Alkon and McCullen shine light on the fact that the people who run farmers markets often have preconceived notions of who can be "accepted" as a farmer, vendor, or even what the community who purchases these goods may look like, which caters to a mostly caucasian demographic. Farmers markets are typically placed in areas with elevated populations of white people, causing an injustice to those deemed "unworthy" to society to access this commodity. What should be a valuable, useful resource to all types of communities, no matter their race of social class, is being denied to those who may heavily benefit from it.
Alkon and McCullen discuss the fact that owners of farmers markets intentionally steer away from hosting black farmers and black vendors, as they are not seen as "the perfect farmer", which promotes blatant racism in what many may think to be an "inclusive" setting.
Throughout my analysis of this article, it is unfortunate, but fair to say that I have seen examples of racial injustice within farmers markets, as I'm sure many others have. Personally, I can agree with what Alkon and McCullen reference in their article, as I cannot remember stepping foot into a farmers market and seeing any other race of vendors other than white people.
I believe that farmers markets should be accessible to all, whether it's the community buying the goods, or the black farmers and vendors that are being denied selling their goods because they don't fit the racist stereotype of a "hardworking farmer". It's heartbreaking to hear of just how much injustice black farmers receive in this particular community, one that they feel so strongly about and have true passion for, while others are accepted just based off their looks.
1 comment:
Oh my goodness, where are the farmers market you are going to?? I am loving your emphasis on equal access to these stands for all races. These farmers markets have so many benefits on both sides of the interaction that all races should be able to participate in.
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