CULTURE

How The Black Cookout Became a Measure of Collective Comfort

“Who’s invited” is often debated. But this may be a good thing

People having a party drinking beer | Photo by Kampus Production

Black Americans often describe "the cookout" in metaphorical terms. Of course, they host many real-world backyard BBQs. Complete with soulful music and rich side items like potato salad and mac n cheese. Friends, family members, co-workers, and neighbors are generally received with open arms. But, outside of the literal meaning of "cookout," this metaphor refers to an inclusive space. One that is welcoming to all members of the black community. However, not everyone is offered an invitation. Racism is so pervasive in our nation that Black people have to be selective about who they welcome into the fold. After all, nothing ruins a gathering more than guests who don't respect the hosts.

An "invite to the cookout" has come to represent the black community's approval. Or lack thereof. Black people often debate who should receive an invite to the cookout. Those who consider themselves allies frequently seek this level of access. Some hand out invites to anyone who wants one, like free coupons for a new laundry mat. At the same time, others make the case for limited admission. They point out that outsiders are not entitled to access Black people's spaces. The racism they've collectively endured in American society makes this hypothetical exclusivity appealing. KJ Kearney wrote in Ebony in defense of gatekeeping the cookout. She asked what hope we have to find peace "if we aren't allowed to find rest from the White gaze, even in a fictional sense."

Of course, the irony isn't lost on the black community that White people often exclude them. During Jim Crow, Black people could not eat at the same restaurants as White people or live in the same communities. As a result, it would have been rare to see a Black person invited to a white version of the cookout. Even today, over sixty years after the Civil Rights Act passed, racism persists. Resistance to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs has become a popular political position. This speaks to the general exclusion Black people have and continue to endure. It wasn't until 1992 that New Orleans required its secret societies to desegregate. Both the Krewe of Comus and the Krewe of Momus had…