Hainanese chicken rice is a celebrated Singaporean boiled chicken and rice dish, and Ted Ross sees it as a symbol of the struggle between minorities in the US and cultural appropriation. Chicken rice isn’t alone in this regard, but Ross resonated with it as someone who married Asian women. He wants to help end systemic racism but sees his personal quest to cook authentic chicken rice as possible cultural appropriation. While he talked with non-white chefs to get their perspectives, he was left as confused as he was before. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
