Hello and happy Friday.
The world is very heavy right now. Just when I thought we might be emerging from the weeds, we are shocked again. This time it’s not due to an invisible deadly virus, but death at the hands of police that once again exemplifies the deep racial divide that still exists in this country.
There aren’t enough words and there is no recipe to heal our nation’s wounds or its history. This week I took a step back from promoting new recipes to my email list and through social media because Lord knows, nobody needs another food photo and privileged white noise from me right now.
My baby girl Ali Smudge turned 16 this week. I’m not sure where the time went. Long time readers may feel like they know her. I did too—as a goofy, funny, vulnerable child who needed mom and dad to guide her way. But those days are waning.
My baby girl is transforming into a woman and surprising me in so many ways. So many good ways. Her resiliency. Her compassion. Her social awareness. Her passion for change. Her adaptability to flex and bend and flourish in what has been a challenging time to be a kid. Where school shooting drills are as much a part of going to school as recess, and where racial, sexual orientation and gender inequality is still at the forefront of society.
But her challenges don’t even come close to those who don’t share the white privilege our family lives.
My young daughter has taught her elder mother a lot these past two weeks. Not only has she brought me up to speed on the acronyms and slang that have become woven into our national conversation, she’s teaching me and showing me there is a lot of work to do—and it starts with me. She is giving me hope that it will be her generation who is fed up and will lead the charge for change that has been needed for hundreds of years, that has led to this boiling point. But they can’t do it alone.
Black voices must be heard and supported because Black Lives Matter. We must all be the change. That’s why this week I spent a lot of time outside of the kitchen in order to listen, absorb, and educate myself.
I avoid addressing politics in this space, but racism isn’t political. Equality is a human right.
You may not agree with my beliefs and wish to stop following me here and elsewhere. That is your choice and 100% okay with me. But I can’t, and I won’t, stand by and avoid these hard conversations with myself and others for the sake of a page view. I owe it to my daughter, my community, and the black lives who don’t share the same privilege I do.
Food photos and recipes can wait, but human rights and justice can’t.
I hope this week’s list of faves educate and encourage action and change and click every one.
Your voice must be heard to hold local and national authorities and politicians accountable. How to register to vote and deadlines for mail-in ballots for your state.
Heart lifting –> This dad goes viral with a review of his daughter’s restaurant and shares message about black owned businesses.
This raw video from activist Killer Mike explains so much, brings me to tears, and makes me want to be better every time I watch it.
How racist are you? Jimmy Fallon talks to Jane Elliott about her blue eye/brown eye experiment.
and…
See how the blue eye/brown eye experiment worked in teaching this group of white adults how it feels to be black.
It’s been 56 years since Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech. So why haven’t things changed more? I found this simple video helps explain why.
Education is the most impactful way to fight systemic racism. My daughter goes to the #1 public high school in Utah. Too many students don’t have the same resources her school provides. That’s why I donated to College Track, to help students from some of the most underserved communities in America get into and graduate from college. I designated my donation go to my former home of Los Angeles.
Now I get it: Why saying “all lives matter” is a problem.
His daughter is black. His son is white. This is not the future our children deserve.
Sesame Street is holding a town hall to talk about racism with families.
Teaching how to be a good human begins at home with these children’s books will start you on your way.
and…
20 books to read about white privilege and being anti-racist.
Articles, podcasts, movies, videos: Anti-racism resources for white people.
Some of the best cookbooks, products and more created by black creators.
14 inspiring black people to follow on Instagram.
and…
30 black food bloggers to follow now.
and…
More fave recipes from black food bloggers:
This pineapple sheet cake makes every summer day sunnier.
These baked jerk chicken bowls make meal prep peppy.
Aioli is the topping for these healthy and easy salmon cakes.
This lemon loaf skips the butter for olive oil to make it good…make it real good.
Low carb fried rice to keep your QT cooking in check.
Get your immune booster in one swig with this detox tea.
This herby steak salad will fill you up without weighing you down.
Time to hit the sauce! Vegan garlic alfredo sauce that is.
20 black owned beauty and fashion brands to check out now. That dress from Fe Noel is loverly.
and…
More black designers to wear. Love that leather belt bag.
Here’s the link to the BE KIND t-shirt in the photo at the top of this post.
From candles to kids clothes, check out these super cute things.
One of my favorite black comedians has something to say.
Kudos to British Vogue for featuring a cross-section of key workers instead of models on their cover.
That’s it for this week. Stay safe and educate.
We send good emails. Subscribe to FoodieCrush and have each post plus exclusive content only for our subscribers delivered straight to your e-mail box.
Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter for more FoodieCrush inspiration.
As always, thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. All opinions are always my own.
Lauren C
Thank you for this important Friday Faves! I am glad our girls are challenging entrenched inequality together! This is a time for them to learn, to grow, to become active anti racist. To become a helpful ally. I am am so proud of our girls and their friends. I love their strength, their heart, their compassion. Their willingness to listen, and then get involved!
Ashley @ Foodie Crush
YESS!
Dave
I had hoped that the 60’s ended this. But, I’ve experienced, first hand, passive aggression when visiting the antebellum south. I’m white and live in CA, where tolerance (to a point) exceeds the national average (I hope). Anyway, while visiting there, I could literally feel, taste and smell the hatred between the black and white Americans.
Obviously, to me, not much there has changed from civil war days. It was appalling and unacceptable to me.
My real regret in all this, is the destruction of the artifacts (statues) that represents our history. Why not create a museum to display the persons who were so inhumanely cruel to human-kind based solely on color and ignoring the US Constitution (re that all are created equal – as long as you’re white and male – implicit) and educate we (who are ignorant) so that we may better understand and be empathetic to the horrors of that age and be more supportive of the plight of today. What spurned this is not only unimaginably egregious but horrifically unacceptable.
While I agree with the removal of statues honoring those directly responsible for who we where and who we are somewhat still, but undergoing change, is not acceptable. It directs history to repeat itself. You can not take it back so use it as a tribute to not allow it to ever happen again.
I am a boomer and have lived thru it all. I’m old, tired, fed up, and done fighting. All I can offer is advice. You millennials need to listen to history and get involved in running this country. My generation is about done. This is now your fight.
Jo
Thank you for writing all this.
Very needed!
I’m 70 years old. I was raised in the heart of Detroit. We had every ethnic group in our neighborhood. Then I married and moved to small town USA. I became a nurse. Now I’m retired and I have very little contact with people who are not white.
I’m so glad people are talking. I’m listening. I want to learn. What do I need to do? What prejudices have I unknowingly acquired? How do I need to change? Has any of my thinking become eschewed? I need to self check my attitudes, my comments, the way I see things.
This is the time for things to change.
Jan Landmann
From New Zealand, thank you for this beautiful, articulate and thoughtful post that reminds us all that we are responsible for the change that is so desperately needed. My heart aches for those who have endured systemic racism and injustice, but I am hopeful that this tragic event will be the catalyst for honest dialog and meaningful change. It begins with us.
Shelley
Well done Heid!
So happy to see so many of your followers are on the same page!
Getting the “knees off the necks” of our fellow countrymen and women is long overdue.
Good on Smudge and Happy 16th BD. xx
Michi
Thank you for your words, this post and the links! All are so very poignant and important.
Kathryn
Your blog/email today really touched my heart. Thank you and stay safe.
El
Well said, Heidi!!
I read a very interesting article about the Amy Cooper incident in New York City, and I believe that the author is absolutely correct – nothing will change unless we (those of white privilege) feel uncomfortable enough with the status quo to start really changing things. And change starts with one person and grows from there …
Kerry
Heidi, I’ve followed and loved your blog for probably three years now. Many of your recipes are in regular rotation at my house. I always look forward to your Friday Faves post because I always find something new whether it is a funny YouTube video, a great product or a new recipe… From Somebody Else’s Blog!
For me, this last part says a lot about your character and I particularly love that you have included 30 black food bloggers to follow, this week. Thank you!! I’ve felt helpless this week wanting to do something, anything and this is a start. I’ve already jumped over to Fit Men Cook – fantastic site! And am gathering the ingredients for a tea recipe from Orchids and Sweet Tea. I don’t think I would have found these blogs on my own. Thanks again Heidi!
Blue
Nicely said. Couldn’t agree with you more. I am Canadian . I look forward to seeing some changes in November.
I enjoy reading your posts! Well done Heidi! Enjoy your weekend.
Blue
Jill
Thank you for your statements. We have to speak out against the mistreatment of our fellow humans who don’t get to have the same level of privilege that we take for granted.
Debra
I completely agree with your sentiments. Thank you for posting them. My younger son turned 16 this year and I feel like you do, that it will be their generation who can see beyond race, gender and sexual orientation to cultivate a more equitable world for everyone to live in.
Sonia
This is a FANTASTIC “Friday Faves!” As a black woman with a black husband and son, there has never been a time that I don’t worry about them when they leave our home. I live in the “NICE NEIGHBORHOOD” (read “white neighborhood”), my husband and I both have professional careers, I sat on the board of my son’s private school, I’ve been president of the middle and high-school PTA, etc., etc. None of those things have saved my husband from being pulled over by the police, only to be told, “Did you know that you don’t have any warrants?” (Yes, that’s a true story!) And it didn’t stop my son’s 6th grade male teacher from having him charged with 2nd degree assault when he was 12 years old and weighed 68 lbs. The charge… hitting the teacher on the top of the head with a manila folder… Following a school investigation, other students reported that that’s the way my son had to communicate with him/get his attention… by physically touching him, otherwise the teacher wouldn’t engage him. (The teacher was psychologically punishing my child by constantly ignoring him.) Even thought the school investigation cleared him, the teacher still filed charges with the state that went all the way to the States Attorney. Fortunately, the lawyer we hired had a relationship with the SA’s office, and the charges were dropped months later. Still, “my son had to keep his nose clean for 3 years.” I could go on and on… It’s exhausting being black. From microaggressions in the workplace, to being followed and literally tailgated and harassed by racist white men whenever I take a drive in my nice sports car, BEING BLACK IS EXHAUSTING!
Thank you acknowledging your privilege and committing to action to uplift black lives. Black lives do matter… Tell your daughter, SHE ROCKS!
Jo
Thank you for writing. I am so sorry. We need to hear your voice. We need to HEAR your voice! We need to change. I pray this is the time. You’re a mom – you deserve better than this. Your son deserves better than this. We need to change. Lord, help us.
Linda Miller
Thanks for being brave and speaking your heart. I’m with you. The only way justice and peace will prevail, is for those of us who are white to have the hard conversations and go out and make the changes that are necessary. Racism can only be solved by white people!