Things can‘t go back to “normal” and we need to make sure as hell it doesn’t. We must keep fighting and speaking up for justice and what’s right. We must keep participating and supporting in any way we can — whether that’s protesting, calling, signing, donating, amplifying, VOTING, listening, learning. We must also be, and keep being, anti-racist, no matter who it is to or what it may mean. And most importantly, we must actually commit to these actions and hold ourselves, and everyone else, accountable, in all aspects of our lives. We can’t and won’t stop because Black lives absolutely matter, ALL Black lives matter.
One of the things I am doing is amplifying and supporting Black voices and Black-owned businesses more often.
Carla Hall’s Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration
Today, I am spotlighting Carla Hall and her cookbook, “Carla Hall’s Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration.”
The Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, along with the Barbecue Spice Blend and Barbecue Sauce, were the first recipes I tried from her book, and it turned out SO good. The only change I made was putting the pork in the Instant Pot for 90 minutes instead of using the slow cooker. I also made some slaw to make for some bomb Pulled Pork Sliders.
It so happened that Carla wrote about her conversation with Lula Hatcher, the current owner and granddaughter of the founder of Lannie’s Bar-B-Q — a spot in Alabama that has been open for 70+ years — for the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe in the book.
Carla shares how the years before and after the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965, Lula and her family have been serving meals, such as pulled pork, to civil rights leaders and activists. She writes:
“[Lula and her family] played their part by fueling the movement with food, delivering comfort and joy. And they’re still doing it today.”
Those words ring just as true this very day.
#BlackPublishingPower
This week, there is a movement to support #Blackpublishingpower. Do your part and #Blackoutbestsellerlist by buying two books by Black writers, like “Carla Hall’s Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration.” And even better, please shop from a Black-owned bookstore near you or one of these Black-owned bookstores that you can order from online.
To get you started, you can order from Oakland’s Marcus Books, the oldest independent Black bookstore in the US, by filling out their Google Form here for now while they build their online presence.