Unity in Food

Pot lucks and other culinary adventures included with being a nurse in SoCal

Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash

I have spent almost my entire life being in the majority. White neighborhoods, white schools, white work places - it’s a pretty normal “white, American” experience to be in the majority all the time. But, I’ve worked my current job (a nurse at a hospital in Los Angeles) for over 10 years, and I have been in the minority the entire time. And honestly, I love it. I think it’s been so enriching for my overall life experience.

Most of my co-workers are Filipino (no surprise). But, healthcare attracts people from all cultures. I have co-workers who were born in other countries (Ukraine, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Peru). And I have co-workers who were born here, but still hold strong ties to their family cultures (Filipino, Korean, Vietnamese, Latino).

Of course our cultural differences express themselves in many ways, but the most fun part is the food. I got inspired to write about this simple aspect after reading Melinda Lloyd’s piece about mixed plates in Hawaii. When I was looking at the plates photographed for the piece I realized it looked a lot like our most recent work pot luck.

One of my co-workers had a “big birthday” recently and so we all brought something to eat. And the plate of food I ended up with was a culinary adventure that I realized I have been taking for granted for all the years I have been working there. My plate had a scoop of the pasta salad I brought, an empanada, part of a Bahn mi sandwich, shrimp lo mein, and a little cup of arroz caldo. Now how many people get to eat a plate of food like this at 11pm at work?

Beyond the potlucks, my relationships have lead me to eat things I never would have known about. I went to an Armenian wedding with a spread of food my husband and I still talk about. I started going to Korean BBQ after getting invited to a co-worker’s retirement party at a place where I was again in the minority. I’m the only white person I know that has enjoyed the delightful Filipino take on fried chicken at Jollibee. And I’m planning on taking my husband out for a flavor bomb Korean stew (gochujang) after getting introduced to it by my coworkers.

What’s also a kick, is that I have also introduced my co-workers to what I consider basic food, but they have never had before. My grandmother’s cheesy potato casserole is always a hit and my mother-in-law’s midwest staple “Special K bars” are a popular request among my work friends.

In a time where our country is fighting over ICE, immigration, and politics, let us remember to celebrate our differences in the universal human experience of a good meal.