Jonathan Beatty
Professor Craig
World Politics 001H
Date of Submission: 16 November 2011
Extra Credit Paper: SIS 2011 International Dinner
On November 2, 2011, I attended a multi-cultural event: the School of International Service’s 2011 International Dinner. The event featured six tables full of international food as the main course. Afterwards, there were international desserts and performances by international students sharing their cultural talents. Among the countries represented on the food tables were Brazil, Italy, Thailand, India, Greece, and Korea. The entertainment came from India, China, Japan, and the state of Hawaii.
The event benefitted the AU International Student Emergency Fund. Sponsored by the School of International Service, the AU International Student Fund is money available to international students who encounter unsuspected currency issues such as exchange rates. This currency issue limits their ability to purchase necessary items. From the page on the emergency fund:
“International Student & Scholar Services International Student Emergency Fund
Every year, international students face unforeseen financial difficulties. They risk having to end their studies at AU because of tragedies such as the death of a parent outside the US, civil war, natural disaster, and steep devaluations of national currencies. International students’ immigration status makes them ineligible for federal aid. In order to assist these students in need, ISSS has established an emergency fund for international students.
What the emergency fund will be used for:
Contributions made to the emergency fund will be used for immediate, short-term, financial assistance to students. Students may seek assistance for needs such as food, temporary housing, partial tuition, textbooks, or travel after the death of a family member.” (American University)
Held in the SIS Founders Room, it was a tasty event. Six tables of food and tables full of students eager to eat international food by donating to a good cause made for an exciting experience full of culture and anticipation of what may lie ahead. The various types of food made for a plate that could satisfy any palette.
At the Italian table, there was Fettuccine Alfredo and Eggplant Parmesan with small crescent-shaped lemon cookies. While many consider Fettuccine Alfredo to be a staple Italian dish, the dish is actually quite young. Created by the innovative Alfredo Di Lelio in 1914, Fettuccine Alfredo’s original purpose was to restore the appetite of his pregnant wife (Maholo.com, Fettuccine). The dish became widespread after, in 1927, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Fairbanks visited Di Lelio’s restaurant in Rome. After exclaiming at how amazing the Fettuccine tasted, they presented him with a golden fork and spoon as a testament to his prowess (Domenico's, Fettuccine). Eggplant Parmesan has been in existence for hundreds of years. Simone Prudenzani, in the beginning of the 15th Century, refers to a recipe that is almost exactly Eggplant Parmesan. There are many theories as to where this dish was created. The most logical of them is in the Southern regions of Italy. To make Eggplant Parmesan, parmigiano cheese is required. Parmigiano cheese is native to the Southern regions of Italy, so the logical idea is that it come from the Southern regions of Italy. The common version of the dish we know today originates from a book published in Cucina teorico-pratica in 1837 (CliffordAWright.com).
On the Brazilian Table, there was a traditional Brazilian salad and Mandioca Frita. Mandioca Frita translates to Fired Manioc/Yuca. A traditional Brazilian dish, Mandioca Frita takes starchy tubes and fries them to a golden-brown crust on the outside. The tubes are peeled and the white tubes are cut into pieces and fried (Maria's Cookbook, Mandioca Frita). The roots that are peeled away to create this dish are known around the world as Cassava. Cassava is a staple for over 500 million people in South America, Asia, and Africa. The plant requires little assistance and thrives in poor conditions, which is why it has become an international dish. Cassava plants are usually found close to the equator. Cassava is essentially the potato of the rest of the world. Besides the roods, the leaves of the Cassava plant are quite nutritious as well (Indies, Cassava).
At the Thailand table, one of the dishes presented was Pad Thai. Pad Thai are basically stir-fry noodles that represent Thai cooking. The noodles are egg noodles with differing sauces such as peanut to create the simple dish. While there is a hint that Pad Thai could have originated in China, the Thai have made it all their own. With the current boom in the amount of Thai restaurants around the world, especially in the United States, there is no sign of Thai culture not continuing to immerse in American food culture (Greely, Pad Thai).
At the India table, there was Tandori Chicken and Naan. Tandori Chicken, commonly thought of as a staple of Indian cuisine, was actually created in the 1920’s. Kundan Lal Gujral, a restaurant owner, used clay ovens to cook the chicken, creating a more succulent chicken. Once the Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru ate at Gujral’s restaurant, he exposed other high-powered individuals to Tandori Chicken and the rest is history. Gujral’s restaurant became a successful international chain of restaurants (Davis, Tandoori). Naan, common to Southeast Asia and India, was first commonly served in Delhi as early as 1300 A.D. While served by itself at this International Dinner, it is commonly served with soups or used to make a sandwich (What Is Naan?).
The Greek food consisted of Baba Ghanoush and beef skewers. Baba Ghanoush is another eggplant dish popular all over Europe. To make the Greek version of this dish, olive oil is used in the roasting of the eggplant. The texture of this dish is like a paste (Gustso, Baba Ghanoush). Beef skewers are part of a traditional Greek dish known as Soulaki, which is a skewer with vegetables wrapped in pita bread. Souvlakis are a common sight on Greek streets (Barrett, Souvlaki).
Student groups also performed. First was the American University Bhangra Team. Bhangra originated in Punjab as a dance to celebrate the harvest. There are indications that it has been practiced as early as the 15th Century. After being an exclusive harvest dance, the art of Bhangra dancing gained more significance when it was used in New Year celebrations and weddings (Punjab Online, Bhangra). Bhangra has enjoyed worldwide exposure after being fused with other types of music such as reggae and hip-hop. Bhangra has even been turned into an extremely successful workout plan featured on Dr. Oz. (Drive, Masala).
The American University Hawaii club performed a traditional hula dance as well as a traditional Tahitian dance. There is no record as to when hula dancing originated. Because it differs from other Polynesian dances, hula dancing can be assumed to have developed independently on the islands of Hawaii. When dancing hula, an individual represents different objects or actions with every dance move. Hula dancers tell a story with their dancing. Traditional hula ensembles include leis of flowers, a grass skirt, and anklets made of bone from whales (Wailua Bay, Hawaiian Dance). A traditional Tahitian dance is similar with the dances being symbols for various occasions. Again, stories are acted out through dance. Like Hula music, drums are very important in the dancing. It is not known when Tahitian dancing was first recorded, but the British banned this form of dance in 1820 after the British colonized. By the Mid-20th Century, Tahitian dancing revived and continues to prosper (Kelly, Tahitian Dance).
After the traditional Tahitian dance, we were treated to a traditional Chinese dance and a traditional Japanese dance. The traditional Chinese dancer is older than the first Chinese characters. By the Han Dynasty, from 206-220 AD, a government department had been created to collect dances and folk songs. In that time, each region of China had its own unique dance, even rural areas had dances unique to their culture. While Chinese Dance has remained intact, it has also evolved in many ways including into the Modern Chinese Opera. In Taiwan and China, the majority of universities and colleges have departments dedicated to teaching these cultural dances to share them with the world and preserve them (Cultural Division). Japanese dance goes back to the time of myths. In fact, two styles of Japanese dancing come from China. While some dances were exclusively for Farmers, one of the most popular forms of Japanese dance was originally a prostitute’s dance. Now dance is preserved in its many forms in Japan (Azuma-ryu).
From the point of view of SIS, there were two main reasons to put on this event. The first would be the most obvious reason: to raise money for the American University International Student Emergency Fund. This fund is extremely important, especially when students have issues with transferring money from a country to the United States. This is a safety net to ensure that these students will not have this concern.
The other main reason for the International Dinner is to promote cultural awareness. Even though we live in a city of many cultures, it is apparent how American University is monochromatic. Exposing people to new cultures, with food and entertainment, allows for a widened perspective by the individual and promotes a better sense of community at American University. At my high school, I was in charge of an event like this through my school’s World Cultures Club. As Co-President, I was in charge of setting up a Cultural Festival International Night, similar to this with ethnic food vendors, children’s activities, cultural activities such as henna, a cultural fashion show, and a talent show. I found that the students that attended had a better sense of the cultures of their fellow students who shared their culture. Through this, the students at my school forged a closer bond and were able to celebrate cultural differences instead of ignoring them. The School of International Service was attempting to do the same with this spectacular event. I know my perspective on many cultures has been expanded. My only hope is that this event expands into the future!
A question I pose is this: Do International Events such as these help to broader the perspective of those attending? If so, how in the future can our School of International Service increase this mission?
Works Cited
American University. "International Student & Scholar Services International Student Emergency Fund (ISEF)." American University Washington D.C. | Schools, Colleges, Undergraduate, Graduate, Admissions, Academics, Degrees, Faculty. American University. Web. 12 Nov. 2011.
Azuma-ryu. "History of Japanese Dance." 日本舞踊 吾妻流. Azuma-ryu. Web. 14 Nov. 2011.
Barrett, Matt. "Souvlaki: The Hamburger of Greece." Athens, Greece Survival Guide. Athens Survival Guide. Web. 11 Nov. 2011.
CliffordAWright.com. "Did You Know: Food History - A History of Eggplant Parmesan." Clifford A. Wright - Cook and Author Specializing in Italy and the Mediterranean. CliffordAWright.com. Web. 12 Nov. 2011.
Cultural Division. "Welcome to the Cultural Division, Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Houston." 歡迎光臨駐休士頓文化組全球網頁. Cultural Division Taipei & Cultural Office in Houston. Web. 12 Nov. 2011.
Davis, Melissa Ray. "Tandoori Chicken Recipe and History." Melissa Ray Davis on HubPages. HubPages. Web. 11 Nov. 2011.
Domenico's. "Fettuccine Alfredo: A History." Connectmidmissouri.com. KRCG CBS 13, 1 Oct. 2010. Web. 11 Nov. 2011.
Drive, Dynamic. "Masala Bhangra Workout." The Masala Bhangra Workout® :: Bhangra and Bollywood Dance Steps Blended into a High-Energy Certified Fitness Program. Masala Dance & Fitness, Inc. Web. 12 Nov. 2011.
Greely, Alexandra. "Finding Pad Thai." Gastronomica: The Journal of Food and Culture 9.1 (2009): 78-82. JStor. University of California Press. Web. 11 Nov. 2011.
Gustso. "Baba Ghanoush - (Greek)." Gustoso. Gustoso.wordpress.com. Web. 11 Nov. 2011.
Indies. "What Is Cassava?" Indies - Cassava Chips. CassavaChips.com. Web. 12 Nov. 2011.
Kelly, Caitlin. "The History of Tahitian Dance | EHow.com." EHow | How to Videos, Articles & More - Discover the Expert in You. | EHow.com. EHow. Web. 12 Nov. 2011.
Maholo.com. "Fettuccine Alfredo." Mahalo.com. Maholo. Web. 11 Nov. 2011.
Maria's Cookbook. "Mandioca Frita." Maria-Brazil.org Home of Brazilian Culture on the Web. Maria-Brazil. Web. 12 Nov. 2011.
Punjab Online. "Bhangra." Punjab Online. Punjab Online. Web. 12 Nov. 2011.
Wailua Bay. "The History of Hawaiian Dance." Wailua Bay. Wailua Bay. Web. 12 Nov. 2011.
What Is Naan. "What Is Naan?" WiseGEEK: Clear Answers for Common Questions. WiseGEEK. Web. 12 Nov. 2011.
To answer your question, if your paper serves as evidence, then event such as these most certainly do broaden our perspectives. I would say that as a result of this dinner, you most certainly have gained extensive knowledge of the culture behind each country's food.
ReplyDeleteAlso, upon reading your paper, something my Cuban-American Spanish professor told the class came to mind. He once said to us: "One of the most powerful ways the government controls the people is through their stomachs. If they have power over when people get fed, they stop worrying about freedom of speech, freedom of press, etc, and just worry about when they are going to eat." How might this idea affect the history behind the cuisine of a culture?
Very fun! I was sick and sadly unable to go. I was wondering how this event has affected the way that you approached diversity. For me, when attending events such as these, I always leave with a new appreciation for or understanding of something? Did you feel this way?
ReplyDeleteJonathan,
ReplyDeleteAmusing paper and I was quite hungry after I was done reading. In the last section of your paper, you mention the aims of hosting such an even and how it is intended to raise cultural awareness. We discussed something similar in my Cross-Cultural Communication class a few weeks ago, about how only viewing certain aspects of a culture can contribute to misunderstandings in the long run. While food, dance, and dress may be the obvious signs of a certain culture, these only scratch the surface. Places such as Epcot idealize foreign countries and skip over the unsavory parts of another location’s culture. Do you think that such events, while scratching the surface of a culture, should do more to give a broader picture of a foreign country? Or would a more detailed, less cheery picture of another country only be a detriment to people wanting to experience other cultures?
Aurora, the idea of controlling people through their stomachs is an interesting idea indeed. The promotion of certain types of food at certain times may have caused individuals to pay less attention to what is happening in their government and enjoy what they are putting in their stomachs. During the Depression, our government was in charge of food dispersion. During that period, most people were more worried about what they were going to eat the next day than what was happening in Washington, my grandmother explained to me once.
ReplyDeleteHlewis, I definitely left with a better understanding of Greek culture. My mother loves Greek food, but I've never tried Greek myself. After trying Greek at this event, I am definitely going to go to a Greek restaurant with my family over Winter Break!
Rebecca, I would agree that international events need to paint a bigger picture of a country. But, starting with more than just food, dance, and dress can cause a bad impression of a country from the "get go." The aim should be to introduce people to other cultures through events such as these, and then follow up with events exploring all aspects of a culture, even the ugly parts. That way, easing someone into understanding the culture allows them to understand it and not have a bad opinion of it.