Jamie Oliver's 'jerk rice'

[PPPMA]

Jamie Oliver has been accused of cultural appropriation for calling a new product "punchy jerk rice".
The decision to label the microwavable rice "jerk" has been criticised, because the product doesn't contain many of the ingredients traditionally used in a Jamaican jerk marinade.

What we think of this?! As someone of Caribbean descent, who loves jerk, and raised an eyebrow when I looked at the ingredients, I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow... not offended, just baffled!

AIBU to think that if you create something new, you call it something new...?

You can Cure ham
You can't Cure rice

You can jerk meat
You can't jerk rice

@Walkingdeadfangirl For the millionth time that is not the fucking problem here. I'm glad he was 'inspired' by Jerk. Were it not for us the English would probably still be using salt and pepper to 'spice' their chicken but that is not the point.

Gina Yashere on "jerk rice" 😂

www.facebook.com/ginaisfunny/videos/1034032816757429/

www.facebook.com/539471514/posts/10158487874091515/

Hmmm so in Gina Yasheres view because JO has dared to make money out of a food product it’s appropriation, but it wouldn’t be if he shared the profits with Jamaican people? Her words not mine btw.

So if we believe that, it simply comes down to money then...which Slightly undermines the issue in my opinion.

Dorsetdays Yes that is the problem and no it does not undermine the issue. Not even necessarily giving money to the Jamaican community to buy them off for their silence - that is also problematic. The problem is, and I'll write in capitals for those that don't get it:

WHITE PRIVILEGE

So the issue actually isn’t whether or not there’s such a thing as jerk rice or whether JO got the ingredients right or wrong it’s the fact that he’s made money.

Not too sure what white privilege you’re referring to in this case? A person who grew up helping his parents in their local pub, who scraped a couple of GCSEs at school due to his severe dyslexia, worked in a restaurant kitchen on minimum wage and just happened to have a lucky break when he was filmed in the background of a TV programme? In my view the fact that anyone in that situation manages to create a multi million pound business deserves a pat on the back but clearly, in your view, that’s all down to ‘white privilege’...

Okaaayy.

But say Jamie was to give away some of the profits from his manky rice, who would he give them to? And who decides how the money should be shared?

It's ok Gina saying these things, but it's just a rant without any suggested solutions. I would be really interested to hear what she thinks should happen.

I'm on the fence on this one. I started off thinking it categorically isn't CA, and posts like Vladimir's put me on the defensive, because I feel that white people apologising for the sins of their ancestors would be meaningless. But perhaps i'm wrong.

I've not had an easy life, and as my DF did our family tree back to the 1600s and the vast majority of my relatives were listed as 'peasants', I can safely say that there is no white privilege here.

Interesting thread OP, and one that is really making me think.

Yes. Because he fits that narrative.
I don't care what anyone says on the issue but being born white is a privilege from birth regardless of your circumstances.

And also - there's no such thing as jerk rice. I would be fine if Levi Roots made a new-fangled dish named 'Jerk Rice'. But Jamie Oliver is not, and should not be, afforded that right.

So jerk rice IS a thing if Levi Roots makes it but it definitely, 100% isn’t a thing just because JO made it?

Again...okaaayyy

@PerpendicularVincent White people apologising for the sins of their ancestors as you put it would not be meaningless. It would be helpful. It would also be problematic because they also then get to say 'sorry' then prance off back to their white privilege but we have to start somewhere.

I don't wish years of doom and gloom or apologising for a white child not yet born but they are coming into this world already with a degree of privilege that is not afforded to anyone unlike them.

There is a reason why many minorities go out of their way to not be too 'ethnic' or too black for fear of being seen to different amongst their white counterparts. It is mentally and physically exhausting.

Naomi Campbell which is arguably the most successful black British model has had plastic surgery to alter her features to fit 'European' ideals to make her more successful. Tyra Banks in the US did the same.

Black and Indian women use skin lightening products and this is a booming industry particularly in Africa and India.

Japanese and Chinese individuals often seek to have their eyelids lifted as if to fit the European ideal.

Black women are critised for being 'angry' or being 'uppity' all the time.

Black men are hyper-sexualised.

The catalogue is endless.

Mixed race people are fetishised.

So I have no problems in saying that yes - white privilege is a thing regardless of your circumstances.

Jamie Oliver is rich enough and influential enough to do what he wants. What a FUSS.

🙄

So jerk rice IS a thing if Levi Roots makes it but it definitely, 100% isn’t a thing just because JO made it?

YES.

He would be laughed at and criticised but many in the community and outside would only wish his elbow more power.

Vladmirs. And that’s exactly why you can’t take your posts seriously.

Muddled thinking.

Black women are critised for being 'angry' or being 'uppity' all the time

Same as any women.

I don't care what anyone says on the issue but being born white is a privilege from birth regardless of your circumstances

But thats absolute bollocks, isn't it? You know that, so why say it?

You're free to think whatever you like Vladimir, as am I. You've raised some interesting points; many I don't agree with, some I do.

You do keep mentioning the word 'uppity' in relation to black women - I have never heard that used, and would be genuinely interested in examples.

I do disagree though that being white automatically equates to privilege. That's a sweeping judgement about a huge number of people, the vast majority of which you don't know. You don't know their lives or their struggles.

What does uppity mean in this context?

Isn’t it a good thing when white people draw in things from other cultures? Ie Kylie Jenner wearing braids just brings it more mainstream and therefore apparently more acceptable?

Argh, read all the thread. I'm seriously sat firmly on the fence giving myself splinters!
On the one hand, it's a GOOD thing that different cultures try each other cuisines etc/integrate and share etc.
However, on the other hand, can totally see why Jamaicans may be a bit pissed off if jerk rice isn't actually a thing at all and it's a way of marinating meat in spices {think I've got that right, sorry if I haven't!)
You could kind of compare it to someone taking our Yorkshire puddings and deciding they're going to make it out of bread or something. There's always UPROAR if you mess with us Yorkshire people's Yorky puds
Never really thought about white privilege before but the fact that you're born white does kind of give a privilege you're not aware of as you've never been oppressed and never faced racism.
For people to mock or oppress your culture and customs (braids for example) for years and then come and "pinch" some of the bits they deem the best bits for their own to suddenly make fashionable, can see why that would be offensive if for years it's not been seen as acceptable to have.
Same with jerk rice. If there's no such thing, there's no such thing! It'd be like saying marinated fish when it's only been steamed and nothing else.
How is it marinated when you've steamed it? Same thing, no?!
White people saying "fuss about nothing..." well, it will be to you, won't it, as you've never been the oppressed one! Including myself in that sentence.
Food for thought. no pun intended interesting thread and sorry I've rambled on and hope I've made sense--

So basically Vincent you think anyone who is white should self flagellate everyday for the sins of their ancestors. And the people of Jamaican descent should have privileges over everyone else that you perceive white people used to have.

So its really nothing to do with rice, its about a much deeper hatred of Britain?

@rainbowsandsmiles You have understood my point entirely and I entirely agree with your post.

I often look at the giant threads on here about how you should have 'tea and scones' - is it Jam or Cream first and so forth. I often think lucky them.

No, Walking I don't - quite the opposite. I think you may have misread my post or mistaken someone else's post for mine?

I think everyone should be equal. That's it, really.