I assume it's just part of a charicature--that it's bad because people assume that's all "they" eat. Presumably starting with an association with the South?
I remember someone joking once when I said that I liked to go to whatever chicken place was near me--because I LOVE friend chicken. And this person was black so it wasn't a racist comment, but they were joking that that was a popular black fast food place. So the next time I was in there I remembered it and thought that was silly. Then I looked around and I was the only white person in there! And it was crowded.:-)
So, you know, I've never noticed black people I know eating friend chicken or any of those things a lot. At least no more than I do.
From what I've read the "Black people love watermelon" imagery evoked/was meant to evoke sort of the same meaning as, say, the image of toddler enjoying a lollipop-- "look how cute, so pleased with his treat! That's all it takes to make him sooo happy!" Simple minds, simple pleasures, etc.
The "fried chicken" thing may partially come from the belief that slaves would steal chickens from their masters. One of the "Lil Bosko" Looney Tunes cartoons that they don't show any more is all about Lil Bosko stealing chicken eggs. ^_^ Google "stealing chickens stereotype" for more about that. Here's a good comment that explains more.
I didn't grow up in America, so I don't think of fried chicken and watermelon as Southern, but rather, I think of the over-exaggerated big lipped blackface caricatures stealing watermelons in comics, or licking their fingers after eating fried chicken and going "Yassa, Massa" or whatever.
I don't know WHY that's my instant association with the phrase, but for whatever reason, in my head, it comes up as "slave food/mocking black people".
*shrugs helplessly* That doesn't explain anything, though other comments seem to have done that -- it just backs up that yup, no really, it does have offensive connotations somehow. XD
Comments 6
Reply
I remember someone joking once when I said that I liked to go to whatever chicken place was near me--because I LOVE friend chicken. And this person was black so it wasn't a racist comment, but they were joking that that was a popular black fast food place. So the next time I was in there I remembered it and thought that was silly. Then I looked around and I was the only white person in there! And it was crowded.:-)
So, you know, I've never noticed black people I know eating friend chicken or any of those things a lot. At least no more than I do.
Reply
From what I've read the "Black people love watermelon" imagery evoked/was meant to evoke sort of the same meaning as, say, the image of toddler enjoying a lollipop-- "look how cute, so pleased with his treat! That's all it takes to make him sooo happy!" Simple minds, simple pleasures, etc.
The "fried chicken" thing may partially come from the belief that slaves would steal chickens from their masters. One of the "Lil Bosko" Looney Tunes cartoons that they don't show any more is all about Lil Bosko stealing chicken eggs. ^_^ Google "stealing chickens stereotype" for more about that. Here's a good comment that explains more.
Reply
Hah, and I see Arion gave you the same link. :D
Reply
Oh, and Here's a link with more about watermelon in early American pop culture.
Reply
I don't know WHY that's my instant association with the phrase, but for whatever reason, in my head, it comes up as "slave food/mocking black people".
*shrugs helplessly* That doesn't explain anything, though other comments seem to have done that -- it just backs up that yup, no really, it does have offensive connotations somehow. XD
Reply
Leave a comment