So, I was researching, look for articles on Taqueria Coatzingo, and I stumbled upon a very odd titled website post by the Gothamist called: “Ethnic Eating Adventures: Taqueria Coatzingo In Jackson Heights.” I would understand if it was called “Eating Adventures:…” but the “ethnic” part is quite alarming. I looked up ethnic, and it means, a subgroup of a country or cultural tradition, but the way it is used in this blog is very different– it used to mean “other” or “non-white.” In support, I looked through the “Ethnic Eating Adventures” post series and most are about food from non-white cultures. Food that strays away from hot dogs and hamburgers should not be called ethnic, it’s simply food from another country. It is unfortunate because once a group of people is labeled as different, their food is labeled different also. And society continues to pick and choose who gets to be labeled as “different”. For example, when do you think of Italian (non-American) food as different, or is it normal? Is the food of Taqueria Coatzingo (non-American), different or normal? If your answers vary drastically based on what is accepted, then that says a lot about how society is slow to accept acceptance.
References:
“Ethnic.” Dictionary.com, Dictionary.com, http://www.dictionary.com/browse/ethnic.
Feldmar, Jamie. “Ethnic Eating Adventures: Taqueria Coatzingo In Jackson Heights.” Gothamist, Gothamist, 10 Aug. 2011, gothamist.com/food/ethnic-eating-adventures-taqueria-coatzingo-in-jackson-heights.
Authentic Taqueria Only 
Ugh, yeah, that term “ethnic food” is loaded, and it’s disappointing to see that, because what it basically signals is, “come on down, try this food, take a photo, and leave.” What it overlooks is that people live in that neighborhood, work there, build families. It’s not a place to parachute in, spend your money, and leave. Rather, one can visit, of course, but should do so respectfully, for the people there, their cultures, and their foods. I’m glad you picked up on that. That’s a clue to me that the taco literacy is working!
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