Karen's Potato Salad With Raisins (Saturday Night Live's 2018 Black Jeopardy! Skit Featuring T'Challa/Black Panther)

 

Saturday Night Live, Published on Apr 7, 2018

Shanice (Leslie Jones), Rashad (Chris Redd) and T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) compete on Black Jeopardy, hosted by Darnell Hayes (Kenan Thompson).
-snip-
Total Statistics as of November 27, 2025 at 9:21 AM EST
Total # of views- 34,435,923
Total # of likes- 542K

Total # comments- 27,390

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision - November 28, 2025

This is a continuation of Part II of a four part 2018 pancocojams series that showcases the April 7, 2018 "Black Jeopardy!" skit that featured, among others, Chadwick Boseman in his role as T'Challa from the blockbuster Black Panther movie. 

This 2025 pancocojams post presents information about Saturday Night Live and its Black Jeopardy! skits and information about the use of the name "Karen" as a negative referent for certain types of White women. . 

This post also presents additional comments from the discussion thread of that 2018 Saturday Night Live "Black Jeopardy!" YouTube video.  

The link for the 2018 pancocojams post is https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/04/tchalla-black-panther-karens-potato.html. That post presents 133 comments from the discussion thread of the 2018 Saturday Night Live's Black Jeopardy! video as well as 25 comments that comprise the entire sub-thread (as of April 16, 2018) about "Black Cookout Rules & Regulation".25 comments from the  Black Cookout Rules & Regulations discussion thread. Both of these discussion threads included some comments that were published on April 13-April 16, 2018). That 2018 pancocojams post has no visitor comments as of November 26, 2025.

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Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/04/saturday-night-lives-black-jeopardy.html for Part I of this pancocojams series presents an excerpt from an online article about this "Black Jeopardy!" skit and a video of this skit. My transcript of this skit is also included in this post. This transcript differs slightly from the sub-titles that appear in that embedded video.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/04/comments-about-sprite-being-black-soda_18.html for Part III of this series. Part III of this series presents selected comments from the discussion thread of the YouTube video of April 7, 2018 Saturday Night Live's "Black Jeopardy". These comments focus on two of the "prizes" announced for the "Black Jeopardy!" contestants: Sprite (which was described as "the Black soda" and "Useta Hold Margarine" containers.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-blackest-black-jeopardy-additional.html for Part IV of this series. That post presents additional selected comments about this April 7, 2018 "Black Jeopardy!" sketch as well as comments comparing this sketch with other Black Jeopardy sketches and other skits on the Saturday Night Live series.

Part IV also presents selected comments about whether or not the concept and content of Saturday Night Lives' "Black Jeopardy!" is racist and/or stereotypical.

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The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, and entertainment purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Chadwick Boseman, Kenan Thompson, and thanks to all others who performed on that sketch. Thanks to that sketch's writers and thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" 
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Night_Live
"Saturday Night Live (SNL) is an American late-night live sketch comedy variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Michaels and Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC. The show's premiere was hosted by George Carlin on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title NBC's Saturday Night. The show's comedy sketches, which often parody popular culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest and broadcast live with a studio audience. The host usually delivers a monologue toward the start of the show and then performs in sketches with the cast, and introduces featured performances by a musical guest. An episode normally begins with a cold open sketch that is usually based on current political events and ends with someone breaking character and proclaiming, "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!", before moving to credits and introduction of the guest host"...

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INFORMATION ABOUT "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE'S "BLACK JEOPARDY!" SKITS

From AI Overview write-up (results November 27, 2025)
"Black Jeopardy!" is a popular recurring sketch on Saturday Night Live that parodies the game show Jeopardy!. The sketch, hosted by Kenan Thompson as Darnell Hayes, features a third white contestant (often played by Tom Hanks) who struggles to understand the cultural context of the Black-centric questions. The game highlights cultural differences through the answers given by the Black contestants, such as the "old-school" responses of Velvet Jones (Eddie Murphy) or the more modern ones of Jared (Drake).

[...]

Cultural Highlights: The humor comes from the contrast between the different contestants' answers and their differing levels of cultural understanding. For example, a question might be answered by one contestant with a reference to a popular rap artist, while another might give a response related to a historical event or common experience.

First Aired: The first "Black Jeopardy!" sketch aired in March 2014.

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From another AI Overview write-up (results November 27, 2025 in response to my question "Does Saturday Night Live's Black Jeopardy skits still exist?)
"Yes, the "Black Jeopardy!" sketch still exists and appeared on Saturday Night Live for its 50th anniversary special in February 2025, as reported by NBC and the New York Post. The special featured Kenan Thompson hosting and brought back original cast member Tom Hanks as the recurring contestant Doug, alongside other cast members like Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, and Eddie Murphy.

50th Anniversary Special: The sketch returned for "SNL50: The Anniversary Special" on February 16, 2025.

New and Returning Cast: Kenan Thompson reprised his role as host, and Tom Hanks returned to play the recurring contestant Doug, a Trump supporter who wears a MAGA hat.

Guest Stars: The sketch also included appearances from Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, and Eddie Murphy.

Content: The categories and questions in the sketch, as in previous versions, were based on stereotypes of African American culture, according to the SNL Fandom Wiki."
-snip-
Here's some information about the television quiz show Jeopardy!:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeopardy!
"Jeopardy! is an American television game show created by Merv Griffin. The show is a quiz competition that reverses the traditional question-and-answer format of many quiz shows. Rather than being given questions, contestants are instead given general knowledge clues in the form of answers and they must identify the person, place, thing, or idea that the clue describes, phrasing each response in the form of a question.[1]

The original daytime version debuted on NBC on March 30, 1964, and aired until January 3, 1975."...

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEROGATORY USE OF THE NAME "KAREN"
Since 2017 the female given name "Karen" has been used in African American culture- and, by extension, in other parts of American culture (USA)- as a derogatory referent for White females, and sometimes also White males.

AI Overview
"The name "Karen" became a negative term for some white women around 2018, evolving from online memes that began in 2017. It became a pejorative slang term used to criticize middle-aged white women who allegedly misuse their privilege to get their way, especially by calling the authorities on minority groups or making unreasonable demands. The negative meaning surged in popularity in 2020 due to viral videos showing such behavior.

Early use: The term started appearing on platforms like Reddit around 2017, often in memes mocking women with the name. The first pejorative definition appeared on Urban Dictionary in 2018, initially describing a specific "Karen" as a blonde woman with an "ombre cascade hairstyle" who demands to "speak to the manager".

Evolution of meaning: By 2021, the meaning expanded to include instances where a "Karen" imposes her beliefs and potentially calls the police on unsuspecting individuals, particularly if they are of a minority descent.

Social context: The negative connotation grew significantly, especially in 2020 during the anti-black racism protests, as more viral videos emerged of white women engaging in behavior associated with the "Karen" stereotype. "
-snip-
The name "Karen" has also evolved to become a negative referent for White men who act in the same way as female "Karens". The name "Karen" is also sometimes used by Black Americans as a negative general referent for all White women.  

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD: T'CHALLA & KAREN'S POTATO SALAD 

These comments are given in relative chronological order.

Numbers are assigned for referencing purposes only.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzMzFGgmQOc

1. @abenaoseii, 2018
" "i sense that this white woman does not season her food" 🙌🏾"

**
Reply
2. @27jasepp, 2018
"Abena ! I didn’t know we had that reputation"

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Reply
3. @aprilmay1061
"Jason Epperson.  It's an old time joke."

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4. @marszenka, 2018
"I recently made potato salad. I personally season things a lot already (and I hate raisins) but this time... I added extra paprika. >_> T'Challa mah King!"

**
5. @tajthegreatone9326, 2018
"I swear SNL ratings went up like crazy during this episode!

"Karen keep your bland ass potatoe salad to yourself!"

😂😂😂😂"

**
Reply
6. @timb6509, 2018
"Taj The Great One this was hilarious from start to finish!!!"

**
7. @antwuanlamont4694, 2019
"That potato salad response had me on the floor when I first heard it......."Probably add something unnecessary, like raisins......" ...........lol"

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Reply
8. @jamarrogers2985, 2019
"Had me in tears🤣🤣🤣"

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9. @Concatenate, 2019
"I'm whiter than sour cream and I've never even heard of "my people" putting raisins in potato salad or not seasoning the food.  If anyone did that they would be immediately excommunicated."

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10 @MsLessone, 2020 
"@Concatenate  you're probably from the south where your food has been ... influenced. They not talking about u 😉"

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11. @Nicro328, 2019
"You’re from the South. Of course they know how to season their food there. We’re talking about the REST of the country.

I’m from SoCal, attend uni in Ohio, the amount of people that don’t season their food is alarming!

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Reply
12. @erauprcwa, 2019
"My husband is white, his mother makes good potato salad. I was surprised when she first made it. She actually seasons her food and doesn't add anything 'fancy' to it."

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Reply
13. @nanettewhite8269, 2019
"@erauprcwa  your mother-in-law's Street Credibility has gone up 25 points. She now officially has bragging rights.😁😁"

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14. @erauprcwa, 2019
..."(anecdotal) if you've been around ethnic people or from the south, you know how to cook well...

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15. @boblozaintherealworld3577, 2019
..."now of course, there's white and then there's WHITE. now i've got blue eyes and fair skin but yet i'm 100% Latino. (in the old country they'd call me a 'guero')"

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Reply
16. @boblozaintherealworld3577, 2019
"@erauprcwa  my jewish mother-in-law from the Bronx made good potato salad."

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17. @tyrant-den884, 2019
"my mom does add the paprika, but sometimes also raisins.

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18. @natsaidthat, 2020
"Chadwicks responses were epic!!😆 His acting skills were unparalleled! The way he stayed in character the entire time, his dialect, posture, facial gesturing...man what a boss!!! He will be missed!! 😥"

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19. @TrueBackLash, 2020
"Let’s go with Tributes for $400.

Answer: This is the reason why there are so many people in the comment section for a hilarious Chadwick Boseman.

Question: What is to honor him as an icon of cinema and role model."

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Reply
20. @equarles8825
"Amen.  Rest in Power little brother.  You are forever in our hearts.  O,Ne Love."

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21.@ellik3802, 2020
"Fantastic segment due to Chadwick"

Reply
22. @perri_6, 2020
"King T'Chadwick!"

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23. @lonisballington7636, 2020
"I can’t believe he was battling cancer through all of this while still having such a great sense of humor :( RIP one of the greatest actors to ever live <3"

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Reply
24. @yukirabbit2615, 2020
"And he kept his condition on the down low, even when he started losing weight and haters insulting his appearance. He wanted to keep the dreams of the fans alive."

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25. @daniellefish2316, 2020
"Came here after hearing about Chadwick Boseman’s passing. 2020 is awful and he was such a class act. Wakanda forever! And rest in power and Rest In Peace ️️️️️"

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Reply
26. @canigetto1subscriberbefore908, 2020
"This man literally fought cancer the entire time he was playing Black Panther. He is definitely the strongest Avenger. RIP King.Till we meet again."

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Reply
27. @radharamanivasam7269, 2020
"You are so right, Chadwick is indeed the Strongest Avenger, he will always be missed,"

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Reply
28. @MissLinas, 2020
"#WAKANDAFOREVER

Rest In Power Chadwick Boseman 👑 🙏🕊 ☦ ❤ 💛 💙 💜 💚 ⚘"

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29. @SuperTruthful, 2020
"He was diagnosed in 2016, so not only Black panther several other projects. Bless him."

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30. @matheussanthiago9685, 2024
" "in my culture, death is not the end"

Rest in Power King"

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31. @-BabyValentine, 2020
"Since all the recent comments are depressing, can we take the time to imagine the KING seriously going on this show and taking time off from protecting Wakanda 😂."

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Reply
32. @milesandcoffee, 2020
"It's so funny because it brings TRUE!  He stayed in character!  I love this!"

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33. @royal_kira7184, 2020
"And why did he need the prize money tho? 🤔"

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Reply
34. @generaldeathmaster9295, 2020
"Yeah. Like he isn’t rich enough. I think Black Panther is worth about $300 billion in the comics"

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35. @LazyCat010, 2020
"@royal_kira7184  Raising money for Shuri's science center"

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36.  @Brian-sf6ew, 2020
" "This White Woman does not season her food" "

I'm dyin' here lmao"

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Reply
37. @davethevikingkid, 2020
"and adds raisins!"

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38.@jobesz44, 2021
"The dynamic between Keenan and Chadwick on that last answer is priceless. That piece of the segment belongs in SNL hall of fame. RIP to the late, great king Chadwick"

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39. @jkhegarty4317, 2022
"I agree with you. SNL hall of fame! This skit will never grow old!"

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40. @christinablackmambabroadwa3289, 2022
"I agree. I believe that’s why they had it split screened. So that we, the viewer, could see that dynamic that you speak of."

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41. @thomasfranco5997, 2022
"@jkhegarty4317  I think their are 2 skits of Black Jeopardy that should go to the hall of fame. The other with Tom Hanks. They are both great skits. I watch both of them when I need a pick me up. Rest In Peace Chadwick Boseman! you will be missed,"

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42. @timcrum146, 2021
"Boseman was a talented man. He rocked the role of Black Panther like no one else could have. It’s sad to see him looking so meek and sickly. To show up, put on a smile, and deliver those lines so smoothly while literally dying shows how strong and talented he was. RIP King T’Challa, Wakanda Forever!!"

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43. @stephboseman1470, 2021
"I know, right?  He was so sick and nobody knew."

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44. @patchdavis35, 2021
"This, kids, is what courage looks like. You will rarely see it." ** 45. @gabrielklute1086, 2022 "Just saw Wakanda forever 2 days ago and the tribute made me cry. This man was such a good person and inspired so many. RIP Chadwick your legacy as a hero will last forever." ** Reply 46. @bampo8436, 2022 "Yeah :( "

** 47. @disturbedpyro4511, 2022
" “Aww hell naww Karen! Keep your bland ass potato salad to yourself!!”😂😂😂 this skit will never get old!"

**
Reply
48. @johnhayes6372, 2022
"🤣🤣🤣"

**
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49. @adrienneflowersscott9290, 2022
"Adding something unnecessary like raisins. 😂😂😂"

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50. @stephaniegittinger7980, 2022
" @adrienneflowersscott9290  I actually did see potato salad with raisins in the grocery store a couple of weeks ago.😎😎"

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51. @jazzinikki01, 2022
"Hahahaha 😂"

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52. @douglasthompson1988, 2022
"@stephaniegittinger7980  <Gasp‼>"

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53. @stephaniegittinger7980, 2022
"@douglasthompson1988  note that I did not buy it!"

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54. @Led_By_Christ, 2023
"King T’Challa’s line O hell naw Karen keep your potato salad to yourself lmao this entire skit. Loved everyone" ** Reply
55. @dianeibsen5994, 2023
"Right! I watch it over and over and over again. Kenans facial expressions are so amazing. Gifted."

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56. @danni1993, 2023
" @stephaniegittinger7980 

😳Is that really a thing...raisins in potato salad???

Oh, say it isn't so!"

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Reply
57. @stephaniegittinger7980, 2023
"@danni1993  it is,  unfortunately.  So is grapes in chicken salad!"

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58. @yoshikitte, 2023
"@stephaniegittinger7980  GRAPES?? CHICKEN SALAD?? STEPHANIE NO."

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59. @stephaniegittinger7980, 2023
"@yoshikitte  I'm afraid so"

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60. @byanymeansnecessary9329, 2023
"@stephaniegittinger7980  you are missing out, adding a natural sweet to.a dish activates a whole extra set of taste buds for a much richer flavor palette.  I tell you this as a black man who has been eating soul and Caribbean black people food for over 40 years.  Do you eat yams with marshmallows over them? Similar concept."

**
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61. @angelafisher9970, 2023
"@stephaniegittinger7980 I kinda like the grapes in chicken salad thing; don’t take my card😂"

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62. @disturbedpyro4511, 2023
" @angelafisher9970  grapes in chicken salad is different because slightly sweet goes goo with chicken. But raisins In potato  salad is a crime against food! Lol"

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63. @disturbedpyro4511, 2023
"@byanymeansnecessary9329  yes candied yams are amazing! And yes a little sweetness goes good in savory dishes. But if you want a little sweetness add something that pairs well with it, like Bread and Butter pickles or something. Raisins are gross in their own, never mind In potatos"

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64. @missmary2877, 2023
"@stephaniegittinger7980  Grapes in chicken salad is a very different conversation than raisins in potato salad!"

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65. @missmary2877, 2023
"@byanymeansnecessary9329  Raisins are delicious. Just please do not use them in...POTATO SALAD. Thank you, the planet"

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66. @teresasnamesake4784, 2023
"I watch this one over and over again 😂"

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67. @JM-zk9ou, 2023
"I crack up every time I watch it"

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68. @disturbedpyro4511, 2023
" @teresasnamesake4784  same! Chadwick was such a cool guy. So sad he died so young. I was completely shocked when it was revealed he had cancer.

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69. @christophergargaro959, 2023
"The only bad part of this skit is we can never have it again - RIP Chadwick. Taken from us far too soon. He was absolutely brilliant in this."

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70. @nicolelala10, 2023
"Brilliant in this....and everything else he appeared in..." 

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71. @DunmoresMovieMania, 2025
"Exactly! I was just thinking this would have been hilarious as a recurring skit whenever Chadwick would have been on the show; T'Challa answering in his innocence of modern america. So tragic that we can never ever have this dynamic again."

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72. @SDeezy593, 2025
"Facts. I still remember watching Black Panther when it came on ABC with no commercials after Chadwick passed. That gesture alone displays his impact.

Nevermind BP was on track to be the biggest Marvel movie franchise ever, IMO.

I will say, however, that we should want the BP franchise to continue with another actor. And I believe Chadwick would agree with this as well. And we should be willing to give the new one a shot, even as difficult as it would be for us initially."

** 
73. @heatherclemmons956, 2025
"Coming here to rewatch this after Chadwick just got his star on the Hollywood walk of fame. We miss you Chadwick 😔

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74. @BriPopp, 2025
"Chadwick Boseman was one of the most beautiful humans "

**
75. @warriorwomanwisdom, 2025
"This will never not bring joy and laughter! We miss you, Chadwick. " 

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

The Origins Of The Stereotype About Black People And Fried Chicken (featuring two article excerpts and a YouTube video)

MemoryMuseum, July 2, 2020

Ella Fitzgerald in a 1983 commercial for Kentucky Fried Chicken -snip- Two commenters wrote in that YouTube video's discussion thread that the girl scatting along with Ella Fitzgerald is the R&B singer Shanice. Some commenters wrote that this ad was racist. I don't believe that every ad or every reference to Black people and fried chicken is in and of itself racist. **** Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents two article excerpts about the history behind the stereotype of  African Americans and fried chicken.

A 1983 Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial of Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald scatting about fried chicken is also showcased in this pancocojams post. 

The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, and educational purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-story-behind-stereotype-of-black.html for the 2013 pancocojams post entitled "The Story Behind The Stereotype Of Black People & Fried Chicken."

Also, read the rhyme entitled "How To Please A Preacher" from Thomas W. Talley's 1922 collection Negro Folk Rhymes, quoted in Part II of the pancocojams series "Food Or Beverages References In Some Examples In The 1922 Book "Negro Folk Rhymes" (Part II). That rhyme (song) is the only example in that collection that refers to eating parts of a chicken (i.e. a chicken wing). In contrast, a number of rhymes in that collection refer to Black people eating chicken pies, a much less time intensive meal.  https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/02/food-or-beverages-references-in-some_21.html. The link to Part I of that series is found in that post. 

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ARTICLE EXCERPTs ABOUT AFRICAN AMERICANS AND FRIED CHICKEN

These excerpts are numbered for referencing purposes only.

EXCERPT #1
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fried_chicken
"Fried chicken, also known as Southern fried chicken, is a dish consisting of chicken pieces that have been coated with seasoned flour or batter and pan-fried, deep fried, pressure fried, or air fried. The breading adds a crisp coating or crust to the exterior of the chicken while retaining juices in the meat. Broiler chickens are most commonly used.

The first dish known to have been deep fried was fritters, which were popular in the European Middle Ages. However, it was the Scottish who were the first Europeans to deep fry their chicken in fat (though without seasoning). Meanwhile, many West African peoples had traditions of seasoned fried chicken (though battering and cooking the chicken in palm oil). Scottish frying techniques and West African seasoning techniques were combined by enslaved Africans and African-Americans in the American South.

History

The American English expression "fried chicken" is first recorded in the 1830s, and frequently appears in American cookbooks of the 1860s and 1870s.[1] The origin of fried chicken in the southern states of America has been traced to precedents in Scottish[2][3][4] and West African cuisine.[5][6][7][8] Scottish fried chicken was cooked in fat (though unseasoned)[2][4] while West African fried chicken was seasoned[2][3][8] (but battered[6][9] and cooked in palm oil).[5] Scottish frying techniques and African seasoning techniques were used in the American South by African slaves.[2][3][4][8] Fried chicken provided some means of an independent economy for enslaved and segregated African-American women, who became noted sellers of poultry (live or cooked) as early as the 1730s.[10] Because of this and the expensive nature of the ingredients, it was, despite popular belief, a rare dish in the African-American community[5] reserved (as in Africa) for special occasions.[9][7][8]

After the development of larger and faster-growing hogs (due to crosses between European and Asian breeds) in the 18th and 19th century, in the United States, backyard and small-scale hog production provided an inexpensive means of converting waste food, crop waste, and garbage into calories (in a relatively small space and a relatively short period). Many of those calories came in the form of fat and rendered lard.[11] Lard was used for almost all cooking and was a fundamental component in many common homestead foods (many that today are still regarded as holiday and comfort foods) like biscuits and pies.[12] The economic and caloric necessity of consuming lard and other saved fats may have led to the popularity of fried foods, not only in the US, but worldwide.[13][better source needed] In the 19th century cast iron became widely available for use in cooking. The combination of flour, lard, a chicken and a heavy pan placed over a relatively controllable flame became the beginning of today's fried chicken.[citation needed]

When it was introduced to the American South, fried chicken became a common staple. Later, as the slave trade led to Africans being brought to work on southern plantations, the slaves who became cooks incorporated seasonings and spices that were absent in traditional Scottish cuisine, enriching the flavor.[14] Since most slaves were unable to raise expensive meats, but generally allowed to keep chickens, frying chicken on special occasions continued in the African American communities of the South, especially in the periods of segregation that closed off most restaurants to the black population.[citation needed]

American-style fried chicken gradually passed into common use as a general Southern dish, especially after the abolition of slavery, and its popularity spread. Since fried chicken traveled well in hot weather before refrigeration was commonplace, and as the growth of industry reduced its cost, it gained further favor across the South. Fried chicken continues to be among this region's top choices for "Sunday dinner". Holidays such as Independence Day and other gatherings often feature this dish.[15] During the 20th century, chain restaurants focused on fried chicken began among the boom in the fast food industry. Brands such as Kentucky Fried Chicken, Popeyes, and Bojangles expanded in the United States and across the world.”…

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EXCERPT #2
From https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20201012-the-surprising-origin-of-fried-chicken

The surprising origin of fried chicken

By Adrian Miller

13th October 2020

Fried chicken is as emblematic of the US South as collard greens and sweet potato pie. But it may be more Scottish than Southern.

…"In the US, African Americans often refer to fried chicken as a “Gospel bird” because of its connection to Sunday church culture, and three of the five fastest-growing restaurant chains in recent years were chicken joints….

Until World War Two, fried chicken in the US was considered a food for special occasions. It later transitioned to something that people ate for breakfast or dinner a couple of times a week, and these days, it’s become so widely available that people eat it whenever the mood strikes. In fact, according to the US’ National Chicken Council, the average American ate 28lb of chicken in 1960. Now, Americans down 99lb of chicken each year – far more than beef (57lb) or pork (53lb)….

Despite the fact that many cultures around the world make distinct varieties of fried chicken, the US South's version is unquestionably the most iconic. But why? What gives people in the Southern US the gumption to claim fried chicken as their birthright, or their “state religion” as Damon Lee Fowler wrote in his 1998 book, Fried Chicken: The World’s Best Recipes from Memphis to Milan, from Buffalo to Bangkok. The simple answer is that fried chicken’s early history is something of a mystery and US Southerners were its loudest and best cheerleaders, helping to spread it across the US, and later, the world….

From the 17th to 19th Centuries, conventional wisdom designated the American South as fried chicken’s native habitat. Southerners made it a centrepiece of their regional cuisine and boasted that only African Americans, mostly enslaved, could make “authentic” fried chicken. Some culinary experts linked such expertise to West Africa where, for several centuries prior to European contact, local populations ate chicken and deep fried their food. However, West Africans didn't make fried chicken the same way many Southerners traditionally did. It was more like a fricassee, where chicken was lightly fried and then braised for a much longer time in a seasoned sauce – similar to Senegalese chicken yassa. Since West African culinary traditions remain a mystery to so many, some saw the building blocks for fried chicken and leapt to the wrong conclusion.

The US’ first widely accepted printed recipe for fried chicken appeared in 1824 in the first regional American cookbook, The Virginia House-Wife, authored by Mary Randolph, a white woman from a slaveholding family and a distant relative of Thomas Jefferson.

“Cut them up as for the fricassée, dredge them well with flour, sprinkle them with salt, put them into a good quantity of boiling lard and fry them a light brown,” she wrote. Of course, the dish’s history starts much earlier, but this recipe set the fried chicken standard for generations of Southern cooks.

For centuries, fried chicken’s pure Southern heritage remained unchallenged until food writer John F Mariani wrote the following in The Encyclopedia of American Food & Drink, first published in 1983: “Almost every country has its own version [of fried chicken], from Vietnam’s Ga Xao to Italy’s pollo fritto and Austria’s Weiner Backhendl.” But, he continued, “the Scottish, who enjoyed frying their chickens rather than boiling or baking them as the English did, may have brought the method with them when they settled the [American] South.

Though Randolph’s recipe helped popularise fried chicken for Southern white cooks, an even older recipe appearing in a 1747 British cookbook, The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy, may have pioneered it – only it’s not actually called “fried chicken”. Simply titled “to marinate chickens”, the technique is all too familiar to today’s Southern US cooks….

A likely scenario is that, at some point between the 17th and 19th centuries, enslaved African Americans began cooking fried chicken based on the recipes provided by Scottish slaveholders. In time, African American cooks embraced it as part of their own culinary tradition. With years of honed experience, as well as an adeptness at seasoning and frying, African American cooks caused fried chicken to lose its Scottish identity and it became as quintessentially “Southern” as black-eyed peas, cornbread, collard greens, macaroni and cheese and sweet potato pie.

Before the US Civil War (1861-1865), fried chicken was fully immersed in Southern social life for both African Americans and whites, but preparing it was a very labour-intensive process. Someone had to kill a chicken, then pluck, clean, cut, season, flour and cook it. This made it something only eaten on special occasions – typically from spring until autumn – and it was often served at Fourth of July celebrations and Sunday dinners after a church service. Typically, young chickens, around a year old, were preferred for frying. Older chickens were for stewing because the meat was considered less tender. Other than barbecue or a fish fry, few foods were as effective as fried chicken in bringing people together and building community.

Enslaved African Americans also valued chickens in the Southern plantation economy. Many slaveholders allowed enslaved people to raise chickens and sell or barter eggs. Chickens acquired divine significance in West Africa where the animals were used in a number of religious rituals, and enslaved Africans transplanted those spiritual practices to the Americas.

In the Southern US, American Americans made fried chicken their go-to dish for a communal meal after church, or when the church pastor went to a congregant’s home for dinner. As the honoured guest, the pastor was served first and got the best pieces of the bird (usually the breast), which were also called “preacher’s parts” until the 1950s. With fried chicken so imbued with religious connotation, it’s no surprise that its “Gospel Bird” or “Sunday Cluck” nicknames endure in African American culture.

During the 19th Century, the dish became a route to economic empowerment for many African Americans. In her groundbreaking work, Building Houses out of Chicken Legs: Black Women, Food & Power, University of Maryland associate professor Dr Psyche Williams-Forson reveals how the 900-person town of Gordonsville, Virginia, became known as the “Fried Chicken Capital of the World” in the second half of the 1800s.

Gordonsville was a major stop on two Civil War-era railroad lines, but back then, the trains didn’t have dining cars. “When weary train passengers arrived [in Gordonsville], these black women rushed to offer a combination of foods that included fried chicken,” writes Williams-Forson. Because fried chicken travelled well before refrigeration, white passengers would frequently buy the food from African American cooks through open train windows.

Entrepreneurial vendors proliferated in the South and in other parts of the country, and fried chicken singlehandedly helped many African Americans move out of the region and build their own homes – hence, the title of Williams-Forson’s book.

Predictably, however, it was a white entrepreneur who caused fried chicken to really take flight in the US. In the 1950s, “Colonel” Harland Sanders adopted traditional techniques perfected by African Americans in the US South and began franchising his Antebellum-themed Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant after figuring out how to mass produce fried chicken by greatly shortening its cooking time. As a legitimate fast food, Southern-style fried chicken began spreading its wings globally in the 1970s, and KFC’s influence was huge. Wherever the franchise landed, it often gave people in other countries their first taste of Southern-style fried chicken."...

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T'Challa (Black Panther) & Karen's Potato Salad (Saturday Night Live's "Black Jeopardy" )

Saturday Night Live, Published on Apr 7, 2018

Shanice (Leslie Jones), Rashad (Chris Redd) and T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) compete on Black Jeopardy, hosted by Darnell Hayes (Kenan Thompson).

Total Statistics as of  April 16, 2018 6:51 PM EST):
8,778,294 total views

171K total likes

5.6K total dislikes

12,291 comments

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a four part 2018 ancocojams series that showcases the April 7, 2018 "Black Jeopardy" sketch on the weekly national American televised series Saturday Night Live. Among others, this sketch starred Chadwick Boseman in his role as T'Challa from the blockbuster Black Panther movie.

This post presents selected comments from this video's discussion thread about "T'Challa & Karen's potato salad".

The Addendum to this post presents the entire sub-thread (as of April 16, 2018) about "Black Cookout Rules & Regulation".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/04/saturday-night-lives-black-jeopardy.html for Part I of this pancocojams series presents an excerpt from an online article about this "Black Jeopardy" skit and a video of this skit. My transcript of this skit is also included in this post. This transcript differs slightly from the sub-titles that appear in that embedded video.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/04/comments-about-sprite-being-black-soda_18.html for Part III of this series. Part III of this series presents selected comments from the discussion thread of the YouTube video of April 7, 2018 Saturday Night Live's "Black Jeopardy". These comments focus on two of the "prizes" announced for the "Black Jeopardy" contestants: Sprite (which was described as "the Black soda" and "Useta Hold Margarine" containers.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-blackest-black-jeopardy-additional.html for Part IV of this series. That post presents additional selected comments about this April 7, 2018 "Black Jeopardy" sketch as well as comments comparing this sketch with other Black Jeopardy sketches and other sketches on the Saturday Night Live series.

Part IV also presents selected comments about whether or not the concept and content of Saturday Night Lives' "Black Jeopardy" is racist and/or stereotypical.

****
The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural and entertainment purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Chadwick Boseman, Kenan Thompson, and all others who performed on that sketch and thanks to that sketch's writers. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/11/saturday-night-lives-2018-black.html for the November 2025 post entitled "Saturday Night Live's 2018 Black Jeopardy! Skit Featuring T'Challa (Black Panther) - Karen's Potato Salad With Raisins". That post features updated information about Saturday Night Live's Black Jeopardy's skits as well as additional comments from the discussion thread of this 2018 YouTube video. 

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD: T'CHALLA & KAREN'S POTATO SALAD

These comments are given in relative chronological order. Numbers are assigned for referencing purposes only. All of these comments were published between April 7 and April 16, 2018

1. KyownUnity
"I never knew I needed to hear T’Challa say “Oh hell naw Karen, keep your bland-ass potato salad to yourself!” UNTIL I HEARD IT. 😂"

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REPLY
2. Logan Cooper
"IKR!!! I LOVE HIM!"

**
3. Eseercam
"OMG! His analysis of Karen's potato salad to give an answer was everything! His "Awww Hell Naw" had me dead😂😂😂😂
Killmonger's Ghost:"I coulda told you that Cousin!!""

REPLY
4. Eseercam
"Somewhere Killmonger's ghost is like, "He's finally starting to get it!!!!""

**
5. Ben Ola
"I sense that this white woman does not season her food

😅

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REPLY
6. Mont 3000
"Ben Ola yeah I was rollin"

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7. pittland44
"It was brilliant. This woman Karen, she is Caucasian?"

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8. Tony Snyder
"It's funny cuz it's true"

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9. Beard Zgorski
"yeah... because i still don't season other than salt and p... my dad was 72 when i was born, so bland food was the norm . spicy foods were out..."

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10. Mark Otter
"I'm white, and I can attest to the fact we got too many Karens!"

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11. dmcgee3
"My mom has probably 200 herbs and spices and her food tends to be bland. My dad has like 20 and half of them expired in the 80s. (Not exaggerating, I’ve checked the dates) yet somehow his food always has so much more flavor. He is from the south and my mom is from upstate New York. She’s Irish, and while I know it’s kinda a joke that the Irish have some of the most boring food, I’m not sure I would disagree with that. I don’t think it’s a race thing anymore I think it’s just regional. Though race and culture obviously playing into regional flavors. Historically poor and oppressed people would get the less desirable cuts of meat and need to heavily seasonal it to make it palatable. And it led to some amazing food."

**
12. Iyesha I.
"That was the hardest the audience laughed, must be some truth in that."

**
13. broadwaymelody33
"My well-meaning polish Grandma has definitely brought a potato salad to a black bbq before, when she met my cousins’ husband’s family lmfao. They were VERY sweet about it 😂"

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14. Yah Boi
"I guess I got really lucky or something, my white mother uses seasoning for everything."

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15. julez4002
"Taylor Swift is now the Karen of music. She added raisins to Earth Wind and Fire with no seasonings."
-snip-
This comment refers to Pop star Taylor Swift's recent (largely derided) country music remake of Earth, Wind, & Fire's 1978 Funk music classic "September".

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REPLY
16. girl interrupted
"julez4002 That sh&t* hurt my soul😔"
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in that comment.

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17. Stealthless
"6:00 “Raisins.” I’M DEAD!"

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REPLY
18. The End Begins
"Stealthless everubody laughing because they know it true."

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19. bobigghhb 3
"Legit had me in tears. Made the whole skit worth it 😂"

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20. Dolores M
"Like I said above, that was my sister's potato salad they were talking about. Oh hell, naw."

****
21. Wassup G
"Immfao 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣...put sm’thng don’t belong...like raisins 😂🤣😂🤣🤣....tru dat aww hell nawl"

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22. RandomBlackGamer
""Yes! In the face!" My jaw hurts from laughing bruh!"

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REPLY
23. david mesler
"RandomBlackGamer one of my favorite lines from Coming to America"

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REPLY
24. Cassandra Stewart
"the depth of this inside joke is killin me LMAO"

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REPLY
25. André Brown
"You know "in da face" wasn't scripted! Shout to Eddie Murphy."

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REPLY
26. Natilie E. S.
"RandomBlackGamer honestly I'm just impressed that so many people understood where the joke was coming from 😆😂"

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REPLY
27. Vince Edwards
"Awesome nod to Coming To America!!!"
-snip-
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbs8OTEauHc for a video clip of the scene from the 1988 Coming To America. In this clip, Prince Akim, played by Eddie Murphy, says "In your face!" in a failed attempt to mimic American slang.

**
28. Davon Taylor
"Karen: "It took me 3 days to make that potato salad! 3 DAAYSS!!" 😂😂"

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29. Omowàle Zaquir
"This is the funniest SNL skit I've seen in years."

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REPLY
30. Gods Plan
"Omowàle Zaquir funny for black people did not get a joke"

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REPLY
31. horse stomper
"Omowàle Zaquir you're kidding right?"

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REPLY
32. PIPE DOWN CHUMP
"Omowàle Zaquir 2 thousand and counting, white women with nasty potato salad disagree with you.lmao"

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REPLY
33. Omowàle Zaquir
"Gods Plan Well, it was called Black Jeopardy 😏"

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REPLY
34. Omowàle Zaquir
"horse stomper #N😀PE! 😂😂😂"

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REPLY
35. Omowàle Zaquir
"PIPE DOWN CHUMP 😂😂😂 They need to keep that raisin laced mess at home."

**
36. Karen .N
"I’m so mad, why does my name have to be Karen 😭😭"

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REPLY
37. Candie P
"Karen .N but I bet you can make one heck of a potato salad tho 😆"

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REPLY
38. Paul Anthony
"I actually don't know any White Karen's my self! haha"

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REPLY
39. MMplays Ps4
"Karen .N keep your bland ass potato salad to yourself 😂😂😂"

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REPLY
40. Roland Dawson
"Ahhh!! XD"

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REPLY
41. Heather Mallory
"I’m just glad it wasn’t Heather lol."

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REPLY
42. Richie Rich 22
"But you’re cool because you’re the black Karen. They’re taking about the white Karen"

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REPLY
43. Lisa Strong
"It's all good Karen, you're in the clear, you're not the "white Karen". Tbh I don't even know any white women named Karen myself lol."

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REPLY
44. Bruce Lombardo
"Karen .N buy your spices! And use 'em, Kay-ren!"

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REPLY
45. Aisha Benguma
"Karen .N lol"

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REPLY
46. Dave L
"Aren't you supposed to say: "Aw hell naw, why does my name have to be Karen?""

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REPLY
47. Drunken Hobo
"It should at least be spelled "Kahryn" or something. Are you sure you're actually black?"

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REPLY
48. Lashay Wood
"Karen .N As long as you season your potato salad properly, you're good"

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REPLY
49. Karen .N
"Drunken Hobo omg yes 😂😂😂 I’m 110% Nigerian"

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REPLY
50. Dorothy Crawley
"Karen .N as long as you don't put raisins in your potato salad you'll be alright😄😃😊!

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REPLY
51. poemkid1
"Karen .N How you black with a name like Karen lol...😂 I'm just kidding stay up sista"

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REPLY
52. Migos
"just keep your bland ass potato salad to yourself and we cool 😂💀"

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REPLY
53. LeShea White
"I'm dead"

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REPLY
54. Karen Donaldson
"my thoughts exactly Karen... Shoutout to all the Karens out there LOL"

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REPLY
55. Freddie McRae
"poemkid1: Be careful! Black people with "White" names be real sensitive about that sh&t*. "You don't LOOK like a 'Tammy'!" "
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

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REPLY
56. Freddie McRae
"eyonex: You ain't joking. I got two cousins, Barbara & Jennifer, who've always gotten job interviews. White people treat Black people with "White names" better. (By the way, we call them by their middle names, their "real names", Shaundria & Shaunté!")"

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REPLY
57. Mr. Wood
"Karen .N ROTFL!!! Hahaha"

**
58. Simple Mike
"Instant Classic 🤣🤣🤣🤣"

**
59. DJ Sapien
"White people really do be putting raisins in potato salad though lol"

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REPLY
60. Jesus Zepeda
"If it's not raisins its some other weird crap like sliced almonds or chopped nuts. All I wonder is why?"

**
61. Kirito Alverez
"Riiiiiiight. Putting peanuts in the damn potato salad. Go sit down somewhere Karen"

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REPLY
62. luvpinkandgold
"why. why would they do that."

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63. Mya Rose
"Hey, I may be white, and I may be bland (I never salt my food), but hell naw, I aint putting no raisins in anything. It's one of lifes disappointments to find raisins in any other food but raisins and especially cakes and baked goods."

**
64. Lavina Houchen
"not me honey... My potato salad is awesome."

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REPLY
65. Daisy Juice
"Lavina Houchen Everyone thinks their potato salad is awesome but we Black people know this is rarely the case. This is why we always ask, "who made the potato salad?" before deciding if it's worth trying."

**
66. Sammi Worlo
"This white people seasoning part is SOO f&&king* TRUE lol 😂"
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

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REPLY
67. pjd203
"no it is not, most people season there food, it's just a stereotype that can apply to the Caucasian race because we might not season as much as others, so it is technically half true."

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REPLY
68. Klonoa Magya
"Maybe its because I was raised in a southern household, or because half my heritage is cajun, but nah far from true, I need a lot of seasoning and I am white."

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REPLY
69. Gr8 Incarnate
"In the US, and not just whites, I've noticed most people just season with salt and garlic/onion powder. I prefer using fresh raw ingredients and much more herbs."

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REPLY
70. Kris Sanders
"It really isn’t. Some ppl like seasonings that are white, some don’t. It’s the taste of the person not the race. My mom seasoned and marinated almost every meat we had as kids, rice, veggies, pizza , mash potatoes ectt. I go over my friends Dwayne’s for dinner, and they didn’t even have salt n pepper with their dinner. And yes, Dwayne was black.. some ppl like their seasoning, some don’t. lol so that’s one stupidest stereotypes I’ve seen. Stereotypes are assumptions not facts."

**
71. freddieawsome1
" "This white woman probably doesn't season her food"

I'm dead. I died. My ghost wrote this comment."

**
72. VolatileDisposition
"'oh, i thought i'd add some raisins to jazz it up' - karen"

**
73. Jawana Williams
"It's nice to be able to laugh at our stereotypes when it's clearly funny and done in good taste such as this was. 🤣"

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74. Andrew McMillan
"As a white dude, I can't get over how many of us like to put unnecessary fruit into things where fruit doesn't belong. I had an uncle that put raisins in thanksgiving dressing/stuffing. RAISINS IN DRESSING! WITH GRAVY ON IT!"

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REPLY
75. Taytay Randolph
"Andrew McMillan oh hell naw lmao"

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REPLY
76. Onyeka Onyebuchukwu
"Ummmm, bro about next thanksgiving, i won't be able to make it."

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77. Kruto
"I don't think that's a white people thing"

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REPLY
78. V Barle
"Kruto it very much is."

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79. tiredofthis
"As a fellow caucasian I have eaten some weird strange 70s inspired food at my grandma's with mixed dried fruit in places it does not belong to
And can we stop with the raisins it's a waste of grapes"

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80. Ambar Acuña
"hahaha sorry, but if eating bland, tasteless food keeps you healthy...don't want to be it! There ain't nothing like soul food...now eat your bland potato salad and be sad 😂"

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REPLY
81. kourtney scruggs
"Ambar Acuña Tell him about it, Ms. Ma'am!!!! Tell him what it is!!!"

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REPLY
82. xXImGayXx
"Ambar Acuña You're trying so hard to be black and it is honestly pathetic you're like 90% Spaniard please stop."

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REPLY
83. Ambar Acuña
"I never said i was 😂😂😂 i am a Mexican American that happens to looooovvveee food! 😊 and i know how to make it 😉😘"

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REPLY
84. kourtney scruggs
"Ambar Acuña you might as well be black, them pigs will be coming for you, too. I'll save a spot for you at the EASTSIDE REUNION. Bring your potato salad."

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REPLY
85. Ambar Acuña
"😂😂 my husband's from St Louis, we'll bring the ribs 😂 i wasn't trying to belittle the "healthy" community out there, but everyone knows good food can make all that bitterness go away...makes you happy...guess no one's mentioned that to this person 😂😂😂😂"

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REPLY
86. kourtney scruggs
"Ambar Acuña Never enough ribs! You got baked beans for them ribs?"

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87. Honee x
"T'Challa: Aw hell naw Karen keep your bland ass potato salad to yourself. That was too funny! Chadwick can do comedy too."

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88. My Twisted Lyf TV with Poetry
"I swear I just said this about my white friend and her stuffing (first mistake my side eye was already going). Then I saw the raisins! I was like raisins girl aww hell naw."

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89. Drewski217
"Tell me WHY I was so proud he got that potato salad question right LOL"

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90. bigtaz504
"It’ll be funny if Karen is put into black panther 2. With her bland ass potato salad."

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91. Chris M
"Potato salad with no paprika? Aw hell naw!"

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92. Dawn White
"I want to know who are the 4.5k people who gave this a thumbs down....I don’t get it this was hilarious!! I watched this about 20 times and laughed every time....raisin in potato salad classic"

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93. Warriors FC7
"He was so polite and formal describing the dish up to that last statement 😆"

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94. Taj The Great One
"I swear SNL ratings went up like crazy during this episode!
"Karen keep your bland ass potatoe salad to yourself!"
😂😂😂😂"

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REPLY
95. Tim B
"Taj The Great One this was hilarious from start to finish!!"

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REPLY
96. Tim B
"Taj The Great One its even funnier the way kenan is egging Tachalla on to answer the potato salad question: (Say it)"

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97. Reina Macarena
"Taj The Great One
I wish they would've named her Becky 🤣"

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98. OG Lurker
"DAMMIT KAREN. WE TOLD YOU TO JUST BRING ICE."

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REPLY
99. Dee Dee DaDiva
"OG Lurker 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂"

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REPLY
100. Gavin Mahoney
"now you already kno she finna try to create a vegan alternative to ice n bring that instead"

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REPLY
101. TAZY
"Not even the ice bruh, we just told her to bring the paper plates!"

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102. Tak Giant
"I'm here wondering, wtf is a potato salad?"

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REPLY
103. Amanda Roberts
"Tak Giant it’s a mayonnaise based or mustard based with chopped boiled and skinned potatoes and you can add something crunchy like celery or pickles and sometimes eggs but season this stuff (mustard is a little better because it has something in there that is not bland as fu&k.* )

Also it goes well with bbq"

**
104. Shaleigh09
"Whoever wrote this skit should get a raise 😂😂😂😂😂... the best yet"

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105. Cool Younkers
"Yo the Potato Salad had me 💀"

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106. Lexiaa Forever
"Ain’t lying bout that potato salad . ❗️❗️❗️"

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REPLY
107. Josh Allen
"It just shows you that black people from all cultures don't play about that potato salad LOL"

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108. LEGO Rocket Raccoon
"I'm white and even I know not to trust white people's potato salad."

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109. Pamela C.
"LEGO Rocket Raccoon I’m hollering now😂😂😂😂😂"

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110. TstormVA2012
"ROFL!!!!!"

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111. Writer'sBlock101
"Who the hell puts raisins in potato salad!?!? 😂😂😂"

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REPLY
112. James Martin
"The same kind of person who puts blueberries in mac and cheese or peas in guacamole, both of which have happened."

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113. aljohn tabion
"White people lol"

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114. Natamic26
"Writer'sBlock101 Wypipo"

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115. Judah TheOracle
"http://www.oliviascuisine.com/creamy-potato-salad-with-apples-raisins-and-walnuts/"

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116. Tre Staples
"Judah TheOracle He must have seen this recipe lol"

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117. Monica Wilson
"An instant Classic. I was laughing so hard by the time he got to "aw hell..." I could not hear it. Loved the way Chadwick stayed in character. OMG - I must have watched this 5 times already...and will some more."

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118. DrBraxy Gilkey
"I also love that, even thought King T'Challa has never had potato salad, his Blackness intuitively knew paprika was involved. I am still laughing off this!

Here's a good crack up session: Go watch the SNL Wakanda sketch with Sterling K. Brown, then come back and watch this. And don't worry: when you die laughing, I promise to make the potato salad for your funeral (Karen ain't invited! Lol). :o)"
-snip-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uBP6UL-jEU&t=67s Black Panther New Scene - SNL Saturday Night Live, Published on Mar 10, 2018

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119. Ellbe84
"DrBraxy Gilkey and funniest comment award goes to you😂⚰️😂⚰️

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120. Anastasia Beaverhausen
"Hell there are some Black people potatoe salad I won't touch... My mama being one of them.."

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121. y ago
"Anastasia Beaverhausen Word,You can't just eat any potato salad."

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122. KingBreezy
"I really hope they make fun of this moment in Black Panther 2 or at least mention potato salad. It’s not canon but man would it be funny if it was 😂"
-snip-
"Canon" here refers to "official story lines" in Black Panther Marvel Comics.

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123. lit Banana
"If your potato salad doesn't have spices, you can put it right in the trash, where it belongs."

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124. Henry Rodin
" "Aw hell nah, Karen! Keep your bland-ass potato salad to yourself!" It was waaay funnier with the T'Challa accent lmaoooo"

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REPLY
125. ReblazeGaming
"Henry Rodin It's not a T'Challa accent it's a specific South African accent."

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REPLY
126. Science Cosmos
"It's actually East African accent. You need to hear Kenyans and Ugandans speak their official language (English)."

**
127. bobbyw223
"That accent is South African tho lol"

**
REPLY
128. Ram
"bobbyw223
Yeah it’s a weird mix of a few African Accents and general chivalrous high speech."

**
129. Kaila woods
"R.I.P any white girl named Karen for the next month people will say you have bland ass potato salad xD"

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REPLY
130. Grateful Majesty
"Kaila woods nothing new. White people have always had bland food"

**
REPLY
131. KKRS
"And going into cookout season...sorry Karen"

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132. Zarias
"How Chadwick gets through the potato salad bit without even the merest crack of a smile is simply amazing."

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133. jayson biggs
"The potato salad is dead on! At my job we would have pot lucks. Sometimes my white coworkers would bring potato salad and it rarely was ever right. Bland as hell! As soon as I saw the potato salad on the screen I burst out laughing because I instantly knew where they were going with this!"

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ADDENDUM: Sub-Thread: Black Cookout Rules & Regulations (published April 13-April 16, 2018) in this embedded video's discussion thread

1. hulagirl67
"**BLACK COOKOUT RULES AND REGULATIONS**
1) Don't arrive until at least 75-90 minutes after the start time designated on the invitation.
2) Don't come empty-handed.
3) NOBODY gets a plate before Big Mamma.
4) DJ must dos --> "Before I Let Go" by Maze, "Love Like This" by Faith Evans, and "Summertime" by Fresh Prince
5) Be prepared to Wobble.
6) Pros only at the spades table. This is for your own protection.
7) Don't go into the house unless you have to pee.
8) Don't expect for your chair to still be unoccupied when you return.
9) Only great aunts are allowed to fux with the potato salad so no need to keep asking if anyone knows who made it.
10) For you take homers: If they did not come, put in on the food, or help in any way, they do NOT get a plate. PERIOD."

**
REPLY
2. Jackeline Frost
"hulagirl67 as a black person I confirm this true"

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REPLY
3. Zion, The Person
"As a fellow black person, I can also confirm this."

**
REPLY
4. Esohe Osaghae
"These should be official rules, number 4 is so true"

**
REPLY
5. Eastside Sage
"💯% Accurate"

**
REPLY
6. miggie2099
"you need to put this on a plate or wall scroll and sell it for $10"

**
REPLY
7. Aaron Verico1
"On everything this list is true. Lol.
I'll also add that dominos apply as well, that only pros can play at the table, at Black cookouts.
The stakes get even higher, if alcohol drinking is involved.
The sh&t*-talking and putdowns go to another level. That's definitely been the case, with my dad, uncles, and some of my dad's friends at the table. Lol.

I would also add "Outstanding" by the Gap Band; as a must-play song at Black family reunions, or cookouts.
I wish my fam would have more of them. They're always a blast. 💯"
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in that comment in that YouTube discussion thread.

**
REPLY
8. InuMiroLover
"Kids must dance for the entertainment of their elders and they dont get anything but hamburgers and hot dogs."

**
REPLY
9. julez4002
"4. September - Earth Wind Fire not Karen's cousin Taylor Smith."

**
REPLY
10. chocprincess7
"Facts. Lol !"

**
REPLY
11. C1rcu1tBr34k3r
"Funny how this is Universal across the nation."

**
REPLY
12. Some Guy
"Black guy here. The list is legit."

**
REPLY
13. Candie P
"Lmaooo. Number 10 is right on the money in my family 🤣🤣🤣"

**
REPLY
14. Rohan Davey
"For #4, don't forget the Cha Cha Slide

**
REPLY
15. Raj Beekie
"I don't think the last one is well known. If it is, it is not often precticed."

**
REPLY
16. Mia Moore
"Pretty accurate but for number 4 I would add "Candy" by Cameo that's Always played"

**
REPLY
17. Lena Sabine
"And white people must be chaperoned by a FAMILY Member of the HOSTING parties Mama or aunt Donna."

**
REPLY
18. SketchCat !!!
"hulagirl67 you forgot That once you get there you better speak to everybody (which means whoever see you) before eating and let them say ‘you got big last time I saw you you was thiiiiissss 👌🏾 small huh baby Child”"
-snip-
UPDATE: April 18, 2018 [9:03 AM EST]
19.Kindell Armstrong
"Theses are unspoken yet iron clad rules never to be broken. If sed rules are broken then the US black councils will revoke your black card and your children’s black card for up to 3 generations."

**
20. A Paddy
"You forget to add The Gap Band - Outstanding to the playlist."

**
21. Ahmasi
"You forgot that children are only allowed to eat hot dogs and hamburgs. Don't ask for a rib or steak."

**
22. PrincessAshley121
"Yea, Um... I'm from a Jamaican family and I cannot relate to any of this at all. Sorry l;"

**
23. Sheryl Smallwood
"Quick question- when you bring something, can it be from another culture (ex: Chilean/Argentian Empenadas) or does it have to be American food? Asking for a friend."

**
REPLY
24. Ahmasi
"Sheryl Smallwood It depends. But as long as it was approved by both the host and the cook ( They aren’t always the same person) ahead of time, you should be golden"

**
25. frogers3
"Your list is suspect from rule 1. Who in the hell sends invitations to a black cookout? Everyone who hears about it just shows up!!!"

****
This concludes Part II of this pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Vibrations - Ain't No Greens In Harlem (lyrics & video)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on the soul food dish "greens".

Part II showcases a sound file and my transcription of lyrics for the 1972 comic Rhythm & Blues/early Hip Hop song "Ain't No Greens In Harlem".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/02/1925-african-american-dance-song-greasy.html for Part I of this series. Part I provides information about "collard greens". Collard greens and kale are the vegetables that African Americans usually mean when we refer to "greens".

Part I also showcases the lyrics to the African American dance song "Greasy Greens" that is included in the 1925 book The Negro And His Songs A Study Of Typical Negro Songs In The South by Howard W. Odum & Guy B. Johnson.

In addition, Part I features an instructional video on how to cook collard greens, Southern soul food style - but with smoked turkey legs instead of pork.

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The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the Vibrations for their musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this psot, and thanks to the instructor and publisher of the featured video.

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INFORMATION ABOUT COLLARD GREENS
Collard greens and kale are the vegetables that African Americans usually mean when we refer to "greens".

Here's an excerpt of the Wikipedia article on "Collard Greens".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collard_greens
..."Collard greens are a staple vegetable of Southern U.S. cuisine. They are often prepared with other similar green leaf vegetables, such as kale, turnip greens, spinach, and mustard greens in "mixed greens".[5] They are generally eaten year-round in the South. Typical seasonings when cooking collards consist of smoked and salted meats (ham hocks, smoked turkey drumsticks, pork neckbones, fatback or other fatty meat), diced onions, vinegar, salt, and black, white, or crushed red, pepper, and some cooks add a small amount of sugar. Traditionally, collards are eaten on New Year's Day,[6] along with black-eyed peas or field peas and cornbread, to ensure wealth in the coming year,[7][8] as the leaves resemble folding money.[9][10] Cornbread is used to soak up the "pot liquor", a nutrient-rich collard broth."...

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LYRICS*- AIN'T NO GREENS IN HARLEM
(as sung by The Vibrations)

Group- Ain’t no greens in Harlem
Vegetable man on strike*
Ain’t no greens in Harlem, y’all

Lead singer rapping:
Had a taste inside me
For some good old fashioned greens.
Group - Yeah!
Didn’t want no yams.
Didn’t want no ham.
Didn’t want no butterbeans.
Group - What!
I shot down to the market.
And there I saw a sign.
Group - Yeah!
I must be goin crazy
Or else I’m goin blind.
Because the sign said:
Group - Ain’t no greens in Harlem.
Lead - I didn’t read that.
Group - Vegetable man on strike".
Lead - I think something’s wrong with my ears.
Group - Ain’t no greens in Harlem.
Lead - Something’s wrong.
Group - Vegetable man on strike.
Lead - He’s what?!
Group - Ain’t no greens in Harlem, y’all.
Vegetable man on strike
He been gone
So long.
He ain’t comin back.
Lead -Y’all no where he went?
Group - Ain’t comin back.

Lead singer rapping:
I caught myself a subway.
I got off way ‘cross town.
Group - Yeah!
I’m gonna get myself some greens today
Or tear the damn door down.
Group - Oh yeah!
I finally found the window
And eased myself inside.
Group - Yeah!
But the rats got there before I did
So I left unsatisfied.

Group - Ain’t no greens in Harlem, y’all.
Lead - What you say?
Vegetable man on strike
Lead - Can you believe this?!
Ain’t no greens in Harlem.
Lead - Oh, my goodness.
Vegetable man on strike.
Lead - I don’t know what I’mma do now.
Ain’t no greens in Harlem, y’all.
Lead - Anybody know where he went?
Vegetable man on strike
He been gone
So long.
Ain’t comin back.
Lead - You mean NEVER?!
Group - Ain’t comin back.
Lead- Oh, my goodness.

[music]

Lead - I finally got myself together.
And ran the whole game down.
Group - Yeah!
There’s only one thing left to do
When there ain’t no greens around.
Group - Oh, yes.
I’ll have some greens another time
I’ll settle for some bird.
Group - Yeah!
But when I turned my radio on.
THIS is what I heard:
Recorded voice: Ah, there’s sad news tonight, ladies and gentlemen.
The poultry workers of America just went on strike.
There is NO chicken in Harlem or elsewhere.
Lead: WHAT?!
No chicken in Harlem?!
[Crying] Aah Ha Haa Haaa!
Group - Ain’t no chicken in Harlem.
Poultry mans on strike.
Lead - [Crying] Aah Ha Haa Haaa!
Group - Ain’t no chicken in Harlem, y’all.
Lead - [Crying] Aah Ha Haa Haaa!
Poultry man on strike.
Group - Ain’t no greens in Harlem, y’all.
Lead - Ah, no!
Vegetable man on strike.
Lead - Ah, no. Don’t tell me that.
Group- Ain’t no greens in Harlem.
Lead - Ah, Lawd, there ain’t no greens.
Group -Vegetable man on strike.
Lead- [Cryin] Ahh haa haa.
Group - Ain’t no greens in Harlem.
Lead - Give me some chicken, I don’t want a lot.
Group- Ain’t no greens in Harlem, y’all.
Lead- [crying] Ahh haa!
I didn’t want no yams.
I didn’t want no yams.
Group-Ain’t no greens in Harlem.
Lead- I didn’t want no butterbeans.
All I wanted was a little bit of greens.
or just a little bird.
Group Ain’t no greens in Harlem

[song fades out]
-snip-
This is my transcription from the sound file found below. Italics means that I'm unsure about my transcription of those words.
Additions and corrections are welcome.
-snip-
UPDATE: December 26, 2019: Thanks to Anonymous December 26, 2019 for correcting my transcription of that recurring line from one that I thought was probably wrong to one that certainly makes much more sense given the title and gist of the song. Also, thanks Anonymous. Your comment also resulted in me catching my mistake in the title of this post.

Explanation of several terms:
"greens" = probably refers to collard greens or kale or spinach etc.

"yams, ham, and butterbeans" = additional examples of "soul food" [Consider, for example the Old Time Music song "Cornbread & Butterbeans" by Carolina Chocolate Drops and other groups.]

"bird" = in the context of this song = fried chicken

"I shot down to the market." = I hurried down to the market.

"I finally got myself together." - I finally pulled myself together (in the context of this song, "made peace with the fact that I wouldn't get any greens.")

"And ran the whole game down." = And figured out what to do given the situation

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FEATURED VIDEO: The Vibrations - Ain't No Greens In Harlem



Marty Spitfly, Uploaded on Aug 15, 2010
-snip-
Click http://www.uncamarvy.com/Jayhawks/jayhawks.html for information about the Vibrations vocal group.

****
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Visitor comments are welcome.