# The Irony of Enjoying Tacos While Disregarding Their Origins
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Chapter 1: The Paradox of Culinary Appreciation
In contemporary society, there exists a glaring contradiction: many individuals relish ethnic cuisines, such as tacos, yet maintain negative attitudes towards the cultures from which these foods originate. This phenomenon has been highlighted by the experiences of various marginalized communities.
"Enduring hunger was far more manageable than feeling excluded. I often found that because of my Vietnamese cuisine, I was considered insufficiently American, while simultaneously not feeling authentically Vietnamese either." – Owner of Mama Dút, Vegan Vietnamese Restaurant in Portland.
Historically, people of color in the United States have faced mockery and discrimination for embracing their culinary heritage. Fast forward to today, and we see a shift towards “Cultural Assimilation,” where ethnic cuisines are not only accepted but celebrated in mainstream culture across the nation.
Section 1.1: The Reality of Brown Food
The idea that "Brown Food belongs to brown people" highlights an ongoing struggle against a binary perception of race. Individuals with brown skin—including Native Americans, Southeast Asians, and others—often find themselves caught in a landscape dominated by black and white narratives. The existence and contributions of brown-skinned individuals often go unrecognized, and they too face their share of prejudice and violence.
Subsection 1.1.1: Cultural Misappropriation
In 2010, the Hindu American Foundation initiated a movement called “Take Back Yoga.” According to the New York Times, this campaign aimed not to convert yoga practitioners to Hinduism but to increase awareness about yoga's roots in ancient traditions.
It’s no revelation that while many white individuals enjoy Mexican cuisine, they often harbor disdain for Mexicans themselves. This pattern of behavior is not isolated; it speaks to a broader societal issue where cultural appropriation is intertwined with deep-seated prejudices.
Section 1.2: The Impact of White Supremacy
"The entire practice of appropriation is rooted in white supremacy. Those who harbor animosity towards Indian culture still find it acceptable to engage with yoga, a practice that became popular in the West amidst restrictive immigration laws aimed at Asians." - SK
This raises a crucial question: why should one financially support enterprises owned by those who exploit brown cultures? I personally choose not to patronize establishments owned by white individuals that profit from our culinary traditions while simultaneously expressing disdain for our languages and cultures.
Chapter 2: The Need for Cultural Respect
The demand for our communities to adhere to immigration regulations contrasts sharply with the historical realities of European settlers who arrived without documentation. This hypocrisy underscores the complexities of cultural appropriation, where individuals take from our heritage while rejecting the very people it represents.
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Your Native Friend is a writer and artist who enjoys her coffee with milk and a hint of brown sugar—always brown, never white. With six years of travel and experience living in four different countries, she has showcased her art in various nations, including Indonesia, Mexico, Italy, Argentina, Spain, Chile, and Peru.