Blog 4.
The thought that food can
manipulate and transform cultures isn’t new, however the importance of tracking
and mapping of it is. As said by Kuttainen (2015) in
this weeks lecture, “Food can transform culture and culture can
transform food”. So by having the understanding of this lets try to take a step
back and look at the bigger picture. Food can transform culture? If who
controls the food can effect our culture then what ramifications does that have
on culture? Personally I work in hospitality and I can see as clear as day, when
the chefs change the food so dose the customers and when the people changes so
does the food, reaffirming what was said in the weeks lecture. What is
surprising tho is how drastic the change is and how by transforming spaces and
places we also create new identities of the original place. So when looking at
the changes in food and maybe trying to understand its narrative behind it
creates a garden on unanswered questions.
This blog I would like to touch
on something that show how food can manipulate places and spaces, identities
and even communities. I was somewhat being a cyberflaneur the other day when I
cam across a video on
YouTube that showed a town that was filled with obesity ridden people. When
watching all I could remember was thinking to myself that these people have so
many fatty food restaurants in the town an the identity of the community started
to transform built on the choices of restaurants and eating habits. So as I sat
and watched these people describe their lives some mentioned that they seemed
powerless and that they felt as if they have nowhere else to eat. So I thought
and came to the conclusion that the power struggle between people and
corporations will always exists it may just come down to what your narrative is
and what identity you choose that will determine the powers and where they lay.
Reference:
Kuttainen,
V. (2015). BA1002: Our space: Networks, narratives and the making of
place, week 8 notes [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://learnjcu/jcu.edu.au
Patel, R. (2007). Introduction. Stuffed and starved: markets, power and the hidden battle for the world food system (pp.1-19). Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au
ReplyDeleteI can understand your point regarding food and community being a disempowering place. That being said, it can also be empowering place for those who don’t fit the majority norms. For example Mooloolaba in the sunshine coast known for its cafes and amazing beaches. The majority people living there can be seen enjoying the beaches and the coffee and for someone who doesn’t like coffee and beaches this can feel like a very unwelcoming space.
Individuals learn to look at themselves through the eyes of the prison guard (TURKLE, 1995, p. 248) I feel that this is true online and offline. Offline you are separated with often little places to run due to this people often turn to the online world weather this is for better or for worse I don’t know.
Reference: Turkle.S. (1995). Life ON THE Screen, New York : SIMON & SCHUSTER PAPERBACKS
I think food can be very empowering to people. Take a look at migrant communities in Australia for example. A lot of Greeks, Vietnamese, Greeks, et cetera, have brought their food and the culture it holds with it. Pizza, an Italian dish is now produced en mass by companies like Domino's and Pizza Hut, as well as smaller gourmet outlets. I don't think benefits Italy, or Italians - directly at any rates - much, but it is a clear sign of a food from a culture becoming far more than just a dish from a country, it has taken over the world in many senses. As with Chinese food. I doubt you will be able to find a corner of the world that does not have a small Chinese takeaway store hidden in it somewhere. The spread of Chinese migrants throughout the world is enormous, and a lot of them start up their own food stores, or takeaways to make a living. The same could be said of Indian food also.
ReplyDeleteTo counter that, there is a large divide between buying 'good' wholesome food which is expensive, and buying far cheaper and less nutritious food such as takeaways. Smaller Chinese takeaway restaurants tend to use a select few wholesale seller for their raw materials (Atkins & Bowler, 2001).
References
Atkins, P. And Bowler, I. (2001). Food in Society: Economy, Culture, Geography. London, United Kingdom: Arnold.