Activities aimed at diversity teach how to respect and celebrate people from different backgrounds, cultures and races. Children and adults gain new experiences when they learn about various cultures.
Racial justice and understanding helps people understand that everyone is human. This is despite differences in dressing, looks, celebrations or even food eaten.
Children and adults can learn about similarities and differences among people through various activities and games. This is where the idea of diversity comes in.
Diversity covers differences in traditions, race, gender, language, and religion.
Kids identify racial and gender differences from as early as 2 years of age. And, half a year later, they’re able to differentiate female from male gender (boy/girl) and name colors. They apply knowledge of colors to skin color.
At 3 years of age, kids are aware of disabilities. And, one to two years later, begin to show proper gender behavior, developing fear of the differences.
Effects of Racism and Racial Prejudice
Racism impacts all societal aspects, including the food system. However, it has no biological foundation. Widespread misinformation about different cultures, race, and ethnic groups, together with political and socio-economic structures exploit and dis-possess people of color.
Therefore, racism is an intractable injustice associated with:
- Hunger
- Poverty
- Malnutrition.
Despite involving individual acts and prejudice, racism is also a historical legacy that gives a group of people privileges over others. What’s more, institutional, individual and structural racism impairs good faith efforts aimed at developing a transparent and sustainable food system.
Determining and resolving racial injustice lies in resolving its root causes; this is key to ceasing hunger in a sustainable manner. The rates of poverty and hunger in America due to racism have reduced significantly.
However, blacks experience higher poverty and hunger rates. This is attributed to the effects of structural racism.
Adopt a racial equity lens focused on attaining equality for people of color. The practice and concept helps respond to structural racism, including related effects. As a result, poverty and hunger among black communities is immensely reduced.
This, in turn, moves the United States closer to achieving the 2030 national goal of ending hunger.
Top 3 Activities that Use Food to Fight Racial Injustice and Promote Unity
- Create an all-inclusive community gardening project
A healthy food system caters for the needs of both children and adults. It gives access to fresh, cost-effective foods rich in nutrients.
People work along such a food chain system from the field producing food to the kitchen preparing food. Begin a community gardening project to engage people from all racial backgrounds to ensure they live healthy, sustainable lives.
An all-inclusive community gardening project creates a healthy food system. It ensures that everyone has access to sustainable, fair, and racially equitable food resources.
Schedule regular communal get-togethers, parties or outdoor events
Plan for outdoor events that every member of your community can join to get to know each other. Make sure there’s enough food for everyone.
Consider barbecues to bring people together. Let everyone contribute food and all the tools needed to prepare grilled delicacies. Include a few hot sauces to add flavor to the meals brought for grilling.
Organize a fundraiser to feed the needy
Helping the needy in a community is also a great way to bring people together. It allows people from all races and cultures to come together for a common cause. As a result, everyone appreciates each other and understands their racial differences.