Is There Such a Thing as Segregation with Food?

            Throughout the past few years, our food system has experienced drastic changes, and obesity and other food related issues have become increasingly larger problems.  Specifically in the article “Fried Chicken and Fresh Apples” by Kwate, he discusses food issues between different races.  It is evident that specific foods are not affordable to all individuals.  Especially the extremely healthy, organic foods are targeted towards middle upper classmen.  Specifically in this article, Kwate deals with the differentiation between African American societies and wealthy Caucasian societies.  In African American societies, foods such a fried chicken are more ubiquitous, and therefore easier to obtain.  Although fast food is obviously present in White Societies, for African American societies it is more convenient and practical, whereas white societies generally have many more options.  Segregation is still present in America, and currently fast food companies are targeting African American communities because the majority of them are living near each other, and an industry has to know their consumers.  The targeting of poor people generally turns into targeting specific races, and in this case specifically African Americans.  African Americans are even targeted to work at Fast Food chains, enforcing their location in African American communities.  These neighborhoods are often categorized as “ghettos,” also thought of as deteriorating neighborhoods.  Fast Food chains are more likely to overpopulate themselves in neighborhoods that are not as wealthy to ensure a large consumer population.  African American’s in general have very little political power, and have difficulty making their voice heard.  Obviously a major issue within our food system is the targeting of specific racial groups because the processed food industry, specifically fast food chains, is growing in neighborhoods where they know they can make a profit.   

            I think this is a very prevalent issue today.  If America’s food system wants to go through a transformation, wealthy white Americans cannot be the only class involved.  In my opinion a transformation has to include all of the people of America, especially those in the lower class and African American communities because they still to this day make up a large percentage of our population.  The fact that fast food companies target lower classmen and mainly African American communities, is a great advertising strategy, but terrible for the health of the African American community.  The issue lies with the idea of availability.  The fact that it is so easy for African American’s to find a piece of fried chicken over fresh grown vegetables increases the chances that they will choose the unhealthy food.  Although it is true that many African Americans cannot afford the healthy option, there are many African Americans that have to be given the option.  The overpopulation of fast food chains in specific communities needs to end, and healthier more affordable foods have to be substituted in African American and lower classmen’s diets.      

WHY?

Is it possible for the government to step in and make laws about the number of fast food restaurants in a given area?

Why are African Americans specifically targeted when there are so many other poor races?