Black Sunday Dinner
The South is a great place to be, especially when your family is from the area and has mastered the art of soul food. Having a family in Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana trips to the South never disappoint. The cultural aura of the Black Sunday Dinner is prominent in these areas, and it is clear that this is an integral part of the African American household. It starts directly after church; moms, aunties, and grandma gather in the kitchen to begin preparing for the feast that will come later. Collard greens, ham hocks, dressing, macaroni, sweet potatoes, and peach cobbler are just but a few of the dishes that will likely bless the dinner table. Sunday dinners are unique because they are specifically reserved for family time. This is a tradition among black families, and it has been practiced generation after generation.
Even though there is no specific menu for Sunday dinner, the meal is shared among the family, extended family, and even friends with great joy and happiness. The host of the family knows that this event will last well into the evening but understands the importance of family, friends, and love. Followed by dinner will be dessert, drinks, card games, and good laughs. From around 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., the group focuses on bonding, having a great time, and eating well. Even though the dishes are what technically “make” Sunday dinner, the importance of who is there, and the conversations and good times that are had are more important.
Before dinner, there are not so many activities going on in the family. The older adults watch television and talk about anything that comes up, ranging from a recap of the sermon session, politics, and any other thing that comes up. Children, on the other hand, spend their time playing around the dining room, anxiously waiting for dinner to be served. When dinner is ready, everyone assembles at the dining table, with each observing a specific sitting arrangement. Guests are given a seat on the left side of the host.
Before taking dinner, a short prayer of thanksgiving is offered by any member of the family. Anyone can pray before dinner, and most families observe turn-taking so that each family member has an opportunity to pray. This is not just done for the Sunday dinner but every other important meal. Allowing every member of the family to pray is also one way of teaching the young ones how to be thankful. Since Sunday dinner is a valuable family time, observing table manners is an integral part of the meal. Texting or concentrating on the phone during family dinner is uncalled for, and parents make sure that this is observed throughout the entire time. Phones are a distraction, and since children learn from what they see, the older adults want to set the right example for their kids.
A variety of meals can be served for Sunday dinner. Most of them are recipes that have their origins from the North, that were later introduced in the Southern culture during the migration. Some of them include chitterlings, black-eyed peas, pig’s feet, and okra. However, with the dietary changes that came to take place years later, the recipes were changed to accommodate other groups of people, especially those who could not use a lot of fats but craved for flavors. The contemporary influence on the food cannot be ignored too. Various families have chicken as their favorite meal, which can be accompanied by different combinations, including roasted potatoes and mushroom grits. Regardless of the type of meal offered, Sunday dinners are exceptional and are used to forge family relationships and commitments.
During this particular moment, a lot of stories resurface. They talk about precious moments and family achievements, and once in a while, they talk about family gossips, which is everyone’s favorite. Family members also express their feelings of gratitude and love, which binds them as a family. Since African Americans still encounter marginalization at their workplaces, Sunday dinner time provides them with an opportunity to talk about the various challenges and obstacles they face at the workplace, and how they can overcome them. It serves as an excellent opportunity to introduce your fiance’ to family members, laugh and share old memories.
Sunday dinners take time to be prepared. Most things are always made by Sunday morning before going to church, including the dessert. Even though one could be tempted to run their fingers along the edge of frosted cake or chocolate due to curiosity, it would not be worth the consequences. It is only after the church service that individuals have the chance to taste the fruits of the family labor, a moment that is often waited for anxiously. The Sunday dinner tradition dates many centuries ago when African Americans migrated to the North to get well-paying jobs. They brought their best recipes with them that would see them enjoy their favorite meals in the new places of settlement. These and many other stories are often shared at the dinner table, with some of them dating back to the days of slavery. In an extended family, senior family members, especially grandparents, tell these stories as they witnessed or were told by their predecessors.
The first Sunday dinner of every month is commonly referred to as the Communion Sunday, and this is when most families get to invite friends for dinner. Most households are filled up during this occasion because it is dedicated to sharing with other people other than family. It has become a culture that is integrated into African American households, and it is as unique to them as Sunday family dinner. It is believed that such events strengthen their identity as a community that shares a common history. To those that are lucky to host more than two families, the house is often filled up, and individuals both young and old, interact with each other and share memories.
When family and friends meet for Sunday dinner, roles are shared among individuals, who also bring in foodstuff. One family friend could come with potato salad others bring baked chicken and anything that they could find. The first Sundays are especially eventful because they involve several fun-time activities, including grilling and team-building activities. Since it may take time to prepare dinner, it requires division of labor whereby family members chip in to help in the entire preparation process. However, the delegation of duties and responsibilities is divided along gender lines whereby young girls accompany their mothers in the kitchen. At the same time, boys help their fathers prepare for other things such as grilling and making desserts. There are no specific rules for this matter in which boys are prohibited from indulging in kitchen affairs because they can only believe that women best conduct these duties. It is usually a perfect day to showcase family teamwork.
The division of labor based on gender informs the attitudes of African Americans on household labor. For instance, sons spend more time with their fathers because they are made to believe it is the right thing to do. Young girls and women, on the other hand, are more inclined to household chores, especially the actual preparation of dinner. They are also responsible for serving the meal to the guests and the rest of the family. It is a way of passing on roles to the younger generation. Table etiquette in a typically African American family requires that individuals do not rush their meals and leave the rest of the members on the table. However, this does not bar individuals from excusing themselves when pressed in any way. This is one way of ensuring that the family spends quality time together with minimum interruptions. I noticed that those who finished their dinner earlier hang around for a while, entertaining the rest as they finish up their meals. The same way, tables are not cleared until each person has finished eating. This is done to avoid rushing guests and other members who want to take their time. It would also make them slightly uncomfortable. Once mealtime is over, everyone is at liberty to indulge in other activities such as mobile phones, watching TV, and any other business.
Sunday dinner in African American communities is unique as it is dedicated to family time and bonding. During this time, families get together and share a moment of joy and love. Table manners and eating etiquette are highly encouraged, as parents want to ensure that children are brought up in the right manner. Black Sunday dinners are not only an important catch-up meal but are also a great opportunity to share ideas and stories. In one way, Sunday dinner fortifies the unity of black families and nourishes the spirit and the soul. It keeps the family together, they may argue and disagree, but the dinner ensures that the family bonds and stays together from one generation to another.