Tues: Write about a time when you realized that your perception of a particular food was based on a stereotype. Explain what the food was, what you originally believed about it, and where that belief came from. Then describe how your perspective changed after experiencing or learning more about the food. Be sure to include specific details about the moment your thinking shifted and what you learned from that experience.

One type of food I had a negative perception of because of a stereotype was Indian food. It was about all Indian food, not a specific dish. I originally believed that Indian food was unsanitary and would make you sick based on the type of media I would see of Indian on the street making food. They would use their bare hands to touch raw ingredients and mix things; they would never have their feet covered and would be too close to the food, and there would always be rats extremely close or even touching the food. So I assumed all Indian food was made in these conditions. My perspective changed once my dad brought home Indian food one day for Eid (Muslim holiday), and my parents have seen videos of Indian street food, so I was confused about why they got Indian food. I asked my dad about it, and he said he's been going to that Indian restaurant for a while and went inside, even read reviews, and never saw anything unsanitary going on. He was never sick after eating either, so he knew it was fine. I ate the food and was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. He told me not all Indian food is made like that, and it was probably mostly the people who cook on the street that make food like that. So that's when I finally realized my perspective was completely wrong.

Summary: In class, we finished the assignment about the cultural food documentary.

Reflection: I learned the impact food has on culture and community.