Unpopular opinion: I like most human cultures’ foods. I’ve found that it is a great gift for people to share what’s precious to them, what’s been passed down for decades/centuries/millennia, with you. That welcoming of a stranger, that sharing, is such an act of love.

Sometimes “food preferences” can be xenophobic. Unless we are part of a culture, we have not eaten all of their foods — just because you dislike a dish or two doesn’t mean you can’t break bread with people.

From friends to colleagues to even maybe a past love or two (ah, real homemade Jamaican food!), since childhood it’s just been so beautiful whenever people bring you their favorite thing from the people they love best. It is one thing I love best about being human.

But don’t mind me - Black US Midwesterner raised by Black Southerners. In the middle of the country, you’re barely off the plane or the road before people insist upon immediately feeding you — and that’s across demographics.