Inflexible Identities?

Are we all really that different? Sometimes I have a hard time understanding why so many people choose to only stick to a certain group. I understand wanting to stay within your comfort zone, but does something such as language, the religion you were born into or identify with, or your ethnic background really mean that you don’t have something in common with someone who is different? It seems most people are scared of what they do not understand. It is easy to fear something that you do not know anything about and label and make stereotypes. But what happened to those fearless days when we were little--when we did not see the differences between people? In our minds was there really such a thing as religion, gender, ethnicity, or race at three years old? My mother told me that when I was three I used to walk up to total strangers and ask them if they liked my tights. I probably wouldn’t consider doing that now, but it shows the fearlessness of a child. Children have a lot of wisdom that we often times overlook. Why can’t we be inspired to do the same?

I have had my fair share of awkward moments stepping outside the community and group of people I grew up around. But it has only brought me blessings as I have found like-minded people from all different backgrounds. And what I have realized is how much more I have in common with some people that were raised in totally different circumstances. I will definitely say that food has played an integral role in this, as often these friendships start over a meal. We have all experienced joy, pain, heartbreak, love, and hate. Our differences should not stop us from realizing that at the core we are more alike than different.

So many international conflicts have started over how people identify themselves within a group while labeling another group with negative traits. Even those who had formerly been living peacefully together have become deadly enemies.

As many of us come from different backgrounds what responsibility do we have to other groups or individuals who identify differently? Because physical or mental borders separate us from another does that mean we still do not have responsibility to them?

In honor of moving beyond our comfort zone and breaking borders, let us eat comfort food, something simple and sweet. I have shared this recipe with many people it is a Brasilian Passion Fruit Mousse (recipe at the bottom).

DOCUMENTARY:

The Dark Side of Chocolate

DO YOU EAT CHOCOLATE?? 

Synopsis: A team of journalists investigate how human trafficking and child labor in the Ivory Coast fuels the worldwide chocolate industry. The crew interview both proponents and opponents of these alleged practices, and use hidden camera techniques to delve into the gritty world of cocoa plantations. Written by Andrew McGraw-Herdeg

  

Passion Fruit Mousse or Mousse de Maracuja

 Ingredients

• 1 cup (250 ml.) whipping cream
• 1 cup (250 ml.) sweetened-condensed milk
• 1/2 cup (125 ml.) frozen passion fruit juice concentrate
• (optional) one fresh passion fruit

Instructions

Put all the ingredients in a blender, and blend at low speed until the liquid becomes light at fluffy. Pour the mixture into a serving bowl, or individual dessert dishes. If fresh passion fruit is available, spread a small amount of pulp, including seeds on top of the mixture. Chill for at least 2 hours prior to serving. Serves 4. 

(recipe from http://flavorsofbrazil.blogspot.com/2009/10/recipe-passion-fruit-mousse-mousse-de.html)