{"id":287,"date":"2019-03-20T14:51:01","date_gmt":"2019-03-20T14:51:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sluggerpost.com\/?p=287"},"modified":"2024-03-16T13:19:06","modified_gmt":"2024-03-16T13:19:06","slug":"indian-food-is-terrible-tweet-sparks-hot-debate-about-racism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sluggerpost.com\/?p=287","title":{"rendered":"‘Indian food is terrible’ tweet sparks hot debate about racism<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A tweet from a US academic calling Indian food “terrible” has sparked a hot debate about cultural intolerance and racism in international cuisine.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Indian food is terrible and we pretend it isn’t,” said international affairs professor Tom Nichols.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics called his comment a tasteless generalisation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The remark led to a wider discussion of the immigrant experience and how many in the US have experienced racism in relation to food.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Nichols – who teaches at the US Naval War College in Rhode Island – posted his opinion after another Twitter user had asked for “controversial food opinions”.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think people often pretend to like non-American cuisines as a way of showing sophistication. I’m honest enough to say that my mostly Irish taste buds can’t handle whatever it is that is called “Indian” in the US and UK. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may all continue with your outrage now. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics were quick to respond. “Do you not have taste buds?” asked celebrity chef Padma Lakshmi.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Imagine going through life this flavourless,” wrote another commenter.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preet Bharara, a former prosecutor from New York, tweeted: “Tom, I’ll take you to a place. We need to bring the country together. #ButterChickenSummit.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n