The Exploration of African American Culture

I have learned two major things preparing for this month’s exploration of African American culture:

A.) Sneaker culture is a rapidly growing underground movement of artists and art enthusiasts.

B.) Food, soul food in particular for this month, is blanketed in a rich history that is just as beautiful as the dishes that were created.

I have learned about the domination of Chuck Taylors on the court before the introduction of an array of diverse sneakers (Topstar, Puma Clyde and of course the Air Jordan), the phenomenal impact that Michael Jordan had on the industry and black culture, and the evolution of sneakers as a fashion/art statement. I have traveled across the country on the words of Michael W. Twitty discovering the history of black chefs trained overseas for their plantation owners’ kitchens and the changes they made that became soul food. I can taste the history of collard greens, mac n’ cheese, yams and red drink. We can’t forget red Kool-aid and its cultural significance, red is a color and a flavor!

I’ve enjoyed researching these topics. This month students will be able to join the exploration during our “For the Love of Sneakers” event on Valentine’s Day and our special Southern Culture Eats edition of the Maverick Kitchen. I’m excited to take part in this journey with them and I’m sure I will be learning a lot more from our students too. Who knew that sneakerheads dominated Twitter and Instagram?!?