The Politics of Food in the United States
Food in the United States is framed by myths and stereotypes. The myth of America as a land of plenty, embodied by the “first” Thanksgiving, is far from the reality the first settlers encountered, and creates an image of harmonious relations between Native Americans and New England colonists that belies the violence of colonization. Today, the image of the “fast food nation” masks the diversity of local cuisines and the rich history of food and foodways in the US.