Blog Post 4

WRIT 1133 Blog Post 4

            O’Donnell focuses his study on the values placed on food in china, specifically the Shenzhen people. He writes that these people are “college-educated immigrants who moved from work units in other Chinese cities to build the city and develop its industrial manufacturing sector.” People were working so hard that food became something of a sacrifice, more of a necessity than anything, and they placed the majority of their attention on their work. Many of these people have a group mentality so their individual needs and desires are usually set aside. An example is of a woman who worked in the fields because it was “best for the state.” She gave up a better lifestyle all around, including dining, to serve (or so she thinks) her country. This is a very interesting view into different cultures’ values placed on food and life.

            Cate’s piece focuses on the prison system and the food the inmates make that they call “spread.” Since these individuals are in prison they really have no way of living by their food values in terms of a variety of selection, so inmates became more creative. They would combine numerous different types of ordinary food to make a mixed dish that tasted more unique and different. This practice not only reflects upon individuals in prisons, but it also reflects the American food culture of experimentation with different foods.

            O’Donnell and Cate’s pieces are particularly different in terms of the studied cultures’ values towards food. Where the Chinese were restricting themselves and leading lives for the sake of others, the inmates who were forcibly put into a heavily restricted lifestyle became creative with eating. In my opinion this is due to differing cultures that arise from socio-economic as well as political standings of each country.

            I definitely found spread to be very fascinating. I had never heard of this action done by inmates before and I found it curiously similar to how I eat every day- not that I mix random foods together into a mosh of substance, but I enjoy trying new things and eating different foods.