“In Springfield they’re eating the dogs. The people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there.”
With those words spoken during his September 10 debate with Kamala Harris, U.S. Vice President and Democratic Party’s nominee for the upcoming Presidential election, Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s nominee, found himself at the center of a meme frenzy. Or should we say a meme banquet.
The mayor of Springfield, Ohio, refuted Trump’s claim that immigrants, particularly Haitians, were consuming their neighbors’ pets. However, a South African band called Kiffness has released a song titled ‘Eating the Cats’ featuring Trump’s voice set to a reggaeton beat. Memes have emerged depicting cats and dogs nervously watching TV, realizing their owner is an immigrant. Late-night host Jimmy Fallon remarked that while Harris appeared prepared during the debate, Trump seemed like, “My homework was eaten by a dog that was eaten by people in Ohio.” A witty friend joked, “At which meal do they eat the pets? High Tea, of course.”
Amidst the humor and eye-rolling, there lies some food for thought.
Food often serves as a means to bridge gaps between individuals. It is a way to connect. However, food can also be used to highlight differences and discriminate against certain groups of people. This unfortunate reality has been evident in the U.S. presidential campaign. Following Harris’s post about her Indian heritage, far-right activist and Trump supporter Laura Loomer suggested that if Harris were to become President, the White House would smell like curry.
Loomer dismissed it as a joke, but it struck a chord with many South Asians who have faced discrimination based on the aroma of their traditional foods. Food is often the first aspect of culture that immigrants proudly share, yet it can also become a target for ridicule and prejudice.
Greens and fish head curry
Decades ago, when my parents resided in London during a time when Indian cuisine was not as prevalent, my mother would occasionally cook dishes that reminded her of home, like greens with fish head curry. Embarrassed by the unconventional meal, she would pretend to her fishmonger that she owned a cat. I can envision my mother returning home, passing by English flowers like hydrangeas and daisies, concealing her packet of malodorous lies wrapped in newsprint.
Loomer’s remarks garnered attention in India, with many media outlets labeling it as a racially insensitive post. However, in some respects, she is not far removed from individuals in India who discriminate against those whose culinary traditions differ from their own. The movie Axone depicts the chaos that ensues when a group of friends from Northeast India attempt to prepare a pungent delicacy for a wedding in Delhi. Although fictional, it sheds light on the real struggles faced by individuals from the Northeast who encounter hostility from landlords due to unfamiliar ingredients such as fermented yams, soya beans, and bamboo shoots.
According to food delivery platform Swiggy, biryani is one of the most popular items ordered. However, when public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam expressed concerns about potential sympathy for 26/11 terror accused Ajmal Kasab, he falsely claimed that Kasab was being served biryani in prison. This unfounded statement not only demonized biryani but also associated it with terrorism. In the aftermath of 9/11, FBI agents raided a South Asian family in Pennsylvania suspected of preparing bombs, only to discover that they were cooking biryani.
Immigrants: the real issue
The narrative of immigrants consuming pets further exacerbates the already contentious issue of immigration in the current election cycle. It implies that immigrants not only bring unfamiliar foods but also pose a threat to society. However, this tactic of using food to alienate others is not new. In the early 2000s, The Sun tabloid in the U.K. falsely claimed that refugees were stealing and barbecuing swans from the Queen’s parks, perpetuating harmful stereotypes. This fabricated story, known as the ‘Swanbake,’ was later debunked.
Using food to ostracize certain groups is a dangerous practice that can have severe consequences. While it may seem harmless to mock culinary preferences, it becomes alarming when individuals are targeted and persecuted based on their dietary choices. It is crucial for us all to reflect on how we perceive and treat others, especially when it comes to something as personal and culturally significant as food.
The author of this article is the writer of ‘Don’t Let Him Know’ and is passionate about sharing his perspectives with others.
Published – September 16, 2024 06:08 pm IST
