A Reflection

I feel as though a reflection is necessary. My ‘Anthropology of Food’ class opened up my eyes to an entire world of food and the issues that come with it. Food is not just about what you put into your mouth when you’re hungry, instead, it is what fuels the nation. I never understood the issues of food until my one-month course. I was clueless when it came to the monopolies that are destroying families, cattle farms, guerrilla gardens, local markets, dumpster diving and so much more that comes with something I take for granted everyday.

The course opened up with Ruth Ozeki’s “All Over Creation” which reminded me of the 1960’s and 70’s when hippies rebelled against the man and tried to end the corruption of a nation. I realize now what I can do to fight the system and I intend on choosing organic food whenever possible, finding alternative fuels for a more eco friendly car, and embracing all types of people to help fight a flawed food system. The characters in the book were so believable, and it’s easy to see them in everyday life. The organic eaters that fight against the corporate life style of a constant moving world, the older generation that remain unaware of what is going on, the children growing up in an food educated home, the farmers just trying to make a living and those who know the issues and refuse to change. The book really showed how it’s hard for an entire group of people to change a system if they don’t feel it is an immediate life threatening issue.

“The Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan was a more difficult read because it just put the gruesome facts out there. As a non red-meat eater, I will admit that it was difficult reading about the cattle farms. However, how the animals that billons of people choose to eat are treated is not as surprising as the corn factor. I find that I am incredibly conscious of which corn products are in the foods I’m eating. I was never even aware before reading this book and taking the course that corn is the food of the world and is feeding everyone and everything. After reading the book and then watching “Future of Food” I felt as though I never wanted to eat corn or corn products again. It’s hard to support such a corrupt system and companies like Monsanto anger me. To eat products from a corporation that takes peoples life savings goes against what I believe in when it comes to the humanity that people need to show each other.

Books like “The Omnivore’s Dilemma,” “All Over Creation,” and movies like “Future of Food” really increased my awareness of the issues that consumers are facing. Unlabeled food products, the lack of organic, non-patented food sources, and the monopoly of power companies. All of the things I studied in my ‘Anthropology of Food’ course opened my eyes to a world of a corrupt system, paid for by a lot of government funding. I have become a more conscious consumer and a pickier eater. I refuse to ruin myself and my beliefs by eating hormone injected and genetically modified foods because I’m too lazy to find ulterior options. I strongly encourage others to take a more proactive step in finding out what they’re putting inside their bodies.