Who knew food could get so political? Apparently our understanding of race relations and what constitutes as offensive actions is quite elementary.

Around February 4, the Tweeters were afire over some news about a Black History month-inspired menu over at NBC. Questlove of The Roots, who play on Jimmy Fallon, posted a picture of the menu on Twitter and liberal New Yorkers everywhere began expressing their outrage at the dishes. The picture showed that the menu included: fried chicken, collard greens with smoked turkey, white rice with black eyed peas, jalapeno cornbread, and the choice of water or soda, all for just $7.50. Of course I’m wondering, why stop there? Where’s the watermelon for dessert and the Hi-C? This reminds of the comment some dumb fuck made about an event early in Tiger Woods‘ career.

Picture courtesy of Questlove of The Roots

But the honest truth is that we all harbor stereotypes and would we expect better behavior from the big ol’ boys running media in America? We might hope for better but we shouldn’t expect better. And to play devil’s advocate, if Bobby Flay did this, with a Southwestern twist, what would be the reaction? By the way, in case you missed this and you want real cuisine like the aforementioned dishes, Crain’s New York reported that Sylvia’s now offers curbside and home delivery, between 110th and 145th.

But back to the matter at hand. I have a solution for this: let’s put it all out there because the honest to god truth is I am a secular reform Jew and I fucking love bagels with cream cheese and lox. And yes, my family uses every excuse possible to create an event which will inevitably revolve around getting family together and yes, you guessed it, eating. So, why not accept the stereotypes for all and do what Americans do best: EAT! So, here’s my proposed menu.

January: Gong Xi Fa Cai! Dumplings, hot and sour soup, scallion pancake, General Tso’s Chicken, white rice, fortune cookies…

February: Black History Month. Soul food, complete with grits available with either cheese or butter, fruit punch or sweet tea…

May: Cinco de Mayo! Quesadillas, chips and guacamole, rice and black beans, horchata, margaritas…

July: Independence day and thank god, because British food is pure shiite! American style junk food/BBQ: Hot dogs, cheeseburgers, fries, soft drinks, apple pie and chocolate chip cookies, maybe ice cream sundaes for the kid in all of us. Oh, and 40-ounce Bud Light bottles for all! Cheers to the Marlboro Man, RIP!

September: Jewish New Year! Embrace the Carb like a good Jew! Bagels, bialys, cream cheese, kugel, lox, whitefish, ruggelach, blintzes…

December: WASP time. Merry fucking Xmas, whether you pray to Jesus or not! Shepherd’s pie, steak and potatoes, lots of sour cream, big loaf of Wonder Bread, grilled and coated with gobs of 100% real butter, straight from the cow’s tit.

Being serious and mature again, I should also recommend that you all read Jamaal Young’s cover story for the New York Press on the revival of Negro. It’s interesting and the census comment is something I noticed years ago. I also noticed that for those Americans that are niether “Latino, Negro, White, or Asian/Pacific Islander,” they are subject to the “other” box, which I would really fuck with were I not pale as all shit. Seriously, if your parents are from Jordan or India, what box do you check? Australian heritage? I guess Asia Pac? Me, I will again classify myself as “peach,” because as my wise father reminded me “we are not white, we’re peach.”

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, joins African-Americans in remembering those who have died with AIDS and in fighting the disease. “We have a national responsibility to alleviate the HIV/AIDS-related suffering of African-Americans by ensuring that they have full knowledge of—and access to—all proven forms of HIV prevention, treatment and care,” says Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The 10th annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is February 7.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2007, African Americans/blacks were 13% of the U.S. population, but represented 51% of all HIV/AIDS cases diagnosed. Data also showed blacks represented 70% of all gonorrhea cases and black women are increasingly becoming a high-risk group, largely because of heterosexual interactions. In 2007, the prevalence of HIV in the black community was almost eight times that of the white community.

Click here for statistics from the CDC

One sector of the beauty market that has not been saturated is makeup for women of color. This led us to our search for makeup lines with a range that covers all complexions. The result was a grouping of primarily independent cosmetic companies offering powder-based mineral lines. We love powder for the summer to help hide shine amid the humidity. Whether you are African American, Indian, Japanese, Italian-American, of Middle Eastern descent, or any other beautiful combination of ethnicities, one of these brands likely has a shade that will match your complexion.

Portland, Oregon-based Alima Pure is a great small mineral makeup line that meets Germany’s Certified Natural Cosmetic certification, dubbed BHID. We love the range and their packaging, which is comprised of 100% recycled fiber. Made in the United States, the line is also cruelty-free and offers powder foundation and blush options to suit beautiful skin ranging from ivory to brown to red undertones.

For a powder compact that’s great for travel, opt for one of the first to the game—Jane Iredale. We love the PurePressed Base mineral powder for many reasons, including the SPF 20 factor, the instant matte look it creates and the classy packaging in a gold compact and a blue faux-velvet cover. Shades go light enough to suit the palest Northern lasses or dark enough to cover beautiful Ebony belles.

For a little anti-aging with your makeup, look for the mineral makeup line from Freeze 24/7. While the color range is not as big, there is still a great selection and all come with SPF 18, GABA to relax muscles, and vitamins and soybean extracts to moisturize and preserve elasticity.

One tried and true brand has used packaging technologies to offer a mess-free solution to fresh mineral makeup. Enter Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish, a thick black mirrored compact with SPF 20 PA++ mineral makeup and a puff. The container features a metal screen that the puff sits atop. To get more foundation, simply twist the top of the compact and fresh powder appears.

Finally, to get all your beauty needs in one place, check out Bamboo Aesthetics, a company that makes haircare, skincare and body products, as well as a mineral makeup line. The makeup collection is primarily for Caucasian and East Asian women, but makes fine distinctions between skin tones, such as yellow, blue, red, and pink.

Where:
To buy online or learn more about Elizabeth Arden mineral products, , visit the Elizabeth Arden website. To find a store near you carrying Jane Iredale products, , click here.. To learn more about Bamboo Aesthetics products , visit the Bamboo Aesthetics website. To buy Alima Pure items, , visit the Alima Pure website. For more information on Freeze 24-7 makeup, , visit the Freeze 24-7 website.

Spotted: Park Avenue South

Name: Natasha

Age: 33

Hometown: Nashville

Current ‘hood: Manhattan

First language: English

Job: Career Consultant

Ethnicity: African American

Religion: Non-practicing Catholic

Favorite Condiment: Thai spicy chili sauce

Favorite Nut: Cashew

On your iPod now: Prince, David Bowie

What’s In Your Makeup Case: L’oreal lipstick

Favorite Movie: Evil Dead, The Color Purple

Dream Job: I wanted to be an actress.

Wishlist: To travel around Central Europe for a year.

Spotted: Flatiron

Name: Sahel

Age: 20

Hometown: Manhattan

Current ‘hood: Manhattan

First language: English

Other languages: A little Spanish

Job: Retail sales associate, accounting student

Ethnicity: African American

Religion: Christian

Favorite Condiment: Ketchup

Favorite Nut: Cashew

On your iPod now: Ciara, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z

What’s In Your Makeup Case: Prescriptives

Favorite Movie: The Devil Wears Prada

Dream Job: To be an entrepreneur and own a lounge

Wishlist: To own a townhouse, a Bentley, have five kids and husband.

She/He

Spotted: Fort Greene, Brooklyn

Name: Lyani///Nasan

Age: 28//29

Hometown: Germany, Puerto Rico, Alabama, Atlanta & NYC///

Kingston, Jamaica

Current ‘hood: Brooklyn//Brooklyn

First language: English//English

Other languages: Spanish//Patua

Job: Set designer for film and print //hip-hop artist

Ethnicity: Native American/African American/Puerto Rican/Rainforest tribe ////Jamaican American

Religion: “I’m in between religions.” // Baha’i

Favorite Condiment: Mojo//ketchup

Favorite Nut: Almond//Walnut

On your iPod now: Adele (the 19 album), Hector Lavoe//Sizzla, Manu Chao

What’s In Your Makeup Case: C.O. Bigelow lip gloss

Favorite Movie: Snatch, City of God//Snatch

Dream Job: “I’m doing it.”//Marine biologist

Wishlist: A new bike, a white Giant.//To be able to live with music and provide for my family.

Spotted: SONYA Gallery, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn

Name: Malik

Age: 39

Hometown: Brooklyn

Current ‘hood: Brooklyn

First language: English

Other languages: I used to speak a bit of Swahili

Job: Artist, photographer

Ethnicity: African American (Guinea, Madagascar), Native American (Blackfoot, Apache, Cherokee, Choctaw, among other tribes)

Religion: None

Favorite Condiment: Apricot preserve

Favorite Nut: Cashew

On your iPod now: Immortal Technique, Taigaa!, The Brand New Heavies

Favorite Movie: Matrix 2, The Lord of the Rings, The Bourne Identity, Being John Malkovich, Delicatessen, Belly, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Dream Job: To be a working artist. To live out my brand, not just do what people want me to do.

Wishlist: To be a successful working artist. To be able to buy a building with a studio and room for my family to live in it.