Twenty-eighth International Conference on Learning

Abstract

As forced mass migration continues to proliferate in the twenty-first century, many countries must develop a new “diasporic literacy” unfamiliar to them in the past. Still, while the circumstances of resettlement may vary widely among war/genocide refugees, slaves, political dissidents, or religious targets, all must find a way to balance a pride in their original homelands with adapting and assimilating into new communities. One way of understanding and embracing this cultural conundrum is through food. Food is not only life-giving; it provides identity, contentment and cultural continuity as a link to the past and pathway to future generations. Moreover, it is a significant lens to historically contextualize cultures that have been forced to disperse at a moment’s notice, with little more than memories (and perhaps recipes) from their homelands to carry with them. It also enriches and broadens the worldview within each nation that receives them. A sample syllabus provides an expanded lexicon to better identify and describe specific diasporic groups (whether voluntary or not) as well as concrete historical examples of the connection between food culture and resettlement, as we continue to understand this precious, dynamic population and its impact on our world.