(Photo Credit: The Cartoon Network)
In the United States, we are embarking on another three-day holiday, Labor Day weekend. According to the U.S. Department of Labor:
“Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”
In true American fashion, Labor Day has become less about the celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers, and more about leisure time activities, most of which are admittedly well-earned due to the increasing demands placed on workers in the workplace.
Ironically, Labor Day weekend is filled with all kinds of labor – organizing outings, dealing with copious amounts of traffic congestion, and of course toiling over a hot grill or stove, making food that will be devoured over the course of the weekend. Labor Day Weekend food menus vary from healthy to unhealthy, decadent to organic, simple to complex and everything in between.
With all of the health issues plaguing the country in general (obesity) and people of color specifically (diabetes and hypertension), The Burton Wire would like to encourage you to eat healthy during Labor Day weekend. There is a movement of people of color taking control of their health and fighting against diseases and health conditions that plague the community, especially young people. As we celebrate Labor Day, remember the work that everyone can do, which is taking care of h/er body.
How fitting is it that I came across a Looney Tunes cartoon this morning espousing the virtues of healthy eating. In an episode entitled, “Best Friends Redux” (Season 2, episode 25), Looney Tunes reminds kids and arguably adults to eat healthily by watching portion control, choosing good carbs and eating mostly fruits and vegetables. In the form of a Western, the episode takes us back into the past to see how Long-Haired Drifter (Bugs Bunny) and Black Bart (Daffy Duck) eventually became best friends despite major differences including eating habits. How did this occur? By agreeing to choose healthy ways of eating which translates into healthy ways of living i.e. solid friendships.
Check out the episode here and keep the pointers in mind as you celebrate Labor Day. Please have a safe and happy weekend!
This post was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of the award-winning news site, The Burton Wire. Follow her on Twitter @Ntellectual.
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