Fufu Challenge is Not Your Excuse to be Xenophobic | @Jouelzy

[@jouelzy]

Don't mind the hanger. Happy Black History Month! Find me on Patreon patreon.com/jouelzy

[@readyforanything3554]

Love you Lil baby (non romantic) you like a smart ass jurnee smollet. Fw you heavy since your black culture dissertation. Now you touching on something else I've been tuned into.

[@jasminemorris759]

Guess I've been living under a rock again, but it's okay, respect is high on my list of morals.For others respect is just a word in a song. Im relieved I have a more pescatarian palate. No shade. Your opinions are valuable Jouelzy, all respect.

[@mermaidtingzzz]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TenVeils]

Happy Black History Month 2021

[@kimandshay]

🤣🤣🤣

[@naturallyti6256]

Exactly it’s like sushi. You don’t get sushi from just anywhere. It don’t taste the same.

[@jouelzy]

Great example. Cause I'm hella picky about where I get sushi from.

[@rickireign]

Good analogy!

[@Myaccount923]

Exactly and people won’t disrespect sushi like this

[@yumiyumitao3324]

I don't like sushi but I wouldn't write off the whole culture and cuisine because of it. I'm from the Caribbean and I don't even like all of my people's cuisine.

[@4pfcarti792]

@@jouelzy big facts I go to only ONE place to get sushi because not everywhere knows how to make it

[@Kluermoi]

You literally get prettier with each video ❤️❤️❤️

[@jouelzy]

oh wow! Thank you!!

[@MynameisNOTthepoint]

Literally!!!

[@graciaxxl8808]

I thought it was just me😍

[@dexterzombiegirl]

Facts!!

[@SSRIs]

Yes, I concur! You’re gorgeous as well. I’ve told you this 1000x’s lol but I LOVE your name 💕

[@Nico-c3c]

Sorry but there is no reason a grown woman/man needs to spit food out on camera. If you don't like it then just explain why and move on.

[@SSRIs]

I agree. Grown folks Being extra, disrespectful & gross for no reason other than for clicks & views

[@QTiye88]

He said it looked like Dog Food before she pulled the video too like...what yall was expecting? And also, just because he is "Kenyan-American" doesn't mean he is actually ingrained or invested in said culture or West Africa in general. The fact that he kept saying "I'm African" and she kept repeating it let me know what time it was because no real Ghanaian/Nigerian/Kenyan gonna refer to their entire continent. Hell they break it down by tribe even!🤣🤣

[@ThatGirlMoi]

Yeah, they could've also decided to just not post it too since they're being disrespectful

[@AnimeUni-versed]

PREACH

[@politicomonsoon]

with the internet you get the good with the bad. So if someone is going to say that they like it and are very into it, someone is going to basically vomit. That's the part of the internet you cannot get people praising food without people hating it.

[@Baybehho]

Honestly, it's like trying Chinese food for the first time but instead of ordering chow mein and some sweet and sour pork you go straight for the century egg and chicken feet. They didn't go in wanting to explore a new cuisine, they just wanted a gross-out challenge. They all knew exactly what they were doing.

[@adikaaniedobe6339]

Exactly! Ppl skipped jollof rice and plantain and flew to fufu

[@bossytweed6664]

Exactly! I always say fufu is not the dish to introduce Nigerian food to someone especially because it's an acquired taste. So many native people are already picky about fufu including myself. I never ate fufu unless my dad made it and now, I don't eat the fufu and instead just the soup but only if it's made vegetarian. This challenge is purely xenophobic. Period.

[@EclecticGiraffe]

@@adikaaniedobe6339 legit lol I told my dad about the challenge this morning and he was like, “why didn’t they do it with jollof?”

[@princessyarkor730]

Same

[@tonyamd9800]

Didn't you just insult the Chinese culture by just disrespecting what they eat? Are you saying the egg and chicken feet are disgusting?

[@CoCoFantastique]

When I went to Japan a woman bought her young son to experience the tea ceremony. When it came time to try the Green Tea, which looked and tasted like grass puree if I'm honest. The woman said to her son " DO NOT make a face" . Etiquette! it has to be taught. It is ok not to like it. It is not OK to be disrespectful

[@effortlesslynj]

Exactly! My mom taught me never to call peoples food disgusting/nasty because it’s plain disrespectful. It was a big shocker growing up, and realizing not everyone thought like that, especially Americans.

[@CoCoFantastique]

@@effortlesslynj Girl! my family is a few generations black Americans from the south..Trust me! In my day if you turn up your nose or made negative comment something someone took the time to prepare for you?you will seriously wish you never had. . African, Black American, Caribbean ALL know better than this! I really think it may be the culture of this social media generation because acting like a rude idiot for attention is acceptable now.

[@avonnehuggins2122]

@@CoCoFantastique true!

[@RedisNotaFlavor]

yep agree. fufu, even though a staple of Nigerian cuisine, is not an introductory dish. There should be a Rice and Stew or Jollof Rice and plantain challenge.

[@MsEricao]

I was thinking the same thing

[@loulousworld92]

To be 100% honest fufu is not a staple Nigerian dish at all Iool maybe in a different tribe but for my people our choice of starch is typically pounded yam, eba, amala or ground rice

[@aspiring...]

I believe they pick that food on purpose knowing they won't like it.

[@ajo8075]

@@loulousworld92 gotta be your people lol definitely a staple for mine, never thought that was something would vary between tribes

[@loulousworld92]

@@ajo8075 I don’t know where you are from but the majority of Nigerians in the UK that I know (that’s including family and friends) don’t eat fufu as much as they eat pounded yam. If you go to weddings the number one thing that they serve with the soups is pounded yam, Amala or Eba, Fufu is at the bottom of list Lool. I think it’s more popular with Ghanaians

[@jnyerere]

I'm Tanzanian and I have quite a few Nigerian-American friends who've introduced me to various foods. And overtime I've learned that West African and East African cuisines are just vastly different. But I've never disrespected any of my Nigerian friends in the process of trying foods my palate did not agree with. And more importantly, I've found foods that I actually liked in the process. For some, the Egusi Challenge was indeed an opportunity to be xenophobic and disrespectful for views.

[@parisz]

+1. Btw, I’m Zanzibari/Finnish - karibu kaka!

[@gee.kay.4787]

TZ!

[@thewordsmith5440]

I'ver heard many West Africans call black American foods trash and nasty even before this challege and even call it slave food ironically East Afircans eat suka wiki (collard greens) too but many Africans have tried to instill an inferority complex about our foods saying we are lost and dont know our roots but someone who does not like Nigerian foods hates every single African in the world? Tanzania food looks good though. But not liking Egusi and fufu does not mean you hate all Africans. NIgeria does not represent all of Africa. And many black Americans like jollof rice from Nigerians. That does not make you xenophobic because you dont like certain diishes from someone's culture. My ex didnt like collard greens and macaroni and cheese does that make him a xenophobic west african? He actually was though but thats because he talked about how white americans loved them more and how white americans were superior to black Americans and how africans were hard working and black americans were lazy and thieves even though he did illegal things which he justified by saying he was a struggling immigrant.

[@effortlesslynj]

@@thewordsmith5440 go to therapy ❤️

[@OsheyBaddest]

@@thewordsmith5440 shut up satan

[@paprikahoney]

I personally would have recommended that they start with jollof rice and suya. Because you are right, yall can't go from fried chicken and sweet potato pie to egusi and fufu. Its an acquired taste. Only benefit of this challenge imo is the african restaurants getting more business

[@PHlophe]

but my thing is at korean and chinese restaurants they woulda been more adventurous with food and i haven't seen hordes of non africans creating whole videos saying chinese food smells fouls, i wanted to have a word with those bitches . And why the hell do we even need to baby sit them. I have never worked hard to please the caucasian friends that came to our house to eat southern african food , and like i appreciate that if someone doesn't like my food; they could drink water and eat the slice of breads on the table because i sure as hell ain't going to please no damned body for fear of upsetting them.

[@FukQUMean]

Omg that's what I did for my friends in college. Jellof and suya, they only liked the suya. Didn't even liked maltina. It's definitely different and you gotta ease into it.

[@tatertot58]

Idk girl the first time I tried egusi soup I was in love😍. I eat it regularly like at least 2 to 3 times a month. My kids eat it with no problem and we are all black Americans and if they can be respectful so can these grown adults lol. Nigerian food is top tier!

[@eprahs1]

@@PHlophe chinese food is rice, sauce , seafood, meat, and vegetables. Everybody has had that. You can't compare trying chinese food to egusi. Not happening.

[@PHlophe]

@@eprahs1 girl what africa doesn't have seafood and meat and veggies ? What you are eating in those Asian takeaway joints is not actual chinese or KR food its american food branded as asian. people in china do not have those in their menu. The same applies to all the Tandoori means, chicken Korma and the likes. just cos it has kurkumah in it doesn't mean its asian. People i india don't even know what chicken korma is. actual Chinese food is an "acquired taste", and I am being tactful here.

[@angelnypr]

Its interesting all these diaspora wars happened, because fufu has several diasporic variations. As an Afro-PRican, mofongo is an obvious one. DR has mangu. Cuba and Haiti have their variations, and the English-speaking caribbean has its own variations as well. And these are commonly sold in a lot of these immigrant destination cities. Anyways, diaspora wars need to stop. They're exhausting.

[@Merrybandoruffians]

It’s interesting how there are so many cultures in the Americas that have their own little spin on dishes that were brought over from West Africa. Like, I never made the connection between Mofongo and fufu, but now that you mention it, I’m like, duh! My family is from the South Carolina coast (and have some Geechee heritage) and we eat red rice, which I recently learned is just a version of Jollof rice that enslaved people adapted to the ingredients they had here. It’s just cool to me how we all put our own spin on things, but we’re all expressing the cultures of our homeland 🖤

[@toyaJM]

Thanks my husband introduced me to mofongo and I couldn’t place why it was familiar to me. I grew up with a lot of Nigerians and love fufu it makes so much sense now.

[@angelnypr]

The reality is most of our diaspora dishes are attempts our ancestors made to continue cooking in ways familiar to them, with the new ingredients they were presented with in the Americas, whether natural to there, or as a result of Europeans trading it over. Its the same in Africa actually, there's quite a few African dishes that contain ingredients native to the Americas. It shows how interconnected we are, and how despite slavery and colonialism, our relationships to each other across the diaspora are still intact in many ways, we just often don't realize it. Remember these borders are new, and we were considered property, we were easily shipped around different colonies. I have documented and traced black ancestors to Curaçao, Venezuela, Spain. Oral family history/cultural practice tells me I have ancestry from Haiti. We need to see these connections and remember them. They're important to our black history.

[@toyaJM]

@@angelnypr I guess I’ve just never thought too deeply about the history of the foods I consume. This was a beautiful reminder of the depth of tradition throughout the diaspora.

[@BiscuitMCK]

Funny in Congo they eat Mangu and mofongo . Even the words sounds congolsese.kongolese are central africans.

[@sashao.1534]

As a person who is married and has a child with a Nigerian man it definitely took some time for my pallet to become accustomed to certain dishes. The texture alone to certain dishes like the okra soup was very new so hearing people doing the fufu challenge with EGUSI smh why not try Jollof, even the peppery stew with rice to start off. Some of them folks new better (especially the chicken fingers and French fry folks)

[@ezinneifechukwunyelundubue2578]

Exatly jollof rice or white rice and stew is the entry point to Nigerian food. Yeah texture is definately a thing.

[@Merrybandoruffians]

Okay, I’ve been wondering this for awhile ... Is the slimy texture common in Nigerian food? Or is it just a few dishes that have that texture? I’m really not trying to sound ignorant, just genuinely curious. I’m black American and I have always wanted to learn more about/try more West African food (since, that is our heritage.)

[@ajo8075]

@@Merrybandoruffians the slimy texture is really only in okra soup because okra itself is slimy. Egusi and other soups like bitter leaf soup that go with fufu/farina are not slimy.

[@125loopy]

@@Merrybandoruffians Okra is really slimy. I'm Jamaican and lots of Jamaicans love okra but I could never 😭 I'm patiently awaiting my first try at jollof rice though. That looks delicious

[@Merrybandoruffians]

Aj O ah, okay. Thanks for clarifying. My family is from the coast of South Carolina/Georgia and the old folks also eat stewed okra with tomato, which I’ve never been a big fan of because of that texture. The only way I can do okra is fried, lol. But I’m glad there are other dishes I can try. Thanks!

[@3ThatGirlSteph2]

We don't even eat everybody's potato salad...

[@keyannab1735]

OKAY! A whole culture of "Who made it ?!?!?!?"

[@cocochanel3812]

@@keyannab1735 lol I’m guilty asking before I eat ....

[@ladybluelotus]

Exactly! It's just ignorant people being extra for clicks. People need to grow up.

[@ladydiaspora807]

Girl,OK

[@MegTelevised]

agree. its hypocritical. we stay clowin people foods but when it happens to us

[@nickjoy6389]

THIS HAIIRRRRRR!!!!! CMON SZA! TEWSDAY AND WENZDAY!

[@houseofbonnets]

With a quality bang!

[@nickjoy6389]

@@houseofbonnets TEA! 😭

[@CamillaRules892]

it’s giving very much I JUS KEEP HIM SATISFIED!

[@nickjoy6389]

@@CamillaRules892 DEADDDDDD 😭😭💕

[@nickjoy6389]

@q She looks stunning!

[@reedkicker443]

Unfortunately it takes a level of awareness to realize that its its offensive to show outward disgust at people's cultural food. Versus being able to be diplomatic and say something like "I'm not a huge seafood person so I didn't really enjoy this but not bad" or "you know what Fufu is a communal food and I'm left handed let me sit it out." But shout out to my high school English teacher who use to make us do "Eat With" assignments eating with classmates from a different culture. Filipinos eat chitlins to except their version is deep fried. So I can say they are horrid both the African American way and the Filipino way. 😂

[@yams8556]

EXACTLY

[@lachell071393]

So it’s expected that you don’t partake in communal meals if you’re left handed ?

[@larwuo_k]

@@lachell071393 Well I wouldn't say it's not expected to partake in communal meals if you're left handed but in some country in African eating with your left hand is a no go. I think she was just trying to giving some example of what you can say instead of being disrespectful not a great example but I get what she is saying.

[@lachell071393]

@@larwuo_k Ahhh got you! I was just curious because I’m left handed lol. Thanks for the explanation.

[@reedkicker443]

@@lachell071393 Actually in a lot of countries the left hand is seen as the one you use to wipe lol. See the videos "Taboos in your country" because it's true for some Asian countries as well. And I am a real left handed person so my friend did tell me no one would eat food I cooked in Ghana lmao. So, if you ever travel you can make a joke out of it because I also had another girl who was Korean try and teach me to use chopsticks and she said she didn't know anyone left handed in SK.

[@eatwithafia]

As a Ghanaian food blogger, it was so disheartening to see. I posted a reel that Africans were upset and a lot of African Americans were saying that I am starting an African vs African American war. We want African Americans to try West African food; they are the first group of people I would really love to truly experience West African food as a way to connect back to their African roots but if you don’t like it, you don’t have to make theatrics. People should have just gone with plantain and beans or simple jollof rice and suya

[@13579hee]

Idk....as a Black American I feel I dont have any reason to taste West African food. I just dont feel like I get to claim any of that as "my culture". Centuries have passed........idk why some people think we should be attached to that now

[@LadyMahogany]

The way some African people don't want anyone to disrespect your culture, food, music and anything that within your culture Black African Americans don't want to be disrespected either. I always hear from certain Africans why don't you African Americans have any culture, and other demeaning things that's hurtful. Maybe we all should respect each other's experiences and cultures and try to get along since we're all supposed to be family. It's certain things that I don't eat but I don't disparage the person or culture that the food is made by. Maybe the person had a off day or It's my tastebuds. Since I'm allergic to a lot of things it could be that.

[@Love25648]

To be honest I don’t care and I’m saying this as a Nigerian. What is the obsession of having them reconnect with so called west African routes (you also forgot to mention the large Central African ancestry). They’ve been in America for 400 years where they have developed their own culture and dynamics. They are Americans and have no obligation to discover so called roots unless they actually want to. You guys need to allow them to be who they are, an independent ethnic group with its own culture and values. As for the challenge, I honestly don’t understand how something like this can make you upset. These people doing it are obviously ignorant and doing it for clout. It also wasn’t just African Americans ns I saw Caribbean and a couple East Africans as well.

[@kpopfan246]

I wanted to try African food just to say I did and to try new things. I was able to eat jollof rice and it tasted great to me. I never really had a chance to try other dishes tho.

[@13579hee]

@@Love25648 OMG. THANKYOU. Im a Black American and this is so nice of you to say!!!! Imo my roots are in America, i obviously know I have ancestors that once lived im African but the la at 400+ years in America have shaped my identity. I think people just cant let our culture be what it is because they don't see it as valid which is soooooo fucked up

[@Diamondluv4eva]

Ghanaian-American here! I definitely agree on (west) African and Asian cuisine flavors being similar! My mom and I are regulars at the asian market.

[@lyn7127]

There's an argentinian (and maybe other south american places, I can only speak for my country) bitter alcoholic drink called fernet. It has a lot of herbs and is very very good for the stomach. If you drink a shot of it, it's medicinal. If you mix it (with let's say coke), it's a beverage. If a foreigner just takes a full glass of it, they would absolutely hate it, but they're not doing it right. You're supposed to understand tradition and the way things are done

[@TititoDeBologay]

I tried Fernet but in Chile. It was special to say the least. It does settle the stomach. It reminded me of Herbal decoction You have in the French side of the alps. Them types that the local pull out of their cupboards and tell you all the herbs except that secret ingredient, you’ll never know.

[@andeendrayton1253]

Reminds me of mauby which is big in the Caribbean. It's made from the bark of the mauby tree and bitter as hell! Yet, it's so refreshing as a cold drink on a hot day. As a kid I hated it but as I grew older, LOVED it!

[@tomaitoe]

@@andeendrayton1253 True. Mauby is addictive now that I'm an adult.

[@sasentaiko]

Oh yeah, I remember a decade ago White (non South American) Silicon Valley hipsters kept pressuring everyone to do fernet shots at parties, with the assumption that they’d hate it. Sorry some of the insecure people in my country did that xenophobic thing.

[@makimoments]

The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo are part of Central Africa

[@brownsugaspark9811]

🇨🇬🇨🇬🇨🇬🇨🇬🇨🇩 Congo!!

[@t_challathagod172]

now they are. prior to the colonial times they werent

[@t_challathagod172]

@Sally Ann do your history and then you can holla at me. Cameroun isnt even west africa, Gabon as well. We were all West Africa till the influence of the francophone. Central africa is abstract and made up

[@t_challathagod172]

@Sally Annmy mistake arguinh with a dimwit

[@childofyah5763]

@@t_challathagod172 if they say they ain’t west Africans they ain’t west Africans what’s the problem?

[@AuthorLHollingsworth]

We Black folks down South eat many dishes with okra. Rather it is fried okra, okra/ tomato soup, black eyes with okra, Gumbo, Collard Greens/Mustards with okra, and the list goes on. Many of our own people dont realize that our ancestors found ways to keep Africa alive within the community, but without the colonizer even having a clue. Also, there is a reason why we love sweet potatoes/ Yams so much, and we can thank Africa for that as well. Love the video, Queen!!!!

[@13579hee]

Sweet potatoes come from South America 😬 Collard greens were brought to America by Europeans Most of What we eat isnt African

[@Utada379]

@@13579hee uh, you need to relearn Black American history and I’ll leave it at that

[@13579hee]

@@Utada379 oh sure

[@destiny3354]

@@13579hee Ummm no they are not that's false history learn your true history

[@nia-yl7lq]

AAs dont eat yams, that's my problem. You eat sweet potatoes, yams and sweet potatoes are completely different

[@bolaogunbayode6143]

We love this whole look

[@esonomangueestefania-oyana6538]

Anyone's culture shouldn't be a trend or a challenge, I'm sorry, cause now people don't do things because they actually enjoy doing it , they do it for clout and views.

[@bigdezol]

Egusi is definitely not a starter food, but we have to be mindful to participate in and not exploit other people's food and foodways.

[@mf4068]

Thank you for this- I am British-Nigerian and wouldn’t choose Egusi soup for somebody new to cuisine. I also am used to non Nigerian black people using our food to insult us, terms such as “dirty” is hurtful and blatantly offensive

[@_Alimm]

I come from a both West Indian and African American family and I definitely see the treatment from ppl when I say which black I am first. Ppl think I'm more fun and cool when I say West Indian. Ppl think I'm uneducated and classless when I say AA. There's a real harmful generalization and zenephobia put on AAs from the rest of the Diaspora. It's a just white supremacist ideas were throwing at each other in the end.

[@MissTiffee619]

As someone who’s also half West Indian and Half African American, you are 100% right.

[@thenerdyelephant1098]

Same! I'm jamaican and african american, 100% black but eyes light up when i say jamiacan. Eyes go dull when i say im black. Same ting mon same ting

[@skylarsky3173]

Same here!! My mom is AA and may dad was Jamaican(he died). People treat me different( whites, Africans, Indians.....) when they find out I have Jamaican ancestry. It's almost like they totally ignore the fact that I am both and are fascinated mainly by my Jamaican side. It's sad because my parents truly embraced each other's culture. My dad would make grits( almost like porridge) and my mom would make curry chicken with a southern spin...

[@kyrathedestroyer_]

Facts. When I talk about my dad being trini people think it’s so cool but when I talk about being AA there’s a certain “eh” expression I get from others.

[@Liiinda4]

I'm half Dominican, half Black American. You think people care that I'm Dominican when I go to the DR? No, they care about my Americaness. This is human nature, considering when you are in the country of origin.

[@13579hee]

I was told that the vast majority of the people who started that challenge on Tik Tok were Black people from Canada many of whom are of Caribbean immigrant descent.... but people still came out and complained about Black Americans which I think is the shotgun reaction. Anytime someone see the black person on the internet doing something that seems disrespectful, offensive or problematic they are always assumed to be a Black American person. There have been multiple times where Ive literally seen continental Africans saying problematic things about Africa and when people take notice of what offense of things they've said they start her holding anti-Black American attacks against them calling them "slave babies" and saying they have "no culture"... even though that individuals were Continental Africans and not descendants of enslaved people. When are we gonna have a conversation about the diaspora as a whole having an anti-Black American ethnophobic attitude and how anytime of black person online seemed to do something perceived as "wrong" it's assumed to be black American doing it

[@blkblack828]

Honestly its not a conversation worth having. Its been suggested several times that I go get shot by police due to this one sided diaspora war. We don't tie our existence to our food. We understand its not that deep. The attacks against us and our culture is projection. The anger stems from something beyond our control.

[@13579hee]

@@blkblack828 the Africand who do that need someone to feel superior to and so they put us down to feel better about themselves because they know globally they are looked down upon. Looking down on us finally gives them people to feel better than

[@effortlesslynj]

I’m not discrediting their ignorance one bit, but you do realize a good chunk of us don’t speak like that? A lot of us have had similar insults/xenophobia thrown at us from black Americans, but have grown to realize that it’s ignorance. Like I said, I am not going to discredit your hurt/trauma, but I think it’s time to heal my dear. From an African to a black American, heal my love! Anywho sending you good vibes, peace and solidarity

[@13579hee]

@@effortlesslynj I have nothing person to "heal" from. I just think that Africans coming to America need to be aware of the issues over here that Black Americans deal with and watch their mouths.....you cant come into our house and start rearranging furniture. If a Black American went to Africa, Africans would UNDERSTANDABLY put then in their place if they started calling Africans "backwards", "lazy" & "ignorant" in THEIR own African countries and blaming them for their lack of infrastructure.

[@opeyemiadegoke361]

@@13579hee see? That's exactly our issues as Africans with you AA ...this other commentor is trying to reach out to you and meet you in the middle ,you are talking about Africans watching their mouths when they come to the states it's the unecessary need to feel superior to Africans for me .. I hope you know in the eyes of this colonizers we are seen as the same , and we need to stick to together ...there is a saying in my place that says " accept your fault when it's been pointed out ,so everyone can let go and move on together ". In this case no African was waiting to attach any AA for no reason did you see all the videos and what was said in them if you don't want to be biased am sure you know 80percent of these videos were made here in the United States .so it very understandable to address this issue pointing fingers at AAs as it was said earlier heal from the hurt cos you clearly are harbouring some hate towards Africans which is not healthy for you as an individual or for you as a part of the black race .

[@jessicacantu3394]

It's disappointing to see grown adults disrespect culture via food. If you don't like it, just say it, but don't be rude. 🤦‍♀️

[@shazzari]

“OUTRAGE IS A SOCIAL CURRENCY.”

[@wahabodusola6484]

What a profound statement!

[@mam9475]

A woman with a Jamaican flag in her bio literally said “African food is trash” on Twitter a month ago and everyone came for Black Americans, very confusing.

[@trinajame5208]

Quite confusing indeed. This should not be a reason to hate on any group. If she was black American still no reason to come for black Americans. Nigerians have our own ignorant people we do not like when people come for us when the ignorant ones decide to share their ignorance with the world.

[@trinajame5208]

If I am not mistaken Joulezy is black American and look at what she is saying here

[@monzorella1]

100% confusing

[@serenity6831]

Thank you for being this up, this is the disrespect that pisses me off and as a Nigerian, it hurt to see some of those comments. If you don't like it that's fine but wtf is with the drama?? Edit: that being said, we Nigerians need to chill with the straight up antiblackness, it only perpetuates nonsense and divides us.

[@candyboayue112]

I feel the same way. Much support from a fellow west African, Liberia’s. I could eat fufu any day before chicken fingers and French fries, but you don’t see me spitting it out and acting disrespectful.

[@indomie7]

@@candyboayue112 from EA same too, thank god we grew up with real food and not fast food,

[@Social_Pugatory]

@@indomie7 Unnecessary slights like this are the problem. Cut it out.

[@jprime007]

@@Social_Pugatory 💯

[@joyclarke335]

@@indomie7 You're statement is no different than the behavior exhibited in the fufu challenge videos you complain about. Just say hate African Americans.

[@ezinneifechukwunyelundubue2578]

You are absolutely right....egusi and fufu is not the entry point for Nigerian food. There is no food to compare it with in the american cuisine. There is even ways to eat the food that makes it a little more complex. E.g for fufu you cant chew it coz its fermented cassava and will feel a little acidic as opposed to garri which will be ok to chew( which for some weird reason people are calling fufu too) I noticed people chewing fufu and i was like they are going to hate it. My sister doesnt eat fufu coz she chews it. Fufu is supposed to be swallowed as little balls with soup.

[@JasOli11]

Interesting.....never heard of a food dish that isn’t supposed to be chewed.

[@ezinneifechukwunyelundubue2578]

@@JasOli11 Yeah....its just coz of the processes involved in making it. I mean people chew it but not without the weird acidic feeling in their mouth. One will have to get used to that to be able to eat it. This is why in Nigeria all the food that we eat this way(garri, amala, pounded yam) are generally refered to as swallow

[@SSRIs]

@@JasOli11 a lot of people say you’re suppose to & prefer to swallow raw oysters rather than chew them. Similar for a few other foods but I can’t recall which ones atm. I was surprised there are foods that aren’t supposed to be chewed too. It’s kinda weird lol

[@JasOli11]

@@ezinneifechukwunyelundubue2578 Thank you for the information

[@YourMajesty143]

@@JasOli11 - Mashed potatoes don't get chewed. Jello isn't really chewed. Pudding or Ice cream isn't chewed. There's plenty of foods that aren't chewed.

[@octaviaeguabor9516]

I said the same thing! How do you know everybody is African American? They could be anything other.... It’s getting on my nerves!

[@justinphillip403]

I'm not a mean person in general but as a Caribbean person, I love Goat meat, Lamb, and all seafood. Food is so integral in how we celebrate holidays, there are specific dishes that we at along with certain meats. I remember cooking fish with the head on it for one of my American friends and they were disgusted. They didn't understand with I would eat the meat in the head of the fish or suck the juices out. It was like they saw me as savage instead of asking about why or how it was related to my cultural experience.

[@thewordsmith5440]

That not unamerican our grandparents did that but most people today dont like to see the fish still looking like it did when it was alive its creepy its like you are reminding them that it was killed for you to eat.

[@84tahlia]

Lol People in Louisiana suck the juice out the head of crawfish. Everything is relevant to location.

[@nicolette2347]

I went to highschool here.I remember Jamaicans being shamed by Americas for eating goat.

[@thewordsmith5440]

@@nicolette2347 Most of the people with these stories are in the north ironically those same people's grandparents 9/10 came from the south where they probably ate rabbits, deer, lamb etc. My grandad had to even eat squirrel meat.

[@thewordsmith5440]

@@84tahlia And many dry the shrimp and seafood like West Africans. I not from louisiana but I love shrimp in the shell. It is so sweet and juicy.

[@tamaracharese]

I’m Afro-Caribbean American and I remember growing up we “didn’t like soul food”, turns out, where we went to eat was just horrible. I love soul food. Shout out to Melba’s, Chocolat, and Blvd Bistro in Harlem.

[@anony1596]

I love soul food. My favorite thing is visiting my southern American boyfriend's family. Especially his grandmother, she always does the most when she knows she's getting company. And I love inviting his family over for Jamaican or Guyanese food. I feel like we spend more time fantasizing about what our wedding menu would be than the average couple 😂

[@thewordsmith5440]

As a black American its your choice not to like Soul Food. Soul food isnt even the only food that black Americans eat. Lousiana and Geeechee eat gumbo and seafood and crawfish and different seafood stews. Plus many of us just eat basic American foods liek baked chicken, with rice and green beans or broccli. Or mashed potatoes with hamberger and gravy and onions. Or chicken and dumplings which idk if that is soul food or not.

[@tamaracharese]

@@thewordsmith5440 all of it is actually

[@22PinkAmber]

@@thewordsmith5440 That's all soul food.

[@Whatshaname]

I’m glad this convo is coming back around. The ish was extremely triggering when I first saw it a few months ago. Dude in the Elmo bib did it for me! He’s a straight up buffoon! I’m going to assume these same mofos hold problematic beliefs about the continent, Afrikan people and their connection to them as American of Afrikan descent. I’m a black American btw, if that matters.

[@violetblu1]

The problem is that these are reaction videos as opposed to people trying an unfamiliar cuisine because they have a genuine interest.

[@marlak4203]

Yep. A lot if things are said and done purposefully for reaction. But others fall for it.

[@JustEJayOk]

That part! Getting a reaction for likes, views and shares!

[@12245950856]

I agree.

[@sake9305]

The “local Ghanaian “ food at Mövenpick is trash. They do foreign cuisines better. That’s partly why you didn’t enjoy the buffet. Next time you’re in Ghana, after covid, I’ll hook you up with some authentic Ghanaian food cooked by some grandmas who can throw down. I don’t eat seafood either so you can eat with me.

[@lillola9307]

She said “chicken nuggets and French fries dudes” 😆 😂. Your right though, I personally have tasted at least a little bit of every cultures food because NY is just so multicultural but not everybody makes the dishes correctly. Like I won’t go to the Italian owned Indian spot, I’ll go to the Indian, Indian spot for authentic food. And btw chitlins are banging, but they have to be properly cleaned, and cooked by someone who’s made a well before, as well as being an acquired taste. IMO

[@Nadeensbeat]

When my friend tried Cook up Rice (Guyanese Dish) she was like,”This Hoppin John!!” Her family is from South Carolina. We have so much diversity and similarities throughout the diaspora. Jouelzy, I appreciated your honesty and approach!

[@ladydiaspora807]

Yes girl I love hoppin john

[@Joy-hk9ho]

Yes south Carolina grandparents

[@thewordsmith5440]

@Lanette Am They didn't try it was what they preserved naturally. They outnumbered whites and lived on islands where whites were not typically around they had black overseers. They lived in different circumstances than the rest of black America except those in Louisiana where the French liked African music and foods so they implemented it into the culture. Please beware of your words when talking about black Americans. Slaves lived how they were allowed to live and used the resources they had it had nothing to do with trying. If you lived someone where thery mixed up African tribes on purpose so they coiuldn't bond or communicate than it's harder to preserve the culture.

[@redGingema]

Dishes such as fufu or other national food appeared at a very different time, when people could afford to eat once a day. For many people even now, these dishes are part of their culture and part of good childhood memories. No one is forcing this bloggers to eat such dishes, but it's silly to make fun of the food. I tasted fufu with meat stew just once in a restaurant in Moscow. My colleagues from Ghana knew a place where they cooked the real national food. It was delicious. Thank you very much for the enlightening video. Now I want to try the Egusi soup.

[@kittyskid1]

This type of conversation is why I learned to not unsubscribe when you take a long hiatus. You always deliver.

[@doctorofletters8412]

Those tiktoks made me re-experience the shame I had about being African in my teens. Thank God for growth.

[@TinaMbachu]

Egusi and fufu is also a staple in Cameroon. I lived in Swaziland for two years working and would randomly have cravings for it, lol. Found a small Nigerian community, and discovered a restaurant where I could get some of my west and Central African staples. I’m a bit biased but I’ll say anyone who doesn’t like egusi soup needs to work on their palate 🤣

[@adaezekeziaonuchukwu888]

Word! I don't understand what could possibly make anyone have that kind of extreme reaction to egusi and fufu

[@TheGreenlove87]

I am Cameroonian and fufu and egusi is not a staple for Cameroonian. Maybe fufu and eru.

[@TinaMbachu]

@@TheGreenlove87 lol I was born and raised in Kumba and that was a regular meal for me so yeah.

[@TheGreenlove87]

@@TinaMbachu I am from Limbe and I did not know about egusi soup until I moved to the US and hung around Nigerians. Kumba is known to have a lot of Nigerians so maybe that is why you were exposed to it. We used egusi for egusi pudding and miondo.

[@jprime007]

I love the balance in your critique. I def saw disrespect coming from all sides as well. This is why I love me some Jouelzy! Lemme mosey on over to Patreon.

[@urielleumutoni]

We, Congolese people, are considered Central African

[@ldsmissionarygear8677]

Effectivement

[@brookesmith6998]

Definitely agree that many of the people doing the challenge were being unnecessarily disrespectful, but making generalizations about Black Americans were wrong as well. Cuz just as you said, they have no idea about the background of the people in those videos besides the fact that they are black in America. There was ignorance on both sides. If I don't go to any old restaurant for macaroni and cheese, I'm surely not gonna do that for fufu and egusi. If you wouldn't spit out someone's food like that if you were trying it in front of them, then I can't imagine posting such a reaction online. I need to head on over to your Patreon!

[@natashadesirae8895]

This!

[@13579hee]

But see, it is deeper than "disrespect on both sides". There was no "both sides" argument. We have no clear-cut knowledge of who those people were and what their ethnic backgrounds were (and from what I was told by someone who uses Tik Tok a lot of the people who started it were black Canadians who were probably up Caribbean descent) however, when Africans felt the need to defend themselves they instantly started attacking Black Americans. This isnt a "both sides" argument, this is a *they don't like us* argument, this is a * the vast majority of them signed the American social contract that says Whites on top, Black Americans on the bottom* argument, this is a *they want to intentionally draw a a contrasting images between us and them and make us look like the a only uncivilized black people in the world* argument, This is a *they get to dress up like us and be Invasion of the Body Snatchers when they want to but then turn around and try to stick their noses up towards us* argument.

[@mkszaq1xsw2]

@@13579hee oooooooohhhh, you came with a flame thrower. I can't disagree with you either. It's the initial false assumption that the person being disrespectful was African American for me.

[@13579hee]

@@mkszaq1xsw2 yes I did come with the flame thrower! Im SICK of these people hating us. I knew they hated us when I was watching an episode of the Grapevine and they were in the United Kingdom talking to a bunch of Black Brits and one of the black BRITISH guys was saying something about how Black people are ignorant about serious issues and when he went to give an example of the type of ignorant type of things Black people say about serious issues, he started speaking in a mock Black American accent....and EVERYONE laughed (A WHOLE ROOM OF BLACK CARIBBEANS AND AFRICANS). They found it funny because to them the mere speak patterns of Black Americans = symbol of stupidity

[@mkszaq1xsw2]

@@13579hee WOOOOOWWWWWWW!

[@dearlyanna1121]

Jouelzy!! I missed you girl! Happy black history month. I love the way you educate yourself about these topics. I am originally from Congo DRC 🇨🇩 and it is part of Central Africa. Fufu is also a dish there. This is actually a dish that is found in multiple countries in Africa. Food in Africa is complex because dishes can vary dipending on the location (even inside a given country). I guess this is the same for other types of cuisine around the world, but this is something that we have to keep in mind in these conversations as well ( I am referring to what Jouelzy talked about concerning her experience at the Nigerian restaurant). Love from France

[@leahh.6277]

I didn't even know about this challenge.. but I agree with you 100%. I've traveled around the world and work with a variety of cultures (Asian, African, Mexican, Gernan, French, Dutch, etc) who have brought dishes into the office from their homeland and have learned to be tactful if I don't like. Most of the ppl in the US, especially black people, haven't been anywhere or tried anything outside of Americanized Chinese food and Jamaican food.. Ppl really need to travel more and stop being so rude in their descriptions of things they don't care for. It's ok to not like something, but you don't have to degrade it, in your description.

[@belle4148]

None of the people involved were black Americans

[@13579hee]

@@belle4148 EXACTLY...... most of them were black Canadians

[@13579hee]

And I'm sure the majority of the 41 people who liked your original comment are probably not ethnically Black American and only like you're coming because you're peddling the narrative that Black Americans are ignorant 🤦🏿 you're a whole ass clown

[@Monaedeezy]

I wish people can travel the USA more and realize that we’ve mf diverse in this country for like centuries! It helps that the ones outside of the USA really educate themselves too!

[@Monaedeezy]

Chile! When y’all gone learn?!

[@ayenayaa3958]

What????? I’m not Nigerian but Nigerian food is so so good. I love how diverse and complex Nigerian food is.

[@SuperMariposa91]

I did find that people from Asian countries eg Koreans appreciated the food more.

[@jhene19]

I have seen Caucasian people enjoy it also so its slightly an excuse

[@dscwisdom]

Thanks for the Carolina shout outs in Black American culture

[@kea768]

The xenophobia you described in this video was in the opposite direction. Africans were just minding their merry fufu business 1 day when a trend popped up. Also...”grits” to me (not mashed potatoes) is the American version/adaptation of fufu/pap.

[@ninagolgi3132]

Yes, everyone's palate is developed differently, but at the end of the day this speaks more to their home training. No reasonable people act that way about food, especially someone else's cultural food. It's shameful.

[@19Hollisterchick90]

I've only tried fufu once. It was a show and tell item from a classmate in first grade. I remember everyone liking it. I have wondered if it's one of those things that tastes better homemade vs store bought like many foods. Anyhow, it's a weird trend. People eating food not having a clue what's in it, already knowing they won't like it is just weird. Theyll do anything to go viral.

[@vokeadebayo5701]

Egusi refers to the melon seed it is made from so you can use any type of leaf to make it - depending on your preference, being spinach or bitterleaf or ugwu (pumpkin leaves). It just depends on how you make it

[@reasc2071]

So from her video with her friend who said it wasn't Egusi, are you saying that it was Egusi and that it was made with bitterleaf?

[@vokeadebayo5701]

@@reasc2071 exactly

[@Mickeii617]

You look so pretty 💞💞 I agree you have to have the range to know what you're ordering. I've never eaten African cuisine before. However, I have eaten Korean and if you don't know what your order like with anything. You're probably not going to like it. I feel like there's just certain things if you're not used to it you should go with someone who knows what the food should taste like

[@tenaciousmaytaurus2]

The Nigerian restaurants in Houston I’ve tried have been disappointing, the taste and prices don’t match. I’ll take the 3 hours drive to get my dad’s cooking or cook myself lol

[@11crystaln]

I went to Houston recently and had suya and fried plantain. Suya is basically a meat kebab with spicy seasoning. Very delicious! I’d definitely urge you to try other, less foreign Nigerian dishes to start because we have some nice ones. That’s if you’re still interested to try 😊

[@harmonyae7033]

@@11crystaln I think this person is Nigerian, sis. She said she or her dad can cook Nigerian foods.

[@11crystaln]

@@harmonyae7033 my bad! Just realized that. But I agree, the home cooked stuff is better if you go to the right person.

[@RichRootz]

Texture will get me every time. I love fish, but if I hit a bone 😳 I don’t want it NO MO😳 🍅 love them raw, can’t stand them cooked. So weird , right. 👍🏾✌🏾

[@MsBrwnBunni]

You hit the nail right on the head Jouelzy. Even though I'm originally from Alabama and moved Midwest; I never grew up eating other southern cuisine like "TexMex" or typical Midwestern dishes. It just wasn't a thing in my household. My family cooked very traditional southern dishes. However, the older I get the more willing I am to step outside of that but, I WILL NOT do that without doing proper research about it or asking someone who's familiar with the dish how does it taste, what's in it, how it's suppose to be made and how can I make it at home. It's just not a fair game when you don't do research on things; especially when it comes to food.

[@WhoCares3001]

Growing up in nyc and eating so many different cuisines this whole thing yhriws me for a loop.

[@kimberley3577]

You look pretty 😍😍 Also, I'm Ghanaian. I like fufu. I don't love it. It's ayt. But it is a staple in many Ghanaian households and I would never go to someone's house in Kumasi for example, ASK for fufu (because if you bought it, you asked for it), taste it and spit it out. That would be rude, crass and unnecessary. You don't HAVE to like it but you don't have to disrespect it. "This isn't for me/I don't enjoy it" would have sufficed

[@LetsTalkAboutLaMode]

I'm from cameroonian descent and growing up I *HATED* (dried) fish in the dishes. It's only now that I started to appreciate it.

[@imtime22]

The diaspora wars are real. On twitter someone said fufu is nasty, and someone responded you’re a kidnapped african and I snapped.

[@MrOu83]

Attribute it to self-loathing among Black people across the diaspora. Sad.

[@childofyah5763]

We’re not Africans check out the book Africans and native Americans by jack Forbes also check out the documentary tracking the first Americans and look up paper genocide of American Indians

[@opeyemiadegoke361]

@@childofyah5763 nobody wanted you to be African the largest group of melanated people is in Africa so it's understandable to say the vast majority of AA are traced to Africa ...so miss me with the unecessary Anti Africaness

[@childofyah5763]

@@opeyemiadegoke361 I’m not anti African for saying we’re aren’t Africans. shit y’all hate us more than we hate y’all. only geneology records can trace somebody back somewhere, ancestry DNA tests can’t, it has been proven to be inaccurate. many people have taken a ancestry dna test numerous times from different companies and they all had drastically different results. theres even an African man who took the test and it didn’t even trace him to the right country in Africa, also on the box and the websites it says for entertainment purposes only.the lead scientist will tell you the same thing. Someone also submitted there dogs saliva and then ended up gettting back results but it’s human ancestry DNA tests how is that possible lol. these are the same tests that say Egyptians were white lol and a lot of african know we were already in the America’s pre Colombus.

[@opeyemiadegoke361]

@@childofyah5763 Africans don't hate you that's what the gentrified western media has made you see about Africans more like we want to connect with you AAs but the division is so deep that we don't even see that in the guys of oppressors we are viewed as the same enough of all this unecessary bashing and segregation...

[@trinajame5208]

Black peoples need to start respecting each other all around. Black Americans to Africans and vice versa. Was it not last month Black British and Black Americans were quarreling on Twitter? We must stop fighting amongst ourselves and disrespecting each other, we only lose when this happens, it is foolish. When someone calls you a slur are you going to say "wait no I am African"? When the US police stop you for no reason are you going to say "wait no I'm black British"? When they yell "go back to Africa" will you say "wait no I am black American"‽ I can guarantee you they do not care, so why do you? They will insult us all and we turn around and spend our energy insulting each other, arguing about who which one of us deserves to be insulted or why it is okay for one of us to insult the other. This infighting and desire to prove one group is better than the other is foolish. No we are not all the same but we are not enemies either.

[@13579hee]

I find it really interesting that when people trying to say to Black Americans "people might not like your food too" they always name chitterlings & pigs feet. The reason I find that to be interesting is because it signals to me that those are the only two standout foods in Black American Cuisine that are probably deem "nasty" to most people who are not black American. The truth is, most of what we eat this either already liked by the general public in America (regardless of peoples ethnic backgrounds) or food is too personal to our ethnic group and so people who outside of our ethnic group know nothing of it. Our food and rather common in America and so it's really difficult for most people to even part their lips and attempt to say that they live in America and don't eat black American food. That's the gag

[@andeendrayton1253]

I must be too old. When I was coming up, it was understood you didn't insult people's food because that was the same as insulting them. If you start eating it you better finish...but leave a little on the plate to show some manners (i.e. you get food at home, you're not starving. 😁) Definitely have a guide from said culture when trying new foods. Not only do you get the best quality, but they can explain things to you. My first time trying authentic Chinese food, I NEEDED a guide. Twice boiled chicken? Preserved egg? Congee? Wut!?!?! But let me tell you, by the time we were done, I haven't eaten a chicken ball or sweet and sour anything since. Gimme di real ting! 😅 Still some of the best chicken wings tho....you know it's true 😋

[@MrOu83]

While I agree that one should not be rude or disrespectful when trying someone else’s food, I disagree that people should eat food that they don’t like simply because it has been put on their plates. People who serve you should understand that not everything they make will appeal to everyone, and is not to be taken personally. For example, bananas don’t like me and I don’t like them. In fact, they nauseate me. I someone serves me banana pudding, I am not going to eat it. If necessary, I will politely explain to the host that I have an allergy to banana.

[@thewordsmith5440]

Not liking two dishes from someone's culture does not mean you hate all the foods in that culture.

[@andeendrayton1253]

@@thewordsmith5440 It's not about not liking it, but how one handles it when putting it out there for views.

[@Kinksgalore]

I just thought AaliyahJ went to the wrong Nigerian restaurant. Can't eat everybody's cookin. African or not that's why Yelp was created.

[@annlamptey9650]

Right I will always eat my mothers fufu but not anybody else’s 🙅🏾‍♀️

[@ajo8075]

Eh even if she did go to a restaurant that didn't make egusi well, her reaction was just messed up. Same if she just doesn't like egusi it's messed up. Half my immediate family doesn't like it and half does, it's not for everyone lol But I don't think it was a bad restaurant because her bf was saying it tasted bad while licking his fingers lmao... I think they were playing it up for the cameras smh she very well may not have liked it but I don't think it was as extremely disgusting to her as she acted like

[@Kinksgalore]

@@ajo8075 Most of you didn't see her first reaction before it got edited out. You don't know the name of the restaurant but say it wasn't the restaurant. Your friends and family opinion on want she ate has no bearing on her experience.

[@ajo8075]

@@Kinksgalore why are you treating my comment like an attack? It wasn't. But if you want to go there, no shit my family members experience has no bearing on hers, where did I ever say that? What I did say was that even within my family people don't like egusi, because it is just is not for everyone. So especially when it comes to Americans, even if it was good egusi someone very easily may not like it. I said nothing about knowing the restaurant, lmao literally said *I think* it wasn't a bad restaurant because her boyfriend licking the egusi off his fingers indicates it likely was actually good egusi. But once again like my point before even if it was good egusi someone could easily dislike it. Whether it was well made or not it may have tasted terrible to her, but regardless of how it tasted to her, her reaction (the reaction she decided to film, edit, and upload publicly online) was uncalled for and disrespectful af.

[@Kinksgalore]

@@ajo8075 I'm not reading your response but you are doing to much.

[@NylaTonYae]

Hey Jouelzy! Where did you get your hair from? I have been trying to find a Sza inspired wig for the longest 😩lol. It looks really good on you 😍😍😍

[@jouelzy]

It's hair that I sell. This wig I tried to sell for over a year! Once it didn't sell, I just cut a bang into.

[@WildSeed111]

@@jouelzy whaaa I didn’t know you sold wigs! Can you ship this one to me 🥺😂

[@naturallyti6256]

Hey Jouelzy. I grew up with a Nigerian step parent. Fufu is delicious but with stew. You can also substitute fufu with green plantain. I don’t know why they did it with egusi (I probably spelled that wrong) I think egusi is an acquired taste to be honest. Try again with stew y’all. Especially fresh shrimp or chicken stew.

[@Multilovinglove]

you'd most likely get videos of people asking why they're eating bananas with a stew? the combination of sweet plantains and. stew is another flavor profile that people have to get used to.

[@naturallyti6256]

@@Multilovinglove a lot of black people put sugar or honey In their spaghetti sauce. We definitely do sweet and sour, sweet and spicy and sweet and tangy. But I understand where you’re coming from

[@Myaccount923]

So in Nigeria we do eat it with soups like egusi as well. I think it’s different in different cultures but I’ve tried it with stew too all delicious!

[@jermikabradberry5503]

Went to UH. Grew up in SE TX. In the dorms a Naija girl’s mom brought her some egusi/fufu and some fish stew. It had a strong smell....but so does seafood gumbo. She offered me some and I was more partial to the fish stew but I really just thought it was cool they shared a meal with me. Those clips were so cringe. I don’t know how ppl could think it’s okay to RECORD themselves being so damned ignorant. Gross. Shoots. Now I want some fish stew and jollof...

[@AdeolaSpeaks]

Congolease are considered Central African 🇨🇩🇨🇬 love the breakdown Jouelzy!🤗

[@Belihoney]

I didn't grow up with African countries food but I love egusi soup and poundedyam lol

[@TraceTrace25]

Same! Licking my fingers and all. SO damn good.

[@MynameisNOTthepoint]

You look amazing. It’s that black girl glow for me!

[@kamaria4751]

Obviously with COVID it’s harder. But it’s best to try these foods in someone’s home or an African party event . The experience has always been wonderful having my black American friends try my or my moms food. Ive honestly never had West African food that was done well at a restaurant.

[@MimiMoments]

Gambian - American here and you hit the nail on the head! I too do not like crayfish/dry shrimp seasoning so I’m more partial to foods from Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Mali.

[@josephinebournes8212]

As a Haitian-American, I'm partial to the Caribbean / Latin American flavors. When I can't get Haitian food, Jamaican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, etc., tend to be decent substitutes.

[@MimiMoments]

@@josephinebournes8212 Jamaican food and Dominican food hitssssss too. I went a Haitian party one time and I ate everything that wasn't pork. AMAZING.

[@8ThatUp2]

Hey joulzey!!! Love your hair and the entire look!!💟 I'm excited to watch this video to hear what you have to say. Parasitology work can wait for a little while longer😅😅 I don't know why people didn't do research before doing the challenge. Even over here in NC pork bbq isn't the same at every resteraunt and it is a part of our culture. I'd try an african dish if I had an african friend who could break everything down to me. Honestly I don't even like most soul food due to how picky I am so I would never jump to eating something from another culture. I agree that a lot of the AA who did this challenge are ignorant but a lot of the hatred towards AA was unwarranted. I'm glad you are speaking out about it.

[@smilergal89]

The first time I ate East African food (Ethiopian/Eritrean) I wasn’t a huge fan of injera but I enjoyed the experience with my two East African friends - the tibs (I think that what they’re call - side elements) made the meal much better for me. Having people from that culture there was helpful but I don’t think that should stop people from exploring other cultures.

[@AlegraGreen]

As Cameroonian...we also have a dish that we call fufu (even thought we have different dishes that are in the same form but made of different ingredients...anyway). I was kinda surprised to see this challenge with people being so "disgusted". I mean, I guess it depends on the sauce that you eat with fufu and I can agree that when it comes to Cameroonian food, you need to find someone who can actually cook that well otherwise it will probably be an oily mess. However, I feel like fufu is actually relatively pleasant when it comes to the texture (I actually really enjoy the texture of it!) and the taste is mild. Again, it depends on the sauce that comes with it and I didn't look in details into what they were actually eating but I can just think "really...? smh". Then again, I also understand the fact that being able to to enjoy some foods come with habits and some people are only exposed to salty/sweet/mildly spicy food.

[@KK-pu8tr]

Congolese people are considered Central african. That’s why we aren’t necessarily familiar with every kind of west african food. We do eat fufu too but we cook it differently. I think congolese food is a mixture of west African food and carribean food 🥘

[@jmoney20106]

Yeah they should of brought Congolese perspective on this Congo is a very diverse and big country so our dishes, depending on the region, would be a mix of west African, East African, South African, Sudanic with some Caribbean something like that.

[@sabinamiezah9800]

I think I kind of understand the comments made by the British Nigerians, mainly because as African immigrants this has been a constant battle between us and Black-Americans specifically. I remember going to school with jollof rice (as in literally tomato rice and occasionally meat- JOLLOF) and many black Americans would insult it solely because it was an African dish. I think most of us are tired of hearing the “that shit stinks” or “ewww how can you eat that comments” especially considering that shaming our culture is now a socially acceptable “trend”. Obviously there’s no excuses for the rude comments that they made but I do see where it’s coming from. I also think this division within the diaspora is coming from a romanticized Euro-centric culture that we’re used to seeing in western countries but nobody wanna talk about that🤧

[@ChezzaOuttaNowhere]

Ughhhh i love your nuance!!! I swear you are a full on queen. I do love egusi and fufu. I usually get chicken or goat. It is made differently around Houston than in Brooklyn in terms if Nigerian American restaurants. The first time i tried Nigerian food I didn’t like it and I got sick. Then i started eating Ethiopian food ALOT then also a lot of Korean food, then i went back to Nigerian food and it was so bomb to me. And was the exact same restaurant i went to the first time. So you’re right, its not the best entry point when you’re getting used to the spice palette.

[@LUX_8]

Your comments on flavor profiles is spot-on! I wasn't aware of this fufu challenge. I am both offended and disgusted by those over-the-top reactions! And I'm not EVEN Nigerian! Nevertheless, even within Asian, East Indian, Latin cuisine are dishes that the causal diner COULD/WOULD NOT EAT! Respect and being open-minded goes a long way!

[@auroraborealis2187]

Thank you for your exploration of this challenge. Egusi is an acquired taste, and understanding the proper way to cook it is dependent on the region. There needs to be a level of respect whenever a person is exploring culture engagement especially through food.

[@glimpseofj5184]

Loved this because a lot of Africans used this to really say how they felt about Black Americans

[@BrooklyntoBrixton]

British Nigerians are always going off on Twitter. If they're not insulting British Jamaicans they're posting pics of people from Love and Hip Hop and saying all Black Americans can't dress. The challenge was rude and ignorant but British Naijas were gonna hate Africans Americans regardless.

[@dreski9591]

Funny fact aaliyah jay Trinidad and her BF is kenya

[@tlightsylvan]

thank you for always providing context with your videos. everyone wanna talk about stuff without ever explaining what the hell they talking about and I'm always lost. 🥲

[@MelitaRichardson]

You are giving me 1960’s GLOW! YASSSSSSSS!

[@biharcourt]

The music in the Nigerian restaurant is sending me 🤣🤣🤣 It's like any local restaurant in Nigeria.

[@BrooklyntoBrixton]

Yes the South Africans are always starting drama and getting away unscathed. I love them. They watch more American TV shows and movies than we do.

[@hlakanipetros6670]

What

[@thandisilec835]

Lol you guys are getting us involved in this mess for no reason.We aren’t really into AA vs African beef because most of us never been in the US nor we move out of SA at rate of rest of Africa...but yes we like drama because we just don’t like peace lol but it’s never the real diaspora wars that AAs and West Africans and East Africans have in the US. We are just not in the US in enough numbers to care that much unless it’s banter and shit we start on social and internet for shit & giggles. We like American shows and music though😊 And oh Trump also kept us entertained

[@Chloeeezyyy]

@@thandisilec835 aa just mind our business and people attack. Doesn’t matter the color. Want everything aa create but are constantly on the attack. The vast majority of the people who did the challenge weren’t even aa.

[@ee8955]

@@thandisilec835 But kodwa guys, did this start in SA or bayasisukela 😭😭😭

[@ashlouw5350]

Lol..Did this challenge start in Mzanzi? I doubt it. SA is always villainize and most of the time we don't even know .This is a surprise to me

[@yvonnetatah2084]

What she said!!! Honestly, you need a more complex pallet to appreciate a variety of African food. I have had, Indian, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese cuisine and there is nothing that comes close to some African dishes, so don't come with your expectations, and be open to experiencing new things. Ask what's in the food and how to eat it. Sometimes you have to try something several times to enjoy it. And start with the easy dishes.

[@blackrose3019]

I have had the soup before. the first thought I had is that this is like gumbo or a variation of it...Everything starts somewhere...Louisiana All day...

[@TititoDeBologay]

Black Colombians and Venezuelans have their version of Gombo, mostly seafood and chorizo type of meat and it’s to die for.

[@mame3241]

Great Analysis as always and just to add to your point: 1. we don't have the same taste buds 2. everyone makes egusi and fufu differently( i have had some not so good foods) 3. Not every food is made the same! it's like the saying "u don't eat at everyone's house") 4. fufu is not the same in every country. u can't eat ghana fufu with egusi because it's not meant for that sauce it's meant for some types of soup. you only eat egusi with pounded yam which looks like fufu but tastes different. I'm Ghanaian by the way and I know what I'm saying and also give people grace y'all

[@torilovebyrd8418]

I’m American by birth and I LOVE FUFU😩 but it ain’t for everybody. Only one of my babies eats it with me. Honestly I think if they found a recipe and made it themselves they’d probably enjoy it more, because the restaurants I’ve been to aren’t that great in my opinion. I got my recipes directly from the African (Malian and Nigérian) women I braid with. They don’t like the restaurants here in America either.

[@zgurl94]

I know a lot of chicken finger and french fry eating niggas lol, in the respect that they rarely eat foods outside of AA and American culture. Some of these same folks love chitlins, head cheese (IYKYK), and pig feet though, but would probably have a lot to say about fufu and other dishes from the challenge. It’s insane that both of my grandparents eat the same foods all the time, but my dad is the only one who enjoys trying new foods and has encouraged us (his kids) to do so as well, so for that I am grateful.

[@zgurl94]

Also, the okra soup is something I’d know to stay away from just from other experiences. My grandma loves boiled okra and would serve it all the time at Sunday dinner with collard greens. The texture 🤢 It was a hard pass for me 😂 but I was never disrespectful about it. I think it’s just home training. And I like okra, just fried or in tomato okra stew.

[@SSRIs]

Jouelzy! You’re so pretty & I LOVE this wig. If you choose to sell it in the future I call first dibs on purchasing it from you 😂 lbvvvs. And as always, great commentary. I agree with you 100%

[@WhitneyUwandu]

haven’t finished watching yet but that title- THANKKKKK 👏🏾 YOUUUUU 👏🏾 OMFG 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@mambamed8345]

Jouelzy is gonna be the first person to convince me to get a patreon lol

[@naakai6397]

Same. I will definitely join. Trying to pay off one credit card and that'll give ne the chance to support her. Been following her from Natural hair days. Love me some Jouelzy

[@GalaxyGirlie]

Jouelzy I must say, the hair, the face and the enthusiasm was EVERYTHING in this video! In my head, I feel like we BFF lol! I always feel smarter watching you!

[@AKTangelo]

Congo is central 🇨🇩 , shout to the fam !!

[@lalad.7537]

The good sis always giving us contextual depth to every conversation allowing us to really think before we do things & before we react & to top off she does it while looking effortlessly pretty my fave since ‘15.

[@redGingema]

People who don't like fufu should try chłodec. it's a meat jelly made by cooking bones and pieces of meat for hours. it's very good if you add a little mustard.

[@Call-me-Al]

You mean meat aspic? I love it but a lot of people are grossed out by the texture and flavour :(

[@pepperAnge_]

This video was SO necessary Jouelzy, thanks. And ,not just cause of your organized thoughtful points, but also because you've explored these cultures yourself.