I have many black friends and they are very proud of their cultural association with watermellon. Watermellon is as much a part of black culture and identity as Jazz. It is a proud and not a derogatory part. Do you know for sure that watermellon has nothing to do with Jazz? I am an includer more than an excluder so would problbly leave it in. The programme we have been discussing proudly notes that some of the negative aspects of african american life have made some of the most powerful contributions to Jazz. According to Burns african americans had some sort of monopoly in the brothel business- something by the way that I doubt....

Watermellon is a proud part of what is proudly known as soul food. It is a proud part of african american culture. When I attend artcar events in public I always give out slices of sweet ice cold watermellon for free. I have done this for years and I assure you that by a landslide the number of those taking slices of watermellon are african americans. Ken Burns has no problem associating Jazz with african americans as an entire group although it is not exactly the case. Many many african americans do not like jazz and it is played and written by many many folk of all other races. Some african americans would consider it negative stereotyping to associate all african americans with jazz.

So what is good for Mr. Burns is good for me.

Simply pointing out the reality of a cultural preference is not in itself negative. If you are what you eat maybe just perhaps you may just sing what you eat. Note the constant reference to gumbo in the Burns programme. Maybe it is the water, watermellon or food.

In any case- eat that watermellon proudly! I get mine direct from the A-rabers horse drawn carts which still are to be found on the streets of Baltimore.

Conrad