Farmers Market Vegan’s “Vegan Chews & Progressive News” series strives to promote artful vegan food and progressive discussion of social issues—both of which prove necessary in fostering a society that prioritizes the well-being of all creatures (not just the rich, white, or human) over the continuous striving for profit/resource accumulation.
Howdy, folks! Hope you’re enjoying the first round of holidays in the winter season. I do urge you, though, to recognize the genocidal origins of Thanksgiving, which I expound upon in a recent post entitled “A Vegan Thanksgiving is Still Violent.”
In terms of today’s Vegan Chews & Progressive News (# NewsandChews), we’ve got two vibrant and creative interpretations of familiar autumnal ingredients, a round-up of stories and a podcast that highlight the systematized white supremacy behind Ferguson, and a book that will call into question everything you thought you knew about Gandhi.
Favorite Newly Published Recipe
Sorghum Pilaf with Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Cranberries, & Grapes
via Golubka Kitchen
Photo via Anya Kassoff.
The combination of chewy whole grains, candy-sweet dried fruit, and crunchy, earthy nuts will never fail to astound me. The equally phenomenal smoky flavor of roasted brussels sprouts takes that no-fail grain-fruit-nut combo to the next level.
Best Recipe I Made This Week
Squash with Cardamom & Nigella Seeds
via Yotam Ottolenghi in “Plenty More“
Photo within photo via Plenty More.
A succulent dish of slow-roasted squash with warming, sweet spices studded with crunchy pumpkin seeds, this recipes comes from my latest cookbook obsession: Plenty More by Yotam Ottolenghi. Though not a vegan cookbook by any means, Plenty More serves as a continuation of Ottolenghi’s celebration of the world of plant-food first documented in his book Plenty. With a little veganizing know-how and creativity, figuring out how to create animal-free versions of Ottolenghi’s masterfully crafted dishes serves as an entertaining (and scrumptious) endeavor.
Must-Read News Story
Photo via the LA Times.
It feels wrong to me to highlight any stories this week unrelated to the systemic violence (psychological and physical) committed in the United States against Black bodies on a daily basis. The murder of Mike Brown serves as perhaps the most visible instances of this violence in the current moment. As such, today I want to spread around a number of articles that emphasize the structural failures integral to Ferguson, rather than miss the point by focusing on police brutality. I turn to a quote from Catalyst Project to highlight this distinction:
“What’s happening in Ferguson is not just about police brutality or the increased militarization of police departments. It is about a system of policing that uses daily violence on Black, Brown, and poor communities in order to protect the property, politics and profits of the rich. It is about a system of control and terror that teaches white people we should be afraid of Black people, then uses that fear to justify state violence.”
Here are the stories:
“Being Black: The Real Indictment in Ferguson and the USA”
by William C. Anderson at Truthout
“A Response to Ferguson: Systemic Problems Require Systemic Solutions”
by john a. powell at CommonDreams
“Ferguson Isn’t About Black Rage Against Cops. It’s White Rage Against Progress.”
by Carol Anderson at CommonDreams
“Free Marissa and All Black People”
by Mariame Kaba at Prison Culture
Favorite Podcast Episode or Video
“Mychal Denzel Smith on Lack of Indictment in Ferguson”
via Radio Dispatch
Photo via Popular Resistance.
…continuing the Ferguson (and beyond) discussion. Features a detailed look into the problems behind the grand jury decision deliberations (and behind the criminal legal system, in general).
Book Recommendation
“The Impossible Indian: Gandhi and the Temptation of Violence”
by Faisal Devji
Photo via Harvard University Press.
A fascinating look into the aspects of Gandhi’s politics that mainstream rhetoric surrounding him as a figure tend to obscure (did Gandhi really advocate unconditional nonviolence? What were his views on the caste system?). Also a formative resource for thinking about the potential for social change beyond the framework of the neoliberal state.
In solidarity, Ali.
