Green is the New Black
It’s hip. It’s hot. It‘s totally fab. All the cool kids are doin’ it….going VEGAN, that is. And, one of them -the cool kids, I mean – a sister by the name of Breeze Harper, actually wrote a book about it. The book is called…get this…. Sistah Vegan: Black Female Vegans Speak on Food, Identity, Health, and Society! Booyahkashaaa! How you like them apples? That’s some title. Sounds all smart and ish. Probably because the sister who wrote it, A. Breeze Harper (who will henceforth and forever more be “Cool Breeze” to me) is a Ph.D candidate at University of California, Davis (did her Master’s at Harvard, btw) has been doing some super smarty pants research on the “intersections of black feminisms, critical race theory and food politics”. Then, of course, she wrote a book about it. Like to hear it? Here it go:
“Sistah Vegan explores food politics, identity, sexuality, health, womanism, feminism, decolonization, anti-racism, eco-sustainability, and animal rights through the lens of the black female vegan experience in the USA. It is the first volume of its kind to address the racialized-gendered vegan experience in the USA.”
I don’t know about you, y’all, but I got my lighter in the air behind that mess! Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I am not a vegan. Not even hardly. Please, mama ain’t never laid eyes on a pork chop, strip of bacon or rib tip she could say no to. I try not to eat too much junk, but I have my weaknesses. Oh Clutchettes, I have so many weaknesses. I could give a damn about fast food and Oreos, but get me around some good, crusty French bread and a stick butter and IT IS ON! You know that annoying chick in the restaurant who keeps calling the waiter to her table asking for another bread basket? I’m that girl!
But, I’m trying, y’all. Truly I am. I hit the gym a few times a week for kickboxing class, go hiking on the weekends, even tried a few yoga classes (okay, ONE yoga class…..damn!) And, although I fall way short of the nutrition goddess glory, I do attempt to steer clear of absolute krap, except under emergency circumstances, of course (translation: when I’m PMSing, I will kill any fool who tries to take my Peanut M&Ms. Trust!) Having said all that, I know I can do more. I work in the public health field, and I hear too many statistics about Black Women and our health. I’m sick of hearing stuff like: “34% more likely to die from breast cancer” and “twice as likely” to be diagnosed with diabetes. Don’t get me started on our numbers related to AIDS, heart disease, obesity and infant mortality – I’ll SCREAM! That is, after I cry.
Look, I know bupkis about veganism – I wouldn’t know a soy curd from a doggie’s chew toy. But, I’m open. And, though Cool Breeze might have to come to my house personally and pry the pork chop out of my cold, dead hands, I’m willing to at least take a read. I totally dig that a young sister is putting these ideas out there and hope that maybe it opens the space for more African Americans to begin a dialogue about the place nutrition plays in our health and about at least considering incorporating some holistic ideas and practices into bettering our lives. I hope some other Clutchettes out there, the committed vegans and just the curious, will check out Sistah Vegan and at least listen to what Sistah Cool Breeze has to say. I want us to lead strong healthy lives, so we can have more time to SHOP FOR SHOES!
Harper’s book will be released on March 1, 2010.
*For more on Sistah Vegan and A. Breeze Harpers work
**The health stats quoted in article came from The Office of Minority Heath:
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Great article! It’s so refreshing to have a book like “Sistah Vegan” which not only allows, but also encourages Black women to live a healthy lifestyle.
Let’s not get confused that veganism = healthy. I am a vegan sister and, trust me, it is easy to eat crap food. There is so much vegan junk food out there! Yes, veganism can be much healthier than the standard american diet but people still need to focus on eating healthy, fresh, whole foods. Veganism isn’t just about health, either.
No offense, but it sounds like the author of this post didn’t really read the book. If that is not the case, my apologies. This is the first I’ve heard of this book, but I’ve read much about how accepted some races and classes are in veganism. This article could have done a better job touching on some of those issues. There is more to this topic than lowering your risk of diabetes.
I think the author was just trying to introduce the book to us. It wasn’t a book review. Most people do turn to veganism for health reasons. She clearly stated that she didn’t know much about the subject but was willing to learn.
I liked this post, it was fun and it made me want to check out the book. I’m a bread gal, too! I’ve been starting to eat healthier and buy more fruits and vegetables. It really is hard to eat healthy on a busy schedule. It’s just so easy to grab something fast and fatty.
I’m a vegetarian which means I do not eat meat but I do include eggs, milk, and dairy in my daily diet. Vegans do not include meat and any type of dairy products in their diet. They also do not wear any animal furs or anything made from animals (or at least that’s why my vegan friends have told me!). I would love to be a vegan but I, like the author, loves my bread and butter! For me, it was more of a health thing. When I was eating meat, I felt heavier and always tired and out of breath. Now I feel alive again. I still venture off occassionally and eat a ton of bread but I try to check myself when that happens.
I encourage black women to eat healthier all the time. You may not want to go vegan or vegetarian but incorporate parts of that diet into your own. I think in Baltimore the schools have meatless Mondays which was a landmark move to encourage healthy eating among urban kids who would not otherwise choose do so.
I will definitely be picking up a copy of this book when I get a chance.
Great post!
I need something like Sistah Vegan. Growing up in the South eating healthy was a rare thing to come across and now that I am older and athletic, I still find it hard to stay away from the red meats and fatty, greasy foods. I try every single day and it is paying off, this article was more motivation to me that I can do it. Thanks.
Deja, I know that it can be difficult to make dietary changes. Keep in mind that there is a community of folk can would help guide you or anyone else making a transition to a healthier lifestyle. SV will be a great start and you can also visit http://www.myspace.com/blackgreenandveg for support. Thanks for the heads up on the book, Clutch!
Thanks for promoting Sistah Vegan on Clutch. I’ve always felt ya’ll could really use Clutch to draw in the folks who are active in “alternative” (food) movements (veg*nism, holistic health, good food, urban ag, etc), that are also participating in everything else Clutch has to offer.
While veganism is not for everyone, books like SV will foster dialogue and collective critical thinking about black folks (women especially, as we make the major food purchasing decisions) and their relationship with food (one can hope).
For those of you who want to see more on intersections of race and class in veganism, check out VegansOfColor.wordpress.com
A.C.,
I love your openess and honesty and willliness to do better. And I am proud of you. For the cognizance of your own health and eating habits and acknowlegement of the correlation of food and health amongst your Sisters.Thank you for both.
And I thank you for this article, because such a subject is few and far inbetween discussed.
I’m going to get Ms. Harper’s book right away! Can’t wait!
Well done Clutch! I agree with Melissa that now, more than ever is an opportunity to connect black people with deeper discussion about our foodways and health, which are directly connected.
I am not a vegan, but probably 1/2 of my meals are meat/dairy/egg free, with a focus always on eating whole (unprocessed) foods as often as possible.
I also love to find creative ways to make food look and taste great, so books like Bryant Terry’s Vegan Soul Kitchen can help people create great, healthy food that honors our flavorful roots.
Keep up the great work!
Rue Mapp
Founder
Outdoor Afro
http://outdoorafro.com
Kristin, no offense, but it seems like you didn’t even really read the article. Despite that I think you make a valid point.
I won’t pretend to know anything about veganism; in fact, I stopped paying attention to the science of food a long time ago. Some sources will tell you to avoid fruit, because it has too much sugar or don’t eat rice, because it has too many carbs. I just use a common sense, non-scientific approach to my diet. I don’t have any interest in joining the vegan movement, but I appreciate healthy eating being marketed to the African-American community. I get tired of seeing a disproportionate amount of black people at fast food restaurants, the local fish fry (my weakness), country buffets, etc.
Thanks for opening up the dialogue AC.
It appears that I didn’t read the article? Do tell.
Ditto Melissa! Love the “good food” movement coverage on Clutch. Looking forward to more.
I’m currently in training to become a Certified Health Counselor and the main tenet of our curriculum is no one diet works for everyone. Body chemistry is very individual so what works for one may not work for another. In any case, it’s great to experiment and see what gives you energy, loose weight, clear your acid reflux etc. I for one, am thrilled to see an article on Clutch giving publicity to a lifestyle that’s considered to be “hippie” or “alternative.” Kudos.
Funny article….I’m one of those “curious” ppl…maybe I will check the book out…..shouts to the field of Public Health I just got my B.S. in the field last year and working on applying to grad school =0)
I just received Sistah Vegan from Amazon this week. It is a must read, regardless of your dietary and health habits. I will definitely share some of this information in my church. Veganism is correlated with so many issues in the black community, from the obesity epidemic, the lack of healthy eating options in our communities, the health issues that plague African people worldwide, the GMO issue, the products we use on our skin and hair, the overall food distribution issue and the abuse of animals in farms, etc.
Breeze is giving away a copy of Sistah Vegan to one lucky person.
Thank you for promoting this book on here, while the article wasn’t that indepth at least it brings to light alternative lifestyles which are healthy for people and the planet.
I’m a vegetarian (mostly vegan though) yogi and it used to be tiring to hear “you don’t eat fried chicken (or do this or that), what kind of black person are you? ” I really hope that people can begin to see that they don’t have to define themselves by what a “black person should or is supposed to be” (or anyone for that matter) just be who you are and at the end of the day you can be satisfied.
I am a black female vegan and I am definitely looking forward to purchasing this book. It talks about veganism and alternative food movements with an emphasis on a group that is often ignored or left out of these movements. She mentions decolonizing our diets and she also has videos on youtube. look her up!