Cornbread

Summary

The webpage content discusses the cultural significance of cornbread, particularly within African American cuisine and experience, while also touching upon its Native American origins, and references to cornbread in various forms of art and media.

Abstract

Cornbread is presented as a staple dish deeply rooted in African American culture, with its origins tracing back to Native American agricultural practices. The article emphasizes the dish's versatility and its ability to complement a variety of meals, as well as its symbolic representation of love, family, and community within the African American experience. It also highlights the personal connection the author has with cornbread, recalling childhood memories and preferences for traditional preparation methods. The piece further acknowledges the influence of African Americans on the dish and draws parallels between cornbread and soulful music in Black America. Additionally, the text references cultural artifacts such as the movie "Cornbread, Earl, and Me," a song from the film, the Lee Morgan jazz album titled "Cornbread," and the tragic story of Morgan's untimely death. The author expresses a strong preference for cornbread made from scratch using classic ingredients and an iron pot, criticizing overly sweet versions and those lacking heart.

Opinions

The author believes that cornbread, despite its Native American origins, has been significantly shaped by African American culinary traditions.
Cornbread is seen as more than just food; it represents love, family, and the resilience of the African American community.
The author has a personal aversion to sugary cornbread, advocating for a more traditional, savory approach to its preparation.
There is a critique of store-bought cornbread mixes, with the author suggesting they should only be used as a last resort.
The author holds the preparation of cornbread in an iron pot in high regard, considering it the authentic method of cooking the dish.
The article conveys a sense of loss and injustice regarding the death of jazz musician Lee Morgan, linking it to the broader theme of violence against Black men in America.
The author implicitly values cultural authenticity and the preservation of traditional recipes, as evidenced by the emphasis on making cornbread "the right way."

What is the meaning of this universal cuisine?

Cast iron skillet cornbread with bacon, jalapeno, and onion (Creative Commons — Zankopedia)

“But most of the corn my family ate came in the form of cornbread and grits after the ears had been shucked, shelled, and stored in the crib.”

— jimmye hillman

Some nights, it is just collard greens and cornbread. Or a salad, and cornbread. Or some black-eyed peas and cornbread. I even like to wake up for breakfast and if I have some leftover, it is cornbread. And hot or cold tea.

Like sweet potato pie, cornbread to me is the African American experience. I know it has Native American origins but African Americans have put their stamp on it too. Cornbread is so associated with my childhood and growing up, I can hardly imagine my life without either of them.

Even during periods of my life when I was vegetarian strictly, I still consumed both of them but especially cornbread. Cornbread, and corn, is the product of thousands of years of agricultural cultivation in the Americas, according to Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. It is no accident that it is such a big deal. African Americans, like most Americans, picked up the dish, put their spin on it, and it is like music in Black America. Soulful.

Cornbread, Earl, and Me. The movie.

Jamaal Wilkes as “Cornbread.” The basketball player. If you saw this, you know. A heartbreaker of a movie. Police violence on unarmed Black men.

Here is even a great song made for the film. No accident there are actually people in African American folklore named Cornbread.

The Lee Morgan album. “Cornbread.” Give it a listen. A classic of the bebop era.

But damn. Another Black man was shot to death. Lee Morgan’s lady put him down. He was tipping out on her and she put bullets in him. Lee Morgan many agree was the trumpet player of his generation had he not been killed.

Herbert Behrens / Anefo — Nationaal Archief (Creative Commons) — Lee Morgan, 1959

Mostly though, cornbread is what I love. It is love. Family. Faith in my people. Humanity.

If the cornbread is made the right way, the meal is likely going to be good. I remember buying some from some market in Battle Creek, Michigan and there was so much sugar in the cornbread, it made me think of a Hostess Twinkie. Hold the sugar, bakers. Hold the sugar.

I bought some from Whole Foods once too (when I still shopped there before Jeff Bezos bought the chain). Their cornbread was as well pretty disgusting. It didn’t taste like the baker put their heart and soul into it.

Cornbread, to me, is made in an iron pot on top of fire (stove). My mother, on Fridays, would fry fish and make her cornbread, from scratch, in an iron pot. That is how I have always preferred it. And that sugar? Hold off on it. If that is your preference, go for it. Not me.

Here are the classic ingredients for your classic cornbread. There are so many varieties on how to make it, I will leave it to the reader. But I better see that iron pot if I ever come by your house and see how you make it. And don’t let me see a Jiffy Cornbread Box either in your house. Use that as a last-minute, desperate situation cornbread solution. Otherwise, put in that work and get it right.

Cornbread

What is the meaning of this universal cuisine?

Ingredients

‘Night Of The Kings’

(poem inspired by the film — night of the kings)

Since 1619…

Margaret Walker’s Legendary Poem Was Before Its Time