Social Justice Barbecue

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From Genevive:

A couple weekends ago, my mom and I were talking about the brutal murder of George Floyd. I was having trouble sleeping (probably for multiple reasons) but at that moment staying silent through this time was eating at me. I wanted to do something. My mom suggested we lean on what we do best: food. I am lucky to have a woman in my life that empowers me like this. This is part of my privilege. Cooking a dinner for 59 people was a risk, but these risks make change possible. Changing systemic racism requires people to feel uncomfortable. You may not always do or say the right thing, but this is the process of learning. I can promise that the meals I made were in no way perfect, but sharing them anyway was my small risk for change. Putting the ego aside, stepping away from excuses rooted in fear, and just acting—however big or small, creates change.

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Many people have asked for the coleslaw and cornbread recipes, and they were very much adapted from other sources. The coleslaw recipe can be found in “Meathead” by Greg Blonder and Meathead Goldwyn.

Coleslaw:

Feeding 4 people

  • 1/4 green cabbage, shredded

  • 1/4 red cabbage, shredded

  • 1 pepper, sliced and diced

  • 2 carrots, shredded

  • 1/2 red onion, diced small

  • 1/4 c sour cream

  • 1/4 c mayo

  • 3 TBS relish

  • 1 TBS sugar

  • 1 TBS white vinegar

  • 1/2 tsp mustard powder

  • 1/2 tsp coriander seed

  • 1/2 tsp white pepper

  • 1 tsp celery seed

  • 1/2 tsp salt

Shred cabbage and carrots with box grater or food processor (shredding attachment). De-seed and thinly slice pepper, then chop. Mix cabbage, carrots, pepper, and onion in a large bowl. Combine all other ingredients in a small bowl. Then dress coleslaw.

Cornbread:

Serves 12

  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, plus extra for greasing

  • 1 cup cornmeal

  • 1 cup AP flour

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • 1/2 tsp baking soda

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1/4 brown sugar

  • 1/4 honey

  • 1 1/4 cup buttermilk

  • 2 eggs

  • sesame seeds for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter small 8x8 inch pan. First, brown the butter in a medium saucepan. Let it cook over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, you should see the dairy solids sink to the bottom and the butter should foam. Set the butter aside to cool. Mix cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk (runny) honey, buttermilk, and eggs in a medium bowl. Add 1 TBS of butter to the pan and place in the oven for 5 minutes before pouring batter. This makes for a yummy browned bottom. Create a well in dry ingredients and add wet ingredients, whisk to combine. Add butter and ALL browned bits to batter, whisking to combine. Pour into pan, sprinkle with sesame seeds, bake for 25-30 minutes, or until middle is set.

Adapted from: https://cafedelites.com/easy-buttermilk-cornbread/

From Lynda

The gratification that comes with this effort and our approach allowed kindness to expand beyond a check to Black Lives Matter ( we raised 1,252)  I watched Genevive take on a task that I am well familiar with. She fed 59 people.  There is so much satisfaction in feeding people. And she rose to the occasion. Never one to cut corners, every aspect of the dinner was made with devotion and love.

Unfortunately I wasn’t feeling well. As I lay napping, I heard  her footsteps racing through the house trying to get it all done.  Our new adopted son, Connell Poor, was deep in pork and slaw. 

 In my case with dying, I have to let go; my choices and my ability shrinks. It’s out of my hands. But it is nothing when compared to the death of George Floyd.

I can’t fathom the cruel way that  he died. I’m trying to die with integrity. He died under the knee of a heartless and angry man. I don’t pretend to understand what it is to be born with a color that instantly puts you at a disadvantage. I don’t know what it’s like to spark suspicion and distrust based on the color of my skin.  I try to look at the soul of a person. After all  the rest is just a vessel to transport you around.  Someone posted a picture on Facebook. It was a series of skeletons and above there were label : white , black, asian , gay... you get the picture. In the end it’s just a bunch of bones.

It is how we lived our lives that matters. I am grateful to see the world show we still have a heart, a conscience. I grateful to have a daughter with so much compassion that it kept her awake at night. A daughter that is willing to act on her convictions. We should all live with passion for equal justice. And I’m grateful for my husband who rarely says no to our crazy ideas.  Please let’s show unity and love. To all that participants in this fundraiser, we thank you. ❤️

Genevive & Lynda