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DanTex

(20,709 posts)
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 02:52 PM Sep 2016

Another thing about the taco trucks.

Food is is one area where the benefits from immigration in this country are so obvious. I live in NYC now, and you can get food from just about anywhere in the world. And it's great! I love Indian food. Spanish food. Turkish food. Cuban food. Vietnamese food. And so many others.

And of course I love Mexican food. Who doesn't? And how could I not, coming from Texas?

But it's not just NYC, with the broad variety of cuisines available. When I left Austin, TX, arguably the best restaurant there was Japanese (I'm talking about Uchi, Austinites). Think about that for a second. Middle of Texas, and one of if not the best restaurant, packed every night, serving Japanese cuisine.

One could argue that food is a trivial matter, but as a card-carrying foodie, I disagree. Food is part of culture, food is what we share with our friends and families, and some of the best times and memories occur around a table, enjoying food together.

Racists like to insist that immigrants of different skin colors aren't "assimilating" like immigrants with the same skin color as the first round of immigrants who came here (and most definitely did not assimilate). But what better proof is there that they are totally wrong, then the fact that the taco is, at this point, just as American as apple pie.

Assimilation doesn't mean that people drop all of their previous cultural inclinations and become "Americanized." It's a give and take. Yes, obviously immigrants adopt American culture, it's impossible to be in this country for any length of time and not. But also, crucially, they contribute to it. That's what makes America America. Believe it or not, even freedom fries were invented in a foreign country.

I guess some people feel threatened by that. I feel great about it. I can't wait until ponzu sauce or chimichurri are are as American as ketchup.

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Another thing about the taco trucks. (Original Post) DanTex Sep 2016 OP
and music too and treestar Sep 2016 #1
An even bigger thing Cartoonist Sep 2016 #2
Yes, that's a good point. It's quintessential small-business entrepreneurship. DanTex Sep 2016 #3

treestar

(82,383 posts)
1. and music too and
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 02:55 PM
Sep 2016

clothes and art and just about everything. I agree. People who are threatened by this type of thing are bores. 100 years ago they would have been in fear of Italian restaurants and Irish music.

Cartoonist

(7,317 posts)
2. An even bigger thing
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 03:32 PM
Sep 2016

A taco truck on every corner would show entrepreneurship of the highest order, making Americans and their corner hot dog stands obsolete. What's he got against free-enterprise, letting the market work, and satisfying the desires of hungry people?

DanTex

(20,709 posts)
3. Yes, that's a good point. It's quintessential small-business entrepreneurship.
Sun Sep 4, 2016, 03:36 PM
Sep 2016

Re: your sigline

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