DP News

November 17, 2009

Some food for thought

Misericordia ‘banquet’ portrays inequality

DALLAS TWP. – In the grand scheme of things, it was a small gesture; as students at Misericordia University, they would all be able to stop at the school cafeteria later.

But there was a moment of palpable awkwardness on Monday evening during a world-hunger simulation dubbed the Hunger Banquet when five students who were served chicken and cake at a table with fancy place settings watched as about 30 others had a pile of rice and pita bread dropped on the floor in their midst.

Taking the hint as if on cue, the five, who represented the minority of the world population with “high” living standards, announced their food was available to anyone and placed it on a communal table to which they added the bowls of rice and pita bread.

One participant, Joe Frank, went so far in expressing his solidarity with their plight that he gave up his seat the table and sat on the floor with the crowd, who represented the majority of humans with “low” socio-economic situations.

However, the awkwardness was still playing out. A “middle” table, with six participants who had been served hotdogs and chips, had served themselves without offering up their food. Eventually, the plate of hotdogs would be passed around, but the point was obvious.

“We really want them to be uncomfortable,” said Kristen Mitchell, Misericordia’s community outreach coordinator. “I think kind of giving them that whole scenario gave them a reality check.”

“I came in as middle class, and it sucked to be down here,” said Liz Show, who had randomly drawn a middle-class ticket, but volunteered to be an example of someone who becomes lower class through unemployment.

The banquet, which was designed by the Oxfam America relief organization, simulates the worldwide hunger situation by randomly assigning participants to the three classes. The upper class, which is set apart, receives preferential treatment in full view of the others, who are treated with a level of mock disdain inversely proportional to their economic situation.

Madison Bradley related her experiences as an employee at a country club, where she said people do act as privileged and spoiled as is portrayed. “I feel so bad being of these people,” she said, “because they’re so mean.”

Fellow high-classer Ashley Ballard brought the point home, calling on her peers to do their part in reality. “I would like people to stop taking so much (extra) food in the cafeteria,” she said, lamenting the fact that, to reduce return trips for more food, people often take extra trays and end up throwing away portions they never touch.

“I think people are getting a little too luxurious at college,” she said.

The banquet, in its sixth year at the school, begins a whole week of events to highlight the internationally designated week. A photo exhibition of homeless people will be on display today, followed by a panel discussion of several homeless people.

Wednesday and Thursday will feature a homeless “sleep out” on the campus quad and a 24-hour hunger fast.

Rory Sweeney, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 970-7418.

Tweet	Follow @TLnews

This story also appears on the following websites...