The Man Who Relives Slave History Through Food (HBO)

Culinary historian Michael Twitty has made a name for himself touring the country to lecture about southern food traditions. His new book, ‘The Cooking Gene,’ is out today. The book explores the history of cuisine in the American south, by focusing on the people who laid the foundation for it -- enslaved Africans. Twitty is currently on a teaching residency in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. VICE New's Dexter Thomas joined him there for a meal.

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[JimCorrigan]

If they gave this guy a cooking show about the history of food Id definitely watch it.

[babobibabo]

"I'm not sure I want to feel that way"

"Too bad, get dressed"

[GloNavySlime]

" Our story is told through our plates " i like this guy 😂

[taylorjhebert]

Fastest way to connect to your ancestors is through food.

[BruceJC]

Saw him on James Townsend & Son taking about the origins of BBQ. Much respect for not being afraid of history and using it to bring people together at the table as opposed to sowing seeds of anger and bitterness.

[Monaedeezy]

I really admire Twitty, this video is so important. If more of our children had the proper education about our past and cultural roots (particularly the kids who don't have that luxury), this could be powerful. We were more than just slaves, we were innovators.

[CriticalEatsJapan]

Oh yeah, saw this guy making historical bbq sauce on another channel... it was awesome!

[LexieDi]

I love how assholes gotta comment about Twitty's weight or whether or not he's being "too liberal."

Like, I'm reading his book. And he's fascinating. He's a large black man who is also gay and Jewish. Is obvious that his journey through history and the South is deeply deeply personal to him. He talks extensively about how he identifies, his family, his personal and family history, death, racism, childhood, coming out, relationships, and I'm only 20% done with the book.

What I'm saying is that, even though he is educating people, I get the feeling that this was for him first and foremost. And that includes everything he is- a fat, gay, Jewish black man- and every event and person that brought him to where he is.

[lusmythe]

I love Twitty!!!! He taught Dexter a good lesson. Like Twitty said everybody wants to live “Glory”, but nobody wants to live “Roots”. Embrace it all and learn.

[Summer_Wonder]

Much respect for Twitty and his endeavors. I'm black and I didn't realize until last year that "southern" cuisine was created by slaves. It's unfortunate that the face and financial beneficiary of southern culture is white. Hopefully this book will begin to tell the real truth and history of the south.

[tgirl]

I just want to say that Dexter, the journalist is rightfully uncomfortable. He has every reason to interrogate this process. I believe he's seeing this process from a different place. He & many of us have only been taught to look at this tulmultuous time in our history, slavery, with disdain, shame, & anger. So to now see someone embodying this with a spirit of pride, respect & reverance, it's jarring! It's uncomfortable to confront those realities as a Black American person and I'm very proud to see that he did it. I'm proud that Michael took the time to push him past those feelings & educate him with love! 🔥🥰

[theresaleahy]

As a white person who respectfully wants to learn more about African/Black/Soul food, I am really thankful for this video. This was beautiful.

[aznamoon]

I’m Indian American and my mom makes black eyed fritters (that almost taste like falafels)! He’s definitely right that it’s all brought together from so many places.

[fishinatube]

1:26 unc had no business rocking the high top of doom even back in 2017

[jimborock]

I think I saw this guy on the Townsends - Living History channel when they did food of the enslaved series. I've watched that channels colonial food videos for a few years now. It is absolutely fascinating! Inspiring too. I love history, I love food and the two combined is just awesome. Keep on doing what you're doing, brother. You've got a fan in this Latino! I'll definitely check your book out.

[chloetaylor]

"Yeah shut up, or you'll be breakfast"
that got me good 😂

[LA-tzzr]

I think this was a great moment for the host to separate what happened to African-Americans during those times and embrace how we got through it. African-Americans were enslaved, not slaves by nature. And, it seems to me (though I could be wrong), he was working past a knee-jerk reaction, like most people have, when talking about that point in thyme in relation to African-Americans. However, detaching completely from that history means you're also detaching from the people and their accomplishments. That's what I presume Mr. Twitty is highlighting, the people and their culinary narrative.
Lol anyhow, please don't be too hard on the host, I think it was just growing pains. 
Twitty was the right one for the job~!

[Ashley.CD]

As someone from Alabama raised on southern food, this shows me another side to the things I eat daily. Southern food today is a mix of the extreme creativeness of the enslaved, as well as a mix of the creativeness of the poor. When you don't have much, you have to learn to cook with what you can get. All the suffering and pain of the strong of those who fought, endured, bled, and cried, have led to this food. Even though it's a dark, and rather sad part of history. It's a beautiful thing that their legacy can live on through this amazing food that people travel miles just to try once.

[nickbloom]

Has the reporter ever done a hard days work in his life? Or left the house? I do not understand why he acts so clueless about everything?

[RefinerSimilitude]

Every time they pan to Dexter Thomas, I can't hear what he's saying because I can only hear Kid N Play.