Watermelon because it’s a tropical fruit that originated in Africa
Fried chicken actually has a history in the southern states and in African American communities
>The origin of fried chicken in the southern states of America has been traced to precedents in Scottish[7][8][9] and West African cuisine.[10][11][12][13] Scottish fried chicken was battered with seasonings and deep fried in lard and West African fried chicken added different seasonings,[13][14] and was battered[11][15] and cooked in palm oil.[10] African seasoning techniques were used in the American South by enslaved Africans.[7][8][9][13][14]
>Fried chicken provided some means of an independent economy for enslaved and segregated African-American women, who became noted sellers of poultry (live or cooked) as early as the 1730s though this was cooked on a griddle.[16][17] Because of the expensive nature of the ingredients, it was, despite popular belief, a rare dish in the African-American community[10] reserved (as in Africa) for special occasions.[15][12][13] When it was introduced to the American South, Southern fried chicken became a common staple. Later, as the slave trade led to Africans being brought to work on southern plantations, the enslaved people became cooks.[18] Since most enslaved people were unable to raise expensive meats, but were generally allowed to keep chickens, frying chicken on special occasions continued in the African-American communities of the South, especially in the periods of segregation that closed off most restaurants to the black population.[19]
The first thing is that watermelon was popular in the south, because it was delicious. However, it was also very easy to plant, watermelon isn’t a very delicate fruit and doesn’t require a lot of effort to farm. So, there was a reputation that black people were lazy because they grew a lot of watermelon, rather than growing apples or other fruits that required more labor to get going.
Likewise, fried chicken is delicious, and a lot of people enjoy it. However, it became a staple of black people’s cuisine during slavery, as chickens were often the only animals they had access to. So, since many black people wouldn’t eat beef or pork very often, and frying chicken was the most popular way of serving it, it once again became associated with black people and used in a negative way by racists.
In short, these were popular with black people who lived in the American South, and were associated with them in a time of major racism.
chicken and watermelon (along with grits, okra, etc.) were poor person food in the South. All of the poor people (and a lot of the wealthy people) ate it and liked it.
But the poor white people basically stayed in the South.
Whereas the black people tried to migrate out of the south when they could – especially to the north to get factory jobs during WW2.
Because the people in the north did not know other southern people, they just thought that the food the black migrants ate was black person food (“soul food”). Not realizing it was just standard Southern food that almost everyone in the south ate.
It’s not a stereotype for black people, it’s a stereotype for black people in the US. Here in the UK we see it it in films only and there’s no connotation over here for it all.
If there was any stereotype over here food wise it would likely be jerk chicken (not to be confused with jerky). Mainly as it’s just a popular afro-caribbean dish but it’s not something levelled at them as a stereotype.
The problem is that if Black Americans actually do eat more fried chicken and watermelon than white Americans, some people will get upset if you mention this.
I grew up in a poor white family in the Midwest. These were family staples in my youth. It sucks that some white people decided to make them racist symbols
Just the facts of living down south. With that being said I’d say it’s just as much a southern thing as it is a black thing. Every color loves fried chicken haha
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It’s just a racist trope. Got popular with minstrel shows and that crap
Watermelon because it’s a tropical fruit that originated in Africa
Fried chicken actually has a history in the southern states and in African American communities
>The origin of fried chicken in the southern states of America has been traced to precedents in Scottish[7][8][9] and West African cuisine.[10][11][12][13] Scottish fried chicken was battered with seasonings and deep fried in lard and West African fried chicken added different seasonings,[13][14] and was battered[11][15] and cooked in palm oil.[10] African seasoning techniques were used in the American South by enslaved Africans.[7][8][9][13][14]
>Fried chicken provided some means of an independent economy for enslaved and segregated African-American women, who became noted sellers of poultry (live or cooked) as early as the 1730s though this was cooked on a griddle.[16][17] Because of the expensive nature of the ingredients, it was, despite popular belief, a rare dish in the African-American community[10] reserved (as in Africa) for special occasions.[15][12][13] When it was introduced to the American South, Southern fried chicken became a common staple. Later, as the slave trade led to Africans being brought to work on southern plantations, the enslaved people became cooks.[18] Since most enslaved people were unable to raise expensive meats, but were generally allowed to keep chickens, frying chicken on special occasions continued in the African-American communities of the South, especially in the periods of segregation that closed off most restaurants to the black population.[19]
(From Wikipedia)
The first thing is that watermelon was popular in the south, because it was delicious. However, it was also very easy to plant, watermelon isn’t a very delicate fruit and doesn’t require a lot of effort to farm. So, there was a reputation that black people were lazy because they grew a lot of watermelon, rather than growing apples or other fruits that required more labor to get going.
Likewise, fried chicken is delicious, and a lot of people enjoy it. However, it became a staple of black people’s cuisine during slavery, as chickens were often the only animals they had access to. So, since many black people wouldn’t eat beef or pork very often, and frying chicken was the most popular way of serving it, it once again became associated with black people and used in a negative way by racists.
In short, these were popular with black people who lived in the American South, and were associated with them in a time of major racism.
From racists
I think it’s because a lot of them like fried chicken and watermelon.
chicken and watermelon (along with grits, okra, etc.) were poor person food in the South. All of the poor people (and a lot of the wealthy people) ate it and liked it.
But the poor white people basically stayed in the South.
Whereas the black people tried to migrate out of the south when they could – especially to the north to get factory jobs during WW2.
Because the people in the north did not know other southern people, they just thought that the food the black migrants ate was black person food (“soul food”). Not realizing it was just standard Southern food that almost everyone in the south ate.
It’s not a stereotype for black people, it’s a stereotype for black people in the US. Here in the UK we see it it in films only and there’s no connotation over here for it all.
If there was any stereotype over here food wise it would likely be jerk chicken (not to be confused with jerky). Mainly as it’s just a popular afro-caribbean dish but it’s not something levelled at them as a stereotype.
Most all people like chicken and watermelon.. The Asian ppl probably eat a lot more chicken than we do.
I don’t even eat watermelon so when I found out it was apparently a ‘thing’ I was very confused lol
Same stereotype about me liking trains and taking things literally
It’s true. Except taking things literally. People who do that are kleptomaniacs.
All stereotypes have some truth to them.
The problem is that if Black Americans actually do eat more fried chicken and watermelon than white Americans, some people will get upset if you mention this.
From the KFC
I mean, I do like them
Fried chicken and watermelon are good and black people have good taste. That’s not why there’s a stereotype, but that’s enough of an answer.
I grew up in a poor white family in the Midwest. These were family staples in my youth. It sucks that some white people decided to make them racist symbols
Nearly every Black food stereotype is true for my white southern family, too.
Just the facts of living down south. With that being said I’d say it’s just as much a southern thing as it is a black thing. Every color loves fried chicken haha