On my mom's side of the family I am 3rd gen, so our history is fairly known. Unlike that of my father's who was brought to America in chains by people who did absolutely everything in there power to call for the erasure of culture, history and ethnic and personal identity. We created our own, we used our blues to create rock and roll and thrown out scraps to innovate the most delicious and complex dishes. This is what brings me to the object I chose, the fish fry pot. Something so simple, brought so much joy to my community because the pot symbolized all coming together to sit and share a meal. The metallic clatter of the fish fry being brought out from underneath the short, brown cupboard of the doily laced shelves my grandmother laid meant someone was celebrating something, a promotion, a paycheck, anything. It showed black resilience and joy in times where it wasn't given to us and that is why the fish fry pot means so much to me. 

– N.G

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant