The importance of food in social struggle
We just got an enlightening message on People’s Grocery’s facebook page from an extraordinary woman named Joan Tarika Lewis who, in addition to being a jazz violinist, visual artist, historian, lecturer and teacher, identifies herself as the “first female recruit of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense”. With a rich knowledge of African American history and struggle in the Bay Area, Tarika sent us the following message, which I thought readers might appreciate:
“People’s Grocery-I applaud your dynamic efforts. In South Berkeley and in West Oakland families planted their own gardens and raised chickens…dating back to the turn of the century. The deliberate removal of African American home owners and businesses that existed along 7th street, Sacramento street into South Berkeley was the Black Belt…Eminent Domain destroyed (BART, Cal Trans, W.Oak Post office, 880 freeway) The BPP youth created the Breakfast for Children program and Food Distribution to the poor. The NOI had farmland, fish, cannery and food distribution nationwide. Co-op store became Whole Foods…”
Tarika’s voice underscores the importance of food in social struggle and reminds us that there has been innovation among people of color in providing for their own food and nutritional needs for a long time.
Here are links to two of my past blogs on historical perspectives on food and social struggle:
The story of the original People’s Grocery Company in Memphis, TN.
Excerpt by Renee La Chaux about how the food scene in West Oakland use to be.
