, who it is eaten with, and the choices involved in picking food all say something about us and about the values we care about. In the articles written by Cate and O’Donnell, the role of food is very different, and thus tells a different story about the situation and context that revolves around food in a specific area.

            In O’Donnell’s article, food is something that is used to distinguish between generations and social politics. In Shenzhen, a vast city on southeastern China, O’Donnell tells of how an individual’s appetite may not be ethically or politically neutral. The region has had a booming history within the last 30 years and as such here are many migrants and locals. Food is something that truly distinguishes between the older generation and the younger generations because each generations treats food in their own manner. For the older generation, food was something that was meant to be shared, thus pertaining more to an older, more socialist mentality. As for the newer generation, living within a more globalized environment, their food choices are more to do with the self. The manner in which food is treated in this context goes to show a slight clash in mentality between old versus new and socialist versus capitalist.

            In Cate’s article, she talks about the role of “spread” and how it is an important part of inmates’ lives in jail. The term “spread” refers to a meal that is prepared by inmates, which incorporates various ingredients, but begins with a base of Ramen Noodles. The making of “spread” is not only done in order to keep hunger at bay, but also as a way to maintain and express individuality. Inmates create their own “spread” that incorporated their own specific likes and taste. A whole food culture revolves around the making of “spread” and inmates take time to share recipes as well as share their creations with one another. The sharing of “spread” also becomes as social activity in which inmates can form friendships, but beyond that, the sharing of “spread” operate on the principle of reciprocity. The inmates will each contribute something to make the “spread” and thus receive part of the final concoction.

            The thing that I found most interesting after reading these two articles was learning about “spread” in general. I never knew that inmates would gather and save the food they would receive through out the day in order to create something for themselves for later in the day. It was interesting to learn about the many recipes of “spread” as well as how it is made. The manner in which different types of “spreads” are made all use different ingredients and cooking techniques that I would have never though of. I find it ingenious how different cooking techniques result in different tastes.