Generally, the first thing that pops in my head when I hear the term "food fight" is a massive chaotic outbreak of kids throwing food meaninglessly across the cafeteria. However, after reading an interesting npr article by a man named Kristofor Husted I have learned a new, more symbolic use for food. The article discusses the use of so called "food fights" in history to spread messages and protest government actions. This idea dates back to the late 1700's where a large group of American colonists dressed like Indians dumped 45 tons of the British Parliaments tea overboard three ships in the Boston Harbor. This was done to protest the taxes British Parliament was placing on colonists at the time due to debt and pre-revolutionary war tensions. This event, famously known as "The Boston Tea Party" was just one of many other "food fight" stunts to protest the government. The article references a very recent act where 500 tacos appeared in the mayor's office in East Haven, Connecticut, and no they were not for an annual banquet luncheon. According to Kristofor, "This truckload of tacos was meant to be a symbol of discontent". Kristofor accurately states the intended symbol for not only these tacos, but all dissenting actions involving food, is discontent. As it turns out, these tacos were sent by an immigration reform group in response to a racist comment by Mayor Joseph Maturo referencing Latinos and tacos. These rebellious protests involving tacos, along with tea, pie, and even eggs, are fueled by the discontent and demand for change. The freedom to protest peacefully in America gives way to very elaborate and meaningful actions that spread strong messages, If not through food, then other rebellious actions as well.
Another very recent act of protest involves Wikipedia's "Blackout" in response to the SOPA(Stop Online Privacy Act) and PIPA(Protect IP Act) acts. In a nutshell if passed, theses acts would limit and monitor what is expressed on the world wide web. As a result, internet companies like Reddit will not continue to run.
What are some other types of "unique" protests?
What are some positive and negative impacts of a so called "food fight" against government?
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