Breaking Ground With Marginalized Groups

 The sociological perspective accounts for this distinct narrative story of hate crimes that have taken place across the United States of America. It encompasses the big issues that have arisen the past few decades and food was said to be the starting point for understanding one another. I've frequently thought about this, it's the one time feuding families can get together, just think of any holiday dinner, it's almost not complete without some sort of heated discussion or unfinished business being aired out. Psychologically one can say that most people feel safe and relaxed around the comforts of what they know and love. It provides a safe space, which most professionals who work in the mental health field will agree that communication can only first take place when a person perceives to be safe. It makes sense as to why Alison addresses food being the catalyst to having "radical empathy". As the rising, Joanne Molinaro a.k.a. The Korean Vegan has taken justice from the courtroom to the kitchen she opens up about the racial, sexual, and gender violence that has taken place in her life. When we make a choice, and eat a meal it says something about the bigger picture of who we are, and where we come from. 

In terms of the food production disparities either between racial groups or large industrial factories versus small-scale farms. One thing is clear, as Alkon mentions not only is there a tendency to allow racial prejudices to go overlooked when handing out loans and government subsidies but there also exists a promotion of GMO food production, directly causing the prices of products of small scale marginalized farmers to seem egregious. These government policies have even greater implications in food deserts in rural areas.  

 When we come together to raise our voices during concerning moments in life; it's important to listen and the effectively take communicate. While the convergence over a meal won't solve every problem, I can't think of better place to start. In regards to the social injustices that arise due to "repugnant" smells of foods in school cafeterias, to the stereotypical household such as refried beans, to even how the food is produced in first world countries, I believe that we can take a long pause and realize that we haven't always done a good job of showing hospitality towards the countless number of people we see in any given day.  Allowing Allison's talk to shine light not only on the past, but also our current ideologies, I think we can all agree that using food as a common ground to begin to solve our problems isn't a bad idea at all.