# data[].attributes.body
I am from the densely populated city of the west coast of India.
From the sea side the capital of Maharashtra.
I am from my family.
From the caring, cherishing, loving, and supporting family.
I am from "put yourself in their shoes" to "do what makes you happy" to live life to fullest.
From the hardworking, helpful, kind, sweet, and sometimes sassy.
I am from spicy, tangy, sweet, and plant-based eaters.
From the masala family.
I am me.

# data[].attributes.body
Going to The Colored Girls Museum was an amazing experience it is a museum that I would recommend everyone to go see. Being in that museum, every little artifact felt like it belonged there and learning about the women of African American made me want to learn about them even more.

# data[].attributes.body
There is one specific area in the room that stood out the most to me which is the first room that we were welcomed into by Mrs. DuBois. Furthermore, it’s the two walls that really caught my eye quickly something that I vividly remember still. One side of the wall is covered with a lot of pictures for example, women in different lifestyles with a child’s picture on the wall too. The opposite side is also covered with pictures but with family and past memories where both are walls are interpreted differently. Moreover, the side with a lot of pictures is the blue shade more like a dark shade of blue where the pictures just stand out amazingly. The other side is the lighter color I think it is a white wall where the picture also stands out but in a smoothing way. Both of the sides are truly phenomenal because each of the side sends out a different vibe and message which is something, I did not think that can happen until I visited The Colored Girls’ Museum. From my perspective, I feel like the purpose of having a darker shade of wall is that it makes its’ viewers to stand there and analyze it thoroughly.
It is something due to the wall I suddenly stop there took a step behind to look at the big picture and interpret it all. Moreover, it made me then to step a little closer to look closely from left to right every picture to put it altogether in a big picture. The color made it a lot easier because it made feel like it was telling me something which is to rethink my thoughts about women where these pictures are put on the wall in memory of the lost women and children of African American diaspora. At first, my interpretation was that women are led down due to their race, ethnicity, culture and much more but it was much deeper than I thought which I am thankful to learn about. It talks about the history where nobody knows about these women who are they, what are their lifestyle, what are their jobs, etc.…. it is a blank canvas.
These are pictures are put onto to the wall to remind us about them that they are regular women who are ordinary like every one of us and we need to find them. There needs to be an action taken in bringing more awareness towards this topic. Another example is the pressure of having to look exotic due to their ethnicity or face features like the picture of a woman looking sideways with a black headband on that has pearls on them. The makeup is also minimalistic, it is a black and white photo and it highlights her beauty, facial features her jawline basically, the whole picture makes her look really exotic. At one-point African American women where told to completely change themselves to fit the white beauty standards to blend in. Moreover, it is now changed to embracing your own culture which is confusing due to the constant changes in beauty where it is being played with in order to be considered “fit in” into the society beauty standards.

The other side of the wall has the pictures of the artist’s childhood as well as here’s family that takes it back way back. There is one picture that at the bottom of her mother which I think really is cool that it was kept because if you look at it shows how times have changed. It shows the difference in generations where at first a picture was difficult to take vs. nowadays it is so easy. Furthermore, the picture of her mother really struck out to me for one she looks similar to her mother and second is the fact that being able to have a picture taken is expensive in those days. One thing that picture shows is that women where not allowed given the liberty to act freely because the pose of her mother is so straightforward and she is not even smiling. The smiling part is sort of misleading due to its’ correlation to personality where some people are shy but than it also shows that women were taught that you have to be shy and be gentler. It connects with history of her descendants where her mother was Latina and father was African American hence the birth of her ethnicity. Moreover, it takes her to down to her roots of who she is for example, the reason for her exotic features, hair, values, and much more. Other pictures were of her and her sister which shows the deep connection between both of them with the resemblance to each other. The color of that wall was lighter which also made me stop and look deeply in order to analyze it more. Furthermore, it did send out a message to me about family and the connection to one’s roots. It made me think of pictures of my family like parents when they were young and my resemblance to them. It made me want to go back to connect to my roots.

Both of the artifacts connect to the major topic of this class which is history. Because without these pictures there would pieces left behind, forgotten, and misinterpreted about major events. Pictures are way of emphasizing the fact of rechecking within ourselves, roots, tradition, ethnicity, etc.… History is the past the main key that drives this world to be in a proper form in order to be successful for example or not make the same mistake once again. The book that we are reading in class which is The Cooking Gene by Michael W. Twitty the author talks about food as a gateway to connecting to his roots in the book he references to museum in Alabama which has all pictures/tributes to successful white men but not the African Americans or the Native Americans. It is missing part of the story that needs to be known a lot more because they are part of the story too. Similar to this, is the picture of the artist’s mother that made her understand her descendant with the resemblances to the culture and to embrace it also the fact that her mother belonged to a high social status due to being able to have a pictured taken. Furthermore, the pictures on the dark blue wall shows the fact that all of the women are part of the history too they need to be out into the public. I feel like without pictures we would not be able to make it this far in life because pictures serve as proof of the bad and good history that all times need to reiterate. It gives all of us a reminder of the injustice on minorities, deaths, wars, events etc.… that do not need to happen once again. Also, I feel like pictures are significant because they not only take you back to your childhood but also the happy, sad, and many more memories which are needed for us to re-evaluate ourselves. Plus, a picture can either strengthen or weaken a person depending on how it is interpreted because sometimes it can fire someone up or calm someone down. Pictures depending on each individual’s interpretation it can completely change a person’s perception of life.

# data[].attributes.body
1.Something that I would find as a discomfort is the environment their way of living. In the south, it is little more conservative so that type of environment would be discomforting for me. For example, I grew in the city where it is more liberal in India but going to my parent's hometown it is a little different where it bit more of conservative culture wise.
2. The first quote for me I can connect with more because I grew in a household where it is extremely liberal. For example, my parents encourage us to have the choice to wear whatever we want and also to study as much I want. But because that is my bubble I never learned what was outside my bubble such as going back to the hometown of my parents. There people did not give their children more specifically girls choice to do whatever they want or study more because at the end it was like they should be married by this age which has changed a little bit but not much. Furthermore, going out of my bubble this year where I lived in my parent's hometown I was able to learn more about my culture. My parents taught me a lot about the Gujarati culture but it was different than the actually due because it was their way to give their girls more opportunity. My bubble was a lot more modern but looking at bubbles that some parents build for their children is different which made me grateful and thankful to my parents for giving the bubble they gave me. Also, when I did looked outside of my bubble I learned different perspectives within my culture and also I should be more open-minded about different perspectives. Moreover I was able to learn about more about my parents identity too because it choose something different from others which was amazing for me.

# data[].attributes.headline
Was this a "Southern Discomfort" trip? In what ways? How was it different than your expectations? 

# data[].attributes.subject
Was this a "Southern Discomfort" trip? In what ways? How was it different than your expectations? 

# data[].attributes.body
This trip for me was not a "Southern Discomfort" trip at all because from my expectations it was completely opposite. Going down South I thought that environment would be little more conservative but in reality I did not feel that at all. The people were very friendly like almost every person would smile at you or talk to you even though you just walk passed by them. For example, I was waiting to use the bathroom the girl who came after me we both started having a conversation. It was pretty cool to see how she did think about anything and started talking to me. Other than that I had not many expectations except for the conservative part of the culture which was it. In all, it was really nice down there were everyone was welcoming because I do not know how these two ladies were able to figure out that we were new to the city. We all were crossing the street and they were crossing the street from the opposite side and they said "Hello welcome to the city". I want to know how they were able to figure it out but at the end it was an amazing experience.

# data[].attributes.body
Day 1 - Atlanta, Georgia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Day 1 - The Civil and Human Rights Museum in Atlanta, Georgia.

# data[].attributes.body
Tuskegee University, Alabama

# data[].attributes.body
The Legacy Museum and The Lynching Memorial

# data[].attributes.body
Urban Farming and 16st Baptist Church

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Day 4 - Urban Farming and the 16st Baptist Church in Birmingham

# data[].attributes.body
The person for me that represents freedom is Hasan Minhaj. He is a comedian, actor, write, political commentator, host, and producer where he has his own platform on Netflix. When I see him I feel like he is representation of freedom because coming from a minority perspective Asians' specifically Indian people do not have the platform to put their views out there. For example, there are not many Indian people who follow their dreams and do out of their way to achieve their goals but he did that. He also does not care about anything he truly speaks from his beliefs such as he made comments about Indian Elections and talked about Saudi Arabia where his show especially that episode was taken out. He represents freedom of speech where he freely speaks his mind through the opportunity he seized of leaving The Daily Show with Trevor Noah to having his own show. I also feel like it takes about of guts to come out into the public and speaking their own mind when you are not White but a person of color. For me I really love his show Patriot Act where it not only comedy but educational both in one which is fun and plus you can tell you it is not from a bias perspective. All of his evidence as well as the way he talks it is to inform people so they can decide which if it is right or wrong. At the end, he just wants to inform his audience about various issues in the world not just in the U.S.

# data[].attributes.body
"Was it just for show or would its tail feathers have been used to make a punkah fan, operated by a slave, to cool the dinning table at meals?" (Tiwtty, Pg103). For me, one of the fantasying thing I learned more like a fact from the early chapters in this book is the use of word "punkah" and how it was used here in the U.S. I was completely shocked to learn that for one I never thought people would use the word punhak a Hindi word to describe fan. Another thing, is the use of peacock feathers fan (punkah) because this in Indian culture represents royalty, power, and prestige which links to how enslaved people would fan their masters' during the times of their meal. If we talk about that in Indian mythology perspective from olden times the use of peacock feathers is known for the king, someone who has power, and is almost given the position of god. It really blew my mind because again I was never told about this part of the history where during the times of slavery there was influence of the Indian culture. But it does makes sense that it was due to the Britishers who basically wanted to rule the world that could influenced the use of it. So the interaction of the culture would occur but it was something that never crossed my mind. To me, this quote completely changed my perception of the word punkah because now it also reminds me about the use of it during slavery. I am happy to learn about it because the more knowledge the better it is. The way this quote connects to the class/trip is with the theme of roots and how it is core of our identity because we are from our ancestors who are from origins of some place or a thing. It relates to the roots where the history is written for example, the use of punkah for their master's coming from the Hindu culture of showing loyalty towards their kings in the past. So it all comes into one circle of the origin/roots of who we are because the people who were lower class worked as the person who fans the king in the Indian society similar to the slavery. The African Americans were lower class who did the work of fanning their masters the person higher class. That is one of the point of this class to teach the truth in depth about slavery for example, the social status, opportunities, job, and much more. At the end, it all connects to where we come from has factors of little things that originate from different places where their roots are all different.

# data[].attributes.body
“I listened to the way people talked about their food, the poetry and power of what it meant to them, and I absorbed it as if it were my own.” (Twitty, Pg. 66)
“Growing up, I read cookbooks to feel connection.” (Twitty, Pg.67)

One of the main themes of this book, is roots. Both of these quotes not only perfectly connects with the main theme roots but also makes it easier for the readers to understand. The first quote talks about how the author listened and learned about other people’s stories through their food. It is one of the ways the author was able to learn about different cultures which was through their foods that are significant to every culture which takes it down to one of the bases of our own identity. Another thing is that not only food but also the poetry a form of art similar to food that helps them stay connected with their roots. Moreover, which is similar to food that keeps each and every individual connected to their own roots in life. The first quote sort off connects us to the second one where the author read cookbooks to stay connected to his own culture which emphasizes the idea of food leading into connection of roots. And roots being the main foundation of our life it is something that should not be forgotten in my perspective because it does answer a lot of questions of who we are as people. Furthermore, the author reads the cookbooks to expand his own knowledge as well as lead him to interest in wanting to learn about other people’s cultures. The author wanted to learn about other’s people roots which was paved through the poetry and talks about food.

# data[].attributes.body
Chapter 9

The quote “In common knowledge, we massively underestimate the importance of this one crop to the history of race, food, and power.” (Twitty, Pg142) basically summons the whole beginning of slavery and racial discrimination. In simple terms one crop that each of the civilization had and was able to trade with it to other civilizations completely changed the format of the world. It started with the way of exchanging goods for other goods to goods for human beings which came from the need of power and control which is through having this wealth obtained from this crop. For example, cotton and silk that was exported by India before British colonization seeing that and wealth attached to that Britishers decided to come into the India to do business but ended up taking over the world sub-continent. Similar to the history of slavery where people from Africa were enslaved to come to the U.S. to work on the farms for the cotton which became a even more booming business from the inventions such as the cotton gin etc.…. This quote basically summons up one of the main factors of slavery cotton which not only broke families apart but also continued onto the path of dehumanization. It perfectly puts the whole idea of this class/trip altogether with the idea of the roots/origin the goes into the history of the nation. Furthermore, the part of the history where some parts are left out such as the crop which is cotton the destruction it made onto the human society due to the greed of power, food, and race. The power from the wealth, food which came with the farms besides the cotton, and racism which is race superiority. In all, this one crop cotton really changed the whole world like in other places where led onto to the idea of conquering other nations for more power, wealth, and food. A crop that is so beautiful yet so dangerous.

# data[].attributes.body
From this chapter there is one part of the quote which was powerful for me. The part is “…the money to be made outweighed the value of their freedom.” (Twitty, Pg531) For me reading this part of the quote made feel like this world is so cruel yes there are the good parts but currently what this world has become makes me heartbroken. The main drive for all of this money, the greed of money, and desire for money changes everything in this world. I do like money who does not but than what the money becomes which is seen in olden times and even now seen from many decades that money quickly changes the game. It is sad to see how a paper note that can be torn easily can make a huge difference in life plus the things that it gets the bad parts is really upsetting. One of the main issues the author exactly hits it perfectly by saying how it outweighs their freedom which is exactly true. The money part can take away someone’s freedom and deprive them from opportunities in life. For example, in the US the education till high school is free but than to college it is so expensive which is why some teens drop out of college because they cannot afford the tuition bill with expenses of the books the majority of those teens are minorities. Because of money certain schools in some places have poor quality of education is due to money that they do not get which deprives their students from opportunities in life as well their freedom. Furthermore, if opportunities where given to those students from those places they would actually have the freedom to think outside of their bubble to become a doctor, lawyer, engineer, and much more. The freedom sometimes is taken away from those teens because they have no way to get out from that place to make a better life for themselves. For me, the most crucial freedom you can have is the freedom of being able to choose a pathway of life through own choice of career which is not possible if you are not given the paper note to achieve it. I do understand the policies and regulations that go with the funding with school but instead of spending everything on the military which is crucial too. But there needs to be focus on the education part within certain counties. This quote perfectly connects to theme of social inequality within the class for example, African Americans were meant to kept at bottom as well as other minorities. One way was money where they did not get paid enough or no proper jobs etc.… it was ongoing part from the times of slavery to enough now where some people of color are not given certain jobs. The freedom was taken away due to the money because having these people at the top or same level can ruin their reputation and changes of success. Furthermore, there is system in a way still followed to keep certain people at the bottom.

# data[].attributes.body
“The world itself is a womb and a pot, a cooking pot supported by three stones, precariously hovering, stirred by the great hands of the universe. If the stones work together, the world will always stand; if they do not, everything will fall apart, and the feast will be lost.” (Twitty, Pg416). Reading this quote as I was trying to finish the last chapter made me stop for a second to re-read the quote once again in order to fully understand it. It left me feeling shocked in a way because this quote gave me an answer to my question “What is the meaning of this world we live in?” I always tired and was trying to find the answer more like the meaning of this world we live in it is quite complicated to put into a conclusion that is simple but effective. By reading this book especially, reading this quote made me feel like it all makes sense that this world is actually a womb and cooking pot where there are interactions from all around the world/from all places in this planet. Furthermore, it is right that if we as people the stones do not work together then the food will not cook or will not be made which is due to the mentality of being better than the other, discrimination, social inequality etc.… Our main purpose in this life to keep the human race going not to kill each other it is to keep this planet alive through all of us working together but this purpose is lost somewhere. It does make sense that no one has officially said that it should be this way but we as people have come far in many ways such as technology and many more things. We all as humans have contributed to being of this world in one way or other which is done in good or bad way but at the end, we all came this far so instead of fighting there should more effort towards understanding each other. The author is correct about the feast being lost if we do not work together to keep this cooking pot going. Sometimes we have to let go of our “I” and put “We” in first place for the humanity that is almost every person is aware off. Also, humans are core of this universe so if we are not willing to put in our individual efforts then there should not be any complains about any failures within this universe. The way this quote connects to this class/trip lies within the general theme of this class which is learning and talking about the social issues in the U.S. Within the class we not only learn about the issues in depth such as names how they do play in your life, mass incarceration with the correlation of minorities are more likely to be convicted than a white person etc.. but also how to open broaden our mindsets in those perspectives. The class has taught me how broaden my viewpoints/perspectives of this world where you have to look more like fully understand both sides and then proceed with your viewpoint. For example, the stones working together that applies to this class is spreading the awareness about issues to work altogether to bring a change. Another one is that the idea that we all should listen to each other first and then move forward with your own ideas plus being accepting towards bringing a change in your own viewpoints. It all goes in full circle of getting outside of our own biases into expanding our mindsets.

# data[].attributes.body
I want to take this moment to thank all the professors and all of my amazing peers. I am really happy that I got the opportunity to get on this trip where I am so thankful for it because it changed me a lot. It was a transformation for me and I am so grateful and thank you for this trip because it was so amazing.