I Don’t Want Your Pumpkin Pie

If I am correct, the next holiday to come is Easter. While most of us will be celebrating in our homes due to the pandemic, I would like to prepare us for the future when we’re able to come together again.  The following are some truths that apply to all holiday food.  While I understand that I can’t speak for every black person, I’m going to go ahead and do it anyways: Black. People. Don’t. Eat. Pumpkin. Pie.

If this is news to you, I am happy to clear the air.  You see, the politics I inherited from my childhood began with the foods that we ate, or namely, the foods we didn’t eat.  Pumpkin pie was on the TOP of that don’t eat list.  Once September rolls around and the pumpkin idolatry begins, there is a universal rolling of the eyes by those of us who were raised on sweet potato pie, of which there is no substitute.

Soul food is not only some of the best food one can ever be blessed to taste, it is steeped in tradition.  There are plenty of do’s and don’ts in respect of the culture.  A few year’s back, a white male friend was going over his African-American girlfriend’s home to meet the family for Thanksgiving.  A few of us gave him the highlighted Cliff Notes to get him through the day and garner the respect of the fam: 

1. When you eat the sweet potato pie say, “This is way better than pumpkin pie!”
2. It’s always called ‘dressing’; don’t utter the word ‘stuffing’
3. If someone starts talking about having the itis, just tell them that you’re tired as well

This Black History Month, I would like to honor you if you are militant about your food.  I see you!