Finneran: My Cultural Appropriations
Email to a friend
Permalink
Friday, April 07, 2017
Tom Finneran, GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™
It’s hard to keep up with the various idiocies of our age.
I suppose a vivid imagination helps the multitude of fools who see America as a cauldron of bigotry and hate. That, and an unearned but very vocal righteousness seems to be the fuel of the fools.
Take the charge of “cultural appropriation”, wielded as an accusation and a demand that certain races and ethnicities stop ripping off “identities” associated with other races and ethnicities. That such accusations and demands come from the same crowd that conveniently embraces diversity when it suits their purposes puts the entire matter of “cultural appropriation” into bizarro land. Silly ol’ me—all along I thought that listening to and learning from neighbors, colleagues, and acquaintances of other regions and races was the gold standard of social harmony. If imitation is the highest form of flattery, then my many instances of “cultural appropriation” are tributes to the various manners and customs of those races and ethnicities. Am I not allowed to borrow what I see? What I enjoy? What I admire?
The best short answer of course is to tell one’s accusers to drop dead. Those two words are a poetic salute to America’s precious freedoms as well as an embrace of the glories of America’s melting pot.
Here then are two of my many cultural appropriations, happily admitted and proudly practiced on an almost daily basis:
ITALIAN FOOD: I choose it as often as possible. If I was restricted to my own culture--Irish—I’d probably die of starvation. PBS can certainly try to dress up Irish cuisine by way of fresh fish and a host with an Irish brogue. But let’s be honest here, nothing compares to the wonders of Italian food. When was the last time you saw an Irish restaurant? When was the last time your spouse said “let’s go Irish tonight”? On the other hand, Italian restaurants abound, and they flourish all over the world. Watch Nick Stellino or Lidia Bastianich on PBS and you’ll fall in love with their flair and their passion for great food. Nor can the Italians be matched for planning the next meal while still eating the current masterpiece. The Italians are in a league of their own.
SOUL FOOD: I miss Mrs. Jones’ Soul Food Restaurant in Dorchester. George and Cheryl were great cooks and wonderful hosts. And they introduced me to the wonders of chicken, catfish, cornbread, greens, black-eyed peas, and other delights. Delicious.
Over time, Cheryl’s health waned and the restaurant business proved particularly exhausting. She needed George’s attention and care and the restaurant eventually closed its doors. Before closing however, it was a hotbed of cultural appropriation! Sure it had plenty of black patrons, including a couple of New England Patriots. But it had more even more white patrons, people who loved George and Cheryl and the magic they performed in the kitchen. All those white folks were not going to be denied their pleasures. Such are the sins of the appropriators.
The latest rage of the thought and culture police is hoop earrings. I kid you not. Should a white girl wear hoop earrings (or certain lipstick or eyeliner), she is charged with “stealing” from a unique culture, a grave offense in today’s deranged America. Beyond the sheer silliness of claiming clothes and certain fashions as belonging exclusively to a single race or ethnicity, the adult in me asks the questions---Don’t you have anything more important to do? Is there some academic deficiency you might want to address? Do your parents know that you have way too much time on your hands? Do you know why people with functional brains and serious responsibilities don’t take you seriously?
I’m just asking---before I go out to appropriate some more of America’s blessings.
{image_2}Tom Finneran is the former Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, served as the head the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, and was a longstanding radio voice in Boston radio.
Related Slideshow: 25 Things in Worcester You Have to Eat Before You Die
Prev
Next
Frozen Yogurt
Where: WooBerry
Address: 141 Highland Street
WooBerry is locally owned and is the home to 19 delicious flavors of frozen yogurt. This place is the epitome of everything that is right in this world - delicious and low in calories.
WooBerry is one of the few actual places on this list where you can't go wrong with anything you get. Don't forget about the literally millions of toppings to choose from (not literally).
Prev
Next
Ravioli Roma Burger
Where: Brew City
Address: 104 Shrewsbury Street
One of many Shrewsbury Street restuarants on this list, Brew City is known for its great burgers. In our opinion, there's none better than the Ravioli Roma.
The Raviola Roma is a black angus burger with a giant five-cheese filled fried ravioli topped with marinara sauce and provolone cheese.
In a nutshell, it's a lot of great cheese.
Photo Credit: Thao L. - Yelp
Prev
Next
Roast Beef Sandwich
Where: New England Roast Beef
Address: 33 Park Avenue, Worcester
The best roast beef sandwich in Worcester is, of course, found at New England Roast Beef (It should be though, right?).
The "Super Beef" comes loaded with roast beef and on an onion roll.
The beer battered fries and onion rings are nice addition to the sandwich.
Prev
Next
Fried Pickles
Where: Smokestack Urban BBQ
Address: 139 Green Street
When Smokestack opened up, the fried pickles were like an exotic fruit in this city. And let's be honest, that really hasn't changed.
If you think of fried pickles, you think think of Smokestack. And we always think of fried pickles.
Salty and delicious with a special sauce (We tried to make our own at home, it wasn't the same), fried pickles are an absolute must.
Prev
Next
Chinese Food
Where: Dragon Dynasty
Address: 104 Highland Street
Like WooBerry (also on Highland Street, weird) we suggest everything on the Dragon Dynasty menu.
Unless you're allergic to something on the menu, you can't go wrong.
Recommendations: Szechuan Chicken, and Kung Pao Shrimp.
Do your family a favor, pick-up some Chinese food at Dragon Dynasty tonight and let's go crazy and grab some Fro-Yo down the street at WooBerry.
GoLocalWorcester = Your Saturday Night solved.
Image: Amber S. - Yelp
Prev
Next
Donuts
Where: Boston Donuts
Address: 338 Park Avenue
If this were a list of the 25 best things to drink in Worcester before you die, Boston Donuts coffee would be at the top of the list.
But we're talking donuts here. With 40 flavors of donuts made fresh daily, Boston Donuts is above and beyond the best place to get your donut fix in the Woo.
Recommendations: Jelly Sticks, Reese's
Prev
Next
Lobster
Where: The Sole Proprieter
Address: 118 Highland Street
Nothing like following up donuts with some fresh lobster. But that's what we're doing.
The freshest seafood in arguably the best restuarant in the city, the Sole's lobster is the best lobster you can find in Worcester County. Maybe even in the whole state of Massachusetts.
Splurge for the New England Lobster Bake. You can't go wrong.
Prev
Next
Cannoli
Where: Wholly Cannoli
Address: 490 Grafton Street
Sticking lobster in between two desserts is crazy.
A cannoli from Wholly Cannoli = the event of the year...for your mouth.
With 44 cannoli flavors, how can you go wrong?
Prev
Next
Meatball Sandwich
Where: Vincent's
Address: 49 Suffolk Street
Vincent's Meatball Sandwich is the stuff of legend. It's just about the only thing Vincent's serves, but when you try one, you won't want anything else.
There's no website, but here are the hours in case you have a hankering.
Monday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.- 2 a.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Prev
Next
Italian Sandwich
Where: Regatta Deli
Address: 28 Lake Avenue
This sandwich is absolutely loaded with meat on delicous Italian bread.
It's enormous and it's only $5.00.
Genoa Salami, Imported Ham, Provolone Cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and Regatta's dressing on their famous half loaf Italian bread.
A member of GoLocal's 10 Things You Must Do in Worcester Before You Die, we wrote, "A Worcester classic. If you plan on catching the Regatta Races this summer on Lake Quinsigamond, plan on working up an appetite. Lucky for you, right across the street is the Regatta Deli where they serve their famous Regatta Italian grinders."
Prev
Next
Sushi
Where: Baba Sushi
Address: 309 Park Ave, Worcester
The highly acclaimed Baba Restaurant & Sushi Bar has been winning awards for over seven years.
And rightfully so.
Ask anyone in Worcester where you can find the best sushi, and again and again, the answer is always "Baba."
If great Sushi isn’t enough to bring you in for a taste, perhaps you’ll be interested in the weekly Sushi making classes Baba offers every Sunday.
Prev
Next
Meatballs
Where: Parkway Diner
Address: 148 Shrewsbury Street
Parkway's meatballs are what make their sandwiches and entrees perfect. They're homemade and it has been the same recipe for many years now.
The best part? You can get a meatball sandwich for breakfast if you want. Or a meatball omelette.
Prev
Next
Cupcakes
Where: Sweet Restaurant & Bar
Address: 72 Shrewsbury Street
It's everyone's (our) dream come true - a bar filled with cupcakes and desserts.
Everything at Sweet is made from scratch, including it's famous award-winning cupcakes.
Indulge yourself - it is well worth the trip.
Prev
Next
Nachos
Where: The Banner
Address: 112 Green Street
There isn't a bigger serving of nachos in the whole city. The Banner calls these nachos "a mountain" topped with cheese, jalapenos, olives and onions. And they aren't kidding.
Prev
Next
Pizza
Where: The Wonder Bar
Address: 121 Shrewsbury Street
One of GoLocalWorcester's 15 to Watch in 2015, the Wonder Bar re-opened this summer under new ownership and successfully fulfilled the promise that they would keep the same pizza recipe.
The Prizio family now runs the 85-year-old Worcester staple and continue to serve the best pizza in a city filled with great pizza.
Prev
Next
Hot Dogs
Where: Coney Island
Address: 158 Southbridge Street, Worcester
One of the most obvious selections for this list, there's no better way truly experience Worcester than to have your hot dogs smothered in yellow mustard, chili sauce and chopped onions.
Prev
Next
New York Sirloin
Where: 111 Chop House
Address: 111 Shrewsbury Street
The 111's famouse Prime New York sirloin is comes in 8 oz, 14 oz and 20 oz (that's the big boy).
You won't find a better piece of meat in the city. Like the Sole (same owners) with seafood, the Chop House rivals any steak house in the state.
Image: Kevin S. - Yelp
Prev
Next
Egg Rolls
Where: Ho Toy Luau Restaurant
Address: 401 Park Avenue
This place may not look like an exceptional restuarant from the outside because it's a throwback to a better time (probably the 1970s).
They have the single greatest egg roll in the entire city.
As one of our writers put it, "It's unique. It's golden crusted. It's delicious."
Prev
Next
The Ivory Tusk
Where: Flying Rhino
Address: 278 Shrewsbury Street
Served on toasted Italian bread, the Ivory Tusk is Flying Rhino's most famous sandwich. It's chicken cheese steak loaded with caramelized onions and American cheese.
Be ready to bring an appetite because the Tusk is filling...in a good way.
Prev
Next
Guacamole
Where: Mezcal Cantina
Address: 30 Major Taylor Blvd
Mezcal's fresh guac is made to order and this stuff could put on a fake mustache and pose as a full meal. We recommend getting the flight - three different styles of guac with endless chips.
- HOUSE avocado, onion, tomato, lime, cilantro, jalapeño
- CRUNCHY toasted pepitas, smoked almonds, diced jicama, fried corn nuts
- MEDITERRANEAN sun-dried tomato, kalamata olive, feta, fresh herb, garlic olive oil
- THAI ROOSTER dried pineapple, toasted coconut, black beans, fiery Sriracha sauce
- TROPICAL papaya, mango, roasted cashews
- BREAKFAST BURNER bacon, hard cooked egg, bleu cheese, red hot sauce
- BUFFALO CHICKEN grilled chicken, hot sauce, blue cheese, celery and carrot
Prev
Next
Tacos
Where: Sol of Mexico
Address: 538 Pleasant Street
Worcester Fire Fighter John Tangney calls this place "The best kept secret in Worcester."
Great, now everyone knows about it.
Sol of Mexico may seem small on the outside, but once you get in you'll be thoroughly impressed by its extensive menu of authentic Mexican cuisine. It includes many chicken, seafood, beef and veggie plates with all the trimmings and all the styles one should expect. Also try their special Mexican Hot Chocolate and Churros special during the winter months as well as fruit smoothies.
Prev
Next
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Where: Funky Murphy's
Address: 305 Shrewsbury Street
There's plenty of great spinach and artichoke dips in this city (see: The Boynton), but Funky's does something that very few places do - warm pita bread chips.
The dip is fresh and homemade and we are guaranteeing you will like it (not responsible if you don't).
Prev
Next
Lobster Corn Chowder
Where: Bushel N Peck
Address: 643 Chandler Street
The fall is coming, and that means the cool weather, too. However, you can still warm up and enjoy some lobster in the coming months.
"Our original recipe Lobster Corn Chowder has won the competition for best chowder in Blackstone Valley two years running. We serve it at all three of our locations every Friday."- Michael Ashley, Chef/Manager
Prev
Next
Ice Cream
Where: Gibby's Dairy Farm
Address: 50 Sunderland Road
There's no better place in Central Massachusetts to get your ice cream fix than Gibby's in Worcester.
With more than 60 flavors of ice cream, you can't go wrong.
Indulge in several more scoops of the areas best ice cream before summer comes to a close.
Image: Thao L./Yelp
Prev
Next
French Onion Soup
Where: O'Connor's Restaurant
Address: 1160 West Boylston Street
There's plenty to like at O'Connor's and we could've easily put Potato Pizza on this list. However, O'Connor's does something better than everyone else - French Onion Soup.
Much like with the Lobster chowder above, O'Connor's French Onion soup will be a sure-fire hit this fall.
And it's loaded with cheese on top. Which, of course, we love.
Related Articles
Enjoy this post? Share it with others.
Email to a friend
Permalink
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It