BigAppleStyle

dorianandeloywedding:

I’m just going to say it: 

The NYC chapters of the NAACP & HF (Hispanic Foundation) fighting the city’s soda ban legislation…WHEN DOING IT WITH FUNDING PROVIDED BY COCA-COLA…is beyond suspect. 

Obesity affects the minority communities (and specifically African American & Hispanic Americans who are 1st & 2nd in the US with excessive obese rates) especially hard. And the NAACP’s claim that the soda ban will only adversely effect minority owned businesses is ridiculous. This smacks of the what was once a very regal institution becoming the sad mouth piece for a major corporation’s agenda. 

As an African American, I know that just my genetic ancestry can make me predisposed to things that some of my other racial counterparts may not face: hypertension, diabetes, and more. African Americans disproportionately suffer from the above (and obesity) at a higher rate than their racial counterparts. So, I have a hard time supporting the NAACP’s attempts to side with “big business” on this when it directly contradicts the purpose of the NAACP - to support and defend the overall African American community and push for their betterment. 

No one needs more than 16oz of sugar loaded sodas or super sweet “fruit juices” in one serving. Excessive sugar intake is directly linked to diabetes, obesity and a host of other health issues. And considering the rising costs of health care in the US (and specifically in NYC), no one should be fighting this ban. And for the record, this doesn’t mean that consumers can’t buy 2L bottles of soda and drink the whole darn thing when they’re at home. It just means that you can’t buy excessively large quantities in restaurants/bodegas/delis for immediate consumption. 

NYC has a history of health related initiatives:

1. We banned trans fats
2. We required all restaurants to post caloric values for all meals on their menu (especially QSR’s - Quick Serve Restaurants).

We’re all still here. And in some people’s cases, seeing exactly how much that Big Mac will set you back against your daily recommended caloric intake, made them rethink their choices. And it also forced more QSR’s to offer “healthier” alternatives to their usual fare. 

So on this topic, I say shame on you NAACP & HF for kowtowing to one of your biggest donors rather than actually supporting the communities who rely on you. 

I posted this to the wrong blog initially! ^_^

But the message is important so it’s worth the double post!