The National Museum of American History's 2nd Annual Food History Festival!

Politics on your plate!

Alright, back to business.

I've been fortunate enough to attend a couple really fun events since moving to DC. The Library of Congress' National Book Festival and the recent used book sale at the National Museum of the US Navy have helped boost my collection of signed books quite a bit, and of course I got to go see the African American Museum of History and Culture. One such event I've been meaning to tell you guys about since the end of October, but then my parents came to visit, the election happened, school got busier, and... yeah. Now it's almost the end of November and I still haven't shared it with you. Sorry about that.

The National Museum of American History had its second annual Food History Festival during the last weekend in October, and after a vote on my Instagram, I decided Kit would be the one making the trip down to the mall to go check it out. I had very little idea of what to expect, and while I feel like this event wasn't as fun or awesome as it could have been, it was definitely worth going to and I'll be happy to attend next year's, assuming I'm not swamped under piles of homework.

A Quick Update

Well guys, it’s been a tough month between school and the election, and it’s only half way over.

I know not everyone is going to agree with that assessment, but I can’t pretend that hasn’t been the truth for me, my family, and lots of people I care about, not to mention people around the country and the word.

Yes, everything might work out for the best, and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure it does, but as a historian (and a queer woman and an American), I can’t pretend this isn’t unprecedented and upsetting. I don’t plan on stopping this blog, and I don’t plan on shifting the primary focus of it onto politics rather than food, but I wanted to address this. It has been very, very difficult to get excited about contributing to a blog that - for better or worse - tends to focus on the celebratory side of American history in the wake of the election. I can’t just go on as if nothing has changed. The world is more than food and pretty dolls.

I keep thinking about a quote from Franklin Roosevelt’s speech as he accepted the Democratic Party’s renomination for President in 1936: “To some generations, much is given. To others, much is expected.” A lot has been given to us and a lot will be expected. We all have a responsibility to make sure we get through the next four years together, and I hope we rise to that challenge by being empathetic, supportive and courageous.

Roosevelt completed his thought by saying that “This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.” We can all help make sure that we meet it in the best way possible. I hope you’re willing to help make that happen.

And for now, that's it for me. I'm going to try to get a post written about Kit's trip to the Smithsonian written up this weekend, so stay tuned for that.

And here's a dessert from AGP DC.