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February 26, 2016 Desert Wings 7
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Food for the ‘soul’ on the menu at luncheon

Team Edwards celebrated African Air Force photograph by Rebecca Amber
American History Month with a soul food
tasting Feb. 18 at the Airman and Family Team Edwards celebrated African American History Month with a soul food tasting Feb. 18 at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. The
Readiness Center. The tables were lined lunch event was one of several events put on at Edwards for African American History Month.
with collard greens, macaroni and cheese,
fried chicken and more.

The event’s organizers, Staff Sgt.
Tarianna Green, and Tech. Sgt. Kenneth
Bracely, were careful to distinguish that
the foods served that day were not “south-
ern cooking.” According to Bracely,
southern cooking derived from soul food,
the roots of which date back to the days of
slavery in the United States.

The slaves at that time would take left
overs from their owner’s meal to create
their own meal and a time of fellowship.

“When our ancestors would cook they
would use pain, struggle, suffering, love
and spiritual blessing for the herbs and
spices,” said Bracely. “A cook would
pour their soul into providing a great meal
praying spiritual blessing over it.”

Over time, the tradition continued and
families would gather for a large meal
once a week and to enjoy each other.

Read more about African American
History Month at www.africanamerican-
historymonth.gov/.

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