Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest revision - October 19, 2026
This is Part II of a three part pancocojams series about the Black American saying that non-Black people can be or have been "invited to the Cookout".
This post presents information, opinions, and comments about that saying.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/10/a-probably-unplanned-2024-video-of.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post showcases a YouTube video that went viral of Sam Sanchez, a White man from Chicago, Illinois allegedly performing the Percolator dance during a cruise in 2024. That video may have been taped without Sam Sanchez's foreknowledge.
That pancocojams post also includes a YouTube video of a 2025 television news interview with Sam Sanchez about that viral dance video.
Selected comments from the discussion threads of those two YouTube videos are included in that post.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/10/opinions-about-whether-sam-sanchez-and.html for Part III of this pancocojams series. This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube video of Sam Sanchez, a White man who is allegedly performing the Percolator dance. SkinBone, a Black American man who is a YouTube influencer/video publisher, joins Sanchez for parts of that dance.
****
The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural and linguistic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all of those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/10/why-are-some-african-american-social.html for Part I of a three part closely related pancocojams post entitled "Why Are Some African American Social Dances With The Same Name Performed Differently By African Americans In Different United States Cities, States, or Regions (with a focus on the Percolator Dance)." That post presents opinions about why African Americans (within the same period of time and/or during later periods of time)* have the same name for social dances that are performed differently depending on what city, or part of the same city, or state/region in the United States that the dancers live/d in. The links to the other posts in that series are given in that post.
Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/07/the-real-meaning-of-african-american.html "The REAL Meaning Of "Invited To The Cookout" In African American Culture" for a 2020 pancocojams post on this subject and click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/07/what-disinvited-to-cookout-means-in.html "What "Dis-invited to the Cookout" Means In African American Culture" for a 2020 pancocojams post on a closely related subject.
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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S EXPLANATION OF "THE COOKOUT" /"THE BBQ" AS USED IN AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE [written in 2020]
"The Cookout (or "the BBQ") in the context of African American culture is a reference for actual informal social events as well as the concept of informal spaces where Black people can relax, let down our guard, and “be [for] real” because the only people who are in those spaces are other Black people who have our well-being at heart and possibly some non-Black people who have proven that they are our allies (i.e. They also have our well-being at heart.)
****
I'm an African American woman who attended and graduated from a small Northeastern college from 1965-1969 where for two years there were only three Black women and three Black men who lived on campus. When I started my freshmen year at that college, I was approached by a Black student in the cafeteria who invited me to join some other students who were seated at what I called "the Black table". I declined that invitation and remained with my newly met White roommate. However, by the end of that freshmen year I usually sat at that Black table and hung around the small group of Black students who either lived on campus or commuted to that campus.
I did so in part because I was tired of what I call "the White gaze" and the White lack of knowledge about Black life. I needed a time when I was free from the White gaze and the (I believe) mostly curious, non-racist questions about Black life in and outside of the news.
(I include seemingly little things such as why I greased my hair and whether I got a suntan and larger things such as why Black people "rioted" after Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. Because of my experiences in that college, I can understand the reasons why some Black people want to hold the conceptual "Black Cookout" off limits for non-Black people.
However, when it comes to actual cookouts, I also believe that a person shouldn't be automatically rejected from attendance at any public space or private event because of identifiers such as their race or ethnicity. Furthermore, people who are invited to a social event are usually known by the hostess/host of that event or is known by another person who is attending that event. My assumption is that the invited person has the approval of those people regardless of their race/ethnicity or any other descriptors. I rely on that approval until the person violates the criteria under which that approval is given.
A non-Black person shouldn't be invited to an actual Black cookout simply because of the way that person dances or because of other superficial cultural behaviors.
I'm documenting the opinions about this subject for historical and socio-cultural purposes. I'm interested in your position about whether non-Black people should be invited to "conceptual" Black cookouts and/or actual Black cookouts. Please share your opinions in the discussion thread below along with your comments about how and why you formed those opinions. Thanks!
****
AI OVERVIEW ABOUT THE TERM "BEING INVITED TO THE COOKOUT"
This write-up is the result of my October 17, 2026 Google Search query "What does non-Black people being invited to the cookout mean?" [quoted without citations]
Cultural Acceptance: It functions as a playful badge of honor or a metaphorical "seal of approval" from the Black community.
Demonstrated Allyship: It is typically said when an outsider
does something that proves they respect or understand Black culture, rather
than just mocking or stereotyping it.
Community and Belonging: A real Black cookout represents a safe space of joy, family, and comfort. Extending an "invite" means someone outside the culture is viewed as safe, cool, or aligned with the community.
How the Joke Works
No Official Committee: Internet jokes often reference a
fictional "Cookout Committee" that supposedly votes on these honorary
invitations.
Revoking the Invite: People frequently debate what actions
can get someone instantly "uninvited" (such as making offensive
remarks, acting entitled, or bringing poorly prepared food to a real
gathering)."
-snip-
This write-up doesn't mention that part of the "invited
to the cookout" concept is that Black individuals can be temporarily or permanently disinvited to "the cookout" in its conceptual form because their words or actions have been considered to be detrimental to and/or disrespectful towards other Black people.
****
EXCERPT OF A 2024 INTERNET ARTICLE ABOUT "INVITING NON-BLACK PEOPLE TO THE COOKOUT" THAT WAS WRITTEN BY A BLACK AMERICAN MAN
From https://www.basementmedicine.org/arts-entertainment/2024/09/24/the-cookout-what-it-is-and-why-youre-not-invited/ "The cookout: what it is and why you’re not invited" by Dayne Bell • September 24, 2024
"If you’re Black, you’ve been to a cookout.
In REAL LIFE, cookouts are social gatherings that we (Black
people)* hold to get together. Someone could host a cookout to celebrate a
birthday, a graduation, or simply because the weather’s nice…
To most of us, their purpose is to bring together a
community, and for no other reason than to enjoy one another.
On the internet though, “The Cookout” has become short-hand
for Black acceptance or approval.
[…]
While it is largely intended to be a joke, initially being used in response to white people who dance well or season their food properly, the bit has become touchy when used in reaction to activism on social media. A non-Black person on the internet could get “invited” for CLAIMING they’re not racist, CLAIMING they find Black people attractive, or for demonstrating any degree of association with ANYTHING aligned with Blackness.
People have begun to complain about invites being “given out
to anybody,” spurring a more important conversation about Black celebration of
“bare minimum” activism. Does that girl who “doesn’t say the n-word” deserve
applause? Should we give an award to the guy who buys from Black-owned
businesses in February? Am I gonna introduce you to my grandmother because you
know what Kanekalon is?
In general, giving an online invite to “the cookout” is the
equivalent of giving a Grammy to a SoundCloud rapper. You’re not there yet, no
one knows who you are, and a lot of people are gonna get pissed off if you show
up.
*I KNOW Black people aren’t the only people that have
cookouts. But this cookout, THE Cookout, refers solely to the Black kind."
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM A 2025 REDDIT DISCUSSION THREAD ABOUT NON-BLACK PEOPLE BEING INVITED TO THE COOKOUT
From https://www.reddit.com/r/BlackPeopleTwitter/comments/1ogpro6/this_is_why_i_cringe_when_a_oh_they_know_how_to/ "This is why I cringe when a “oh they know how to ( insert a popular Black line dance) ? They invited to the cookout” tweet comes across my timeline. Our standards can be low sometimes"
All of these comments are from 2025. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.
****
r/BlackPeopleTwitter
1. detox02
"This is why I cringe when a “oh they know how to ( insert a
popular Black line dance) ? They invited to the cookout” tweet comes across my
timeline. Our standards can be low sometimes"
**
2. but-whyy-tho
"Gatekeeping is okay! Let's go back to doing that"
**
3. pm_me_tits_and_tats
..."There will unfortunately always be people seeking white
approval and giving out secrets 😔"
4.
" “ giving out secrets”
The secrets are gonna work their way through the culture
through the normal cultural exchange routs in general society."
**
5. Lion_Spencer
"I’ve never understood how people can be genuinely upset
about white folks they don’t know being invited to a fictional cookout. It’s
really not that deep, just a playful figure of speech. Why is this worth a
post?"
**
6. Aggravating_Usual973
"The “cookout” bit allows my lazy white cousins to treat Bp
as a game to be won rather than as a marginalized collective of neighbors and
loved ones whose plight demands more allegiance than that.
The bit is a laurel for wp to rest on so that he can feel
offended when truly challenged."
**
7. champ999
"Some people don't understand the difference between being
amicable and making yourself easy to take advantage of. And to be fair, some
people do their best to make it impossible to tell their intentions towards
you.
Being a grumpy cynic is bad for your happiness, but you also
have to have the courage to say "I don't know about you for sure, so
forgive me for keeping some distance between us".
8.
"This really needs more upvotes. You have to guard your
culture and your humanity at the same time, which is tough in a society that is
built and run largely for people who never have to do that and find your
culture "fascinating"."
**
9. AntonChigurh8933
"I feel you man but it sucks when you're "own' people
gatekeep you from it. This is a problem us mixed people have to deal with. We
will forever be outsiders."
**
10. BennyTooFresh47
"I find anti Cookout post annoying because when in your last
30 interactions you've had with another person whether in real life or online
has someone who is black naturally brought it up in conversation This trends
been dead for like 2 years. Its super online sh-t* that doesn't occur
naturally in the wild."
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this discussion thread.
**
11. mr_evilweed
"In defense of black folks who gets excited when a white
person enjoys some aspect of black culture: black culture is so often
overlooked or ignored in America that seeing someone non-black engage with it
in a positive or appreciative way kind of feels good.
Granted that can often cross into exploitation or
appropriation... but yeah sometimes it's just fun to see a white person who can
swag surf."
**
12. vanadous
"I don't get this - (appropriated) black culture seems
incredibly dominant in language and music."
**
13. Scene-Tricky
"You shouldn't be putting people on a pedestal for doing the
bare minimum. Especially since it's never reciprocated. Black people have to
work twice as hard to get half as much.
You will then turn around and wonder why they are referring
to AAVE as "gen z slang" and how non black people are out here
getting rich and famous off of black culture but a black person will be called
'ghetto' if they do it."
-snip-
"AAVE"- "African American Vernacular English"
14.
"Whenever I see it I feel like it's performative ( not all
but A LOT ) You can tell when someone is itching for black validation and not
just appreciate of the culture."
**
15. TheDuke_Of_Orleans
"When YT boys on TikTok get a buzzcut or know a rap song. “He
seasoned” “Easy white chocolate”
Like it’s so easy for them and our own people allow it to
be. ðŸ˜"
**
16. funhawg
"Hell, plenty of black folk I wouldn't invite. The bar ain't
gotta be so low"
**
17. DrowMonksAreFun
"Are we to inclined to invite people to the “cookout” yes
probably. But I’d still rather be us than them. I’d rather we always rock with
those who are rocking with us even if that means we take in a “post Malone”
sometimes....but I’d always rather
approach with arms open and willing to accept when they approach that way. I
just believe overall we are better for it"
18. M
"I understand this but I think we gotta discern and know the
people that like to feed off the community purely to improve and raise their
own self-esteem, ego, confidence, but do nothing for the people.
In my experience I hear a lot people always talk about how black people make them feel and how they hype them up and a lot people love that, however a lot of those are silent when it comes to black issue or are quick to invalidate experiences.
Though it's not everybody it's a lot. (In my experience
though, lol)"
**
19. One_Analysis_9276
"The cookout thing always annoyed me because it's usually
some yt person doing the bare minimum. And also, even if they support the black
community....why should I be rewarding them for treating me with respect?"
**
20. Nexus03
"There's literally nothing left to gatekeep IMO. We've been
typing, photographing and filming all the intricate details of our culture for
the past few decades. From OKP to Twitter, all social media, etc. A random
bloke in say, Scotland probably knows a LA gang member's whole hood history
better than them. All of our culinary delicacies are on sale in the most
gentrified food halls around the world. Don't get me started on music.
They could honestly host their own cookout with all of our
recipes and not invite us. Crazy times we're in."
**
21. jackheavy
"Our standards remain the same, and I would argue that they
should always remain. We are a culture of community and love. Has that gotten
us hurt and abused? Absolutely! It has also seen us through chattel slavery. It
has also allowed us to find purchase in a land surrounded by enemies. Are we as
a people where we would like to be? No of course not. But we are a people
because we’ve kept our standards of community and love throughout."
**
22. yesimreallylikethat
"just be handing out invites, smh"
**
23. Nick_Bruiser
" "The cookout" is not a real thing! Stop getting
mad over this nonsense!"
**
23. Iskippedkinder
"I always write the same thing: stop inviting folks to the
cookout knowing damn well u aren't welcome to the hoedown or whatever tf they
have over there. Full stop. And if I see one of mine inviting folks, they
uninvited too. Enough if enough."
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM A 2026 REDDIT DISCUSSION THREAD ABOUT NON-BLACK PEOPLE BEING INVITED TO THE COOKOUT
From
https://www.reddit.com/r/askblackpeople/comments/1qvtb5z/what_does_inviting_to_the_cookout_mean_and_what/ "What does inviting to the cookout mean"?
All of these comments are from 2026. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.
r/askblackpeople
1. EarlyRooster966
"What does 'inviting to the cookout' mean? and what is its
origin?
Hey yall I'm a 19F from Egypt and lately on TikTok I've been
seeing videos of black people saying about certain white people (especially
someone like Hayley Williams from Paramore) that they're 'invited to the
cookout', I kind of got that it means this white person is good / not racist
(kinda rare esp in this political climate unfortunately) but is that correct?
and what is its origin? like why a cookout especially? I'm so interested to
know!!"
**
Reply
2. LoveytheLovelyy
"A cookout is a prime gathering in black culture where
we comfortably just enjoy each other with our music, lots of food, friends and
family, laughter, games, etc. we can just be Black as we wanna be and it can go
on for hours and hours. We don’t just invite anybody.
So “invited to the cookout” is a colloquialisms/
metaphorical hypothetical type of thing that basically means who would be able
to come in and convene with us without a problem. It goes beyond just not being
racist. It’s a highly acceptable or regarded person by a large amount of black
folks."
**
Reply
3. Infamous_Ebb_5561
"Why yall explaining stuff to ppl? Gatekeep"
-snip-
The American slang meaning of "gatekeep" ("gatekeeping") is withholding information from outsiders and/or withholding outsiders' access to certain events/areas
**
Reply
4. Apprehensive-Bar-760. Infamous_Ebb_5561
"I agree with you. We need to start gatekeeping everything
lol. The correct response is just the staring eyes emoji from everyone
lollllllll
Reply
5.
"Not every little thing is gatekeep worthy. The saying of NOT
being invited to the cookout is already a form of that. It’s okay to tell
others a joyous thing about our culture. It’s also not a secret. They clearly
already had an understanding of what it is and I just added to the part they’re
confused on"
**
Reply
6.Infamous_Ebb_5561
"Strongly disagree. Gatekeep everything"
**
Reply
7. LoveytheLovelyy
"Then what’s the purpose of this subreddit if we’re gonna
gatekeep everything? Also, this is like there’s no satisfying black ppl. We say
someone is NOT invited to the cookout and that’s still not enough. Then we cry
out when ppl don’t understand or misunderstand us and our culture … but you
wanna gatekeep every single thing. Pick your battles. This isn’t that deep to
gatekeep"
**
Reply
8. Infamous_Ebb_5561
"I am not seeking understanding… our culture is ours we have
shared it and we continue to be erased and pushed out. They make millions off
us while we make pennies. It is that deep"
**
Reply
9. LoveytheLovelyy
"Capitalism off of the backs of black folks has nothing to do
with me explaining what not being invited to the cookout means. They remain
uninvited. It’s fine. lol don’t start crying please"
****
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