Sorry, but that is ridiculous! I know sometimes people get a bit over-sensitive, but this was a dumb idea. Have a video or lesson on King. Fried chicken? The quote: “School Board President Nate Easley, who is African-American, told The Denver Post he suspected King himself would be more concerned with how minority kids were doing in school than what was being served in the cafeteria.” is so true!!

If MLK were a chef, I’d get it. Food as part of his celebration is cheesy, especially their menu choice. Turkey for Thanksgiving makes sense and schools almost ALWAYS add in a lesson or two about the pilgrims. MLK has nothing to do with food, but equality. It may not be racist, but it darn sure is dumb. Fried chicken franchises KFC and Popeyes aren’t black franchises, but the chicken and greens at these schools for MLK really is silly.

I’m an African American woman, and I’m not offended by the menu the school served. My late mother would be 85 years old if she were living, and she told me that the term “soul food,” which many use to describe southern cooking, is actually a misnomer. She lived most of her life in the south and said southern African Americans and southern whites ate the same types of food, i.e., fried chicken, greens, baked macaroni and cheese, pinto beans, black-eyed peas, cornbread, etc. My mother also told me that the way southern people eat has nothing to do with ethnic background, it is simply part of southern culture.

I’m positive that Dr. King, his family, and his colleagues ate traditional southern foods, and I’m also positive that the school celebrated his holiday with more than a southern style lunch; this was probably one small part of the celebration.

It’s sad that people are so sensitive about these things; I’m 50 years old, have experienced racism, classicism, etc. in my life but have chosen to not allow it to define me. This school lunch was not served to hurt, embarrass, shame, or humiliate anyone. I also believe that the school was not being malicious or racist. People need to lighten up.

I agree with PLorenam however, it cannot be ignored that this was insensitive. I cannot believe that in this day and age it is a suprise to anyone that this might be taken the wrong way. It is not cultural holiday, it is a holiday honoring a man for his accomplishments. Where is the George Washington ribs? The Lincoln ‘taters? I truly hope that the meal was in conjunction with more appropriate celebrations at this school and this was only presented this way as an incindiary story.