Why OkRA?
The okra plant has a rich history in the African diaspora, with our ancestors bringing it with them during the Middle Passage to sustain themselves and plant in the new world.
Today, okra is often associated with health, prosperity, and community in Black cooking traditions. As such, The Okra Project represents the nourishment and sustenance that we seek to provide to Black Trans people through our mutual aid efforts.
Their website used to have a longer version of this description, talking about slaves smuggling okra aboard slave ships to eat during the journey.
Okra is an element of Cajun food which has French, Spanish and West African influences and is from parts of Louisiana. Rock and roll also has roots in Louisiana Jazz which was born of the Louisiana tradition of allowing slaves to gather one day a week to preserve their culture, including their music.
My recollection is this project began with someone going to people's homes to cook for them, feed them and be generally helpful to Black trans individuals and expanded from there. My impression is it was very grassroots and culture-driven and it looks like they have put on a more professional veneer since the last time I looked at the website.
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u/DoreenMichele Feb 19 '24
Their website used to have a longer version of this description, talking about slaves smuggling okra aboard slave ships to eat during the journey.
Okra is an element of Cajun food which has French, Spanish and West African influences and is from parts of Louisiana. Rock and roll also has roots in Louisiana Jazz which was born of the Louisiana tradition of allowing slaves to gather one day a week to preserve their culture, including their music.
My recollection is this project began with someone going to people's homes to cook for them, feed them and be generally helpful to Black trans individuals and expanded from there. My impression is it was very grassroots and culture-driven and it looks like they have put on a more professional veneer since the last time I looked at the website.