Speaking of Food
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The Magazine of the National Communication Association September 2019 | Volume 55, Number 3 SPEAKING foodOF ABOUT Spectra, the magazine of the National Communication Association 2019 NCA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (NCA), features articles on topics that are relevant to Communication In this issue scholars, teachers, and practitioners. Spectra is one means through President MESSAGE FROM 2 which NCA works toward accomplishing its mission of advancing Star Muir, George Mason University THE PRESIDENT Communication as the discipline that studies all forms, modes, media, First Vice President More than a Seat at the Table and consequences of communication through humanistic, social By Star Muir, Ph.D. scientific, and aesthetic inquiry. Kent Ono, University of Utah NCA serves its members by enabling and supporting their Second Vice President SPOTLIGHT professional interests. Dedicated to fostering and promoting free and David McMahan, Missouri Western State University 4 ethical communication, NCA promotes the widespread appreciation Public Presence: of the importance of communication in public and private life, the Immediate Past President NCA Participates in Research application of competent communication to improve the quality of Ronald L. Jackson II, University of Cincinnati 7 Exhibition on Capitol Hill AN INTRODUCTION human life and relationships, and the use of knowledge about Diversity Council Chair Teaching and Learning: communication to solve human problems. NCA supports inclusiveness SPEAKING OF FOOD Denison University Hosts Rachel Alicia Griffin, University of Utah and diversity among our faculties, within our membership, in the NCA Institute for workplace, and in the classroom; NCA supports and promotes policies Publications Council Chair Faculty Development that fairly encourage this diversity and inclusion. Kevin Barge, Texas A&M University NCA Hosts 2019 Chairs’ The views and opinions expressed in Spectra articles are those Summer Institute of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Research Council Chair 8 NCA and Shenzhen University Communication Association. Mindy Fenske, University of South Carolina CHANGING THE of China Hold Forum on CONVERSATION All NCA members receive a Spectra subscription. The magazine also Teaching & Learning Council Chair “Communication Innovation, is available via individual print subscription for non-members at the ABOUT FOOD Shannon VanHorn, Valley City State University New Media, and annual cost of $50; to subscribe, visit portal.natcom.org/bookstore. By Sheril Kirshenbaum, M.S. Digital Journalism.” Please note that you will need to create an account, if you do not Finance Committee Chair NCA Doctoral Honors already have one. Marnel Niles Goins, California State University, Fresno Seminar Held at University Spectra (ISSN 2157-3751) is published four times a year (March, May, Finance Committee Director of South Florida September, and November). ©National Communication Association. In Our Journals All rights reserved. Raymie McKerrow, Ohio University 14 Finance Committee Director YOU ARE WHAT YOU WATCH: FOOD TELEVISION’S CULTURE WAR Jeanetta D. Sims, University of Central Oklahoma CAREER 33 ADVERTISING IN SPECTRA By Casey Ryan Kelly, Ph.D. OPPORTUNITIES Executive Director For information about placing an advertisement in Spectra, Trevor Parry-Giles please visit www.natcom.org/advertising. ADVERTISING IN CAREER OPPORTUNITIES SPECTRA STAFF Deadline for November issue: September 15 Director of External Affairs and Publications Deadline for March issue: January 15 Wendy Fernando Submit text-only ads online at www.natcom.org/postjob/. [email protected] 20 DID YOU KNOW Payment information must accompany ad order. IN “TROUBLE” WITH(OUT) CULTURE: ? Contributors FOOD SHAMING AND AFRICAN- More than 50 sessions will Visit www.natcom.org/academic-professional-resources/nca- LaKesha Anderson AMERICAN FOODWAYS focus on food-related topics career-center/advertise-nca for information on submitting graphic Caitlyn Reinauer th ads. NCA accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, By Psyche Williams-Forson, Ph.D. at the upcoming NCA 105 Annual Convention, to be and purchase orders. Design held November 14–17, 2019, Questions? Contact [email protected]. Krystyn MacGregor in Baltimore, MD. For full NCA supports continued efforts to eliminate discriminatory hiring practices. Advertising and Permissions program details, visit All employers are asked to identify the inclusion of sexual orientation in Chelsea Bowes their affirmative action statements. Advertisers must provide information FAMILY MEALS AND THE natcom.org/convention. about the availability of spousal and domestic partner benefits, which will appear with all online and print advertisements. NCA is not responsible for Cover Art DISCOURSE ABOUT THEM verifying the accuracy of advertisements. Shutterstock.com/Rawpixel.com By Amber Kinser, Ph.D. 26 September 2019 National Communication Association 1 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT With increasingly diverse voices raised in our community, and seated at the table, we do not move in haste, but we do move More than a Seat at the Table forward with determination and dispatch. By Star Muir, Ph.D. aving a “seat at the table” is often taken to mean Caucuses, has brought important strong voices to the and breadth of our community. This was part of my Annual Convention experience (providing all-gender having some voice in a decision-making process. table, and provided key insights into revising our Anti- initial campaign, the tone of my convention theme, and bathrooms, a lactation room, transportation assistance, For many years, this has been a focus for diversity, Harassment policies, building a more inclusive editorial a continuing thread of my columns. Within the limits signage and registration changes for safety from equity, and inclusion efforts—bringing diverse staffing process, and changing the Distinguished Scholar of my bracket, I see the diversity, equity, and inclusion harassment, and other support). I generally avoid crisis Hpeoples and perspectives “to the table” for rich discussion. Award selection process. At meetings of the Executive concerns as very closely intertwined with how people mode activity, because mistakes are easier to make, and Yet some of our rhetorical touchstones might caution us Committee, a rich mix of voices and perspectives is experience the community of NCA. If you are disparaged, perspectives are easier to flatten, when one rushes, but about the metaphor, and impart limitations of the frame. heard, and we work hard to achieve consensus. Yet it harassed, denied opportunities, or denigrated, then the these concerns have become and will continue to be a The Arthurian legend of the round table, embracing the is also clear that as significant as these changes have community is not providing a safe or inclusive space. consistent and significant interwoven part of what we absence of a “head” of the table as an equalizing democratic been, they are only first steps in what I hope will If you find shared interests, feel you can be yourself, do. It is an amazing time to be a leader in NCA, and structure, is romantic and intriguing, but nonetheless be an inviting, engaging, reflective, and productive and are supported and appreciated by a community, it is quite thrilling to see the commitment and passion presents a very real cultural predicament: an egalitarian process of change moving forward. Let me offer a few then you will more likely feel included and respected. that will sustain us through needed changes. With structure totally belied by the elite qualifications for personal observations as we journey a while together. Fostering a strong sense of community is not the only increasingly diverse voices raised in our community, access as a male warrior. Even Judy Chicago’s striking As my bracket [white, male, cishet, 60, associate way to change member experiences, but it is certainly and seated at the table, we do not move in haste, but we triangular “Dinner Party,” which offers a rich celebration professor, UU, he/him] shows, I am well-served by very powerful, as broader and richer connections enhance do move forward with determination and dispatch. of women’s history by bringing 39 famous women to listening long and thoughtfully during discussions on inclusion while also sustaining teaching innovation One aspect of sitting at the table that is particularly the table, has drawn some criticism as “second wave” matters of race, gender, and power. While I have felt and supporting the creation of new knowledge. important for the theme of this issue of Spectra is the art missing an enriched racial dynamic. There are some of the desperation of poverty, my privilege has Reflecting on the state of our community, I breaking of bread and the sharing of food. Food is implications here for both the efficacy of structures and long made many experiences invisible to me. Having a prefer to think of this time as one of high energy a fundamental aspect of human cultures, and it is the importance of perceptions. Having a seat at the table diverse Executive Committee has brought experience, and commitment, rather than as any kind of crisis or interwoven with economics, entertainment, health, is fraught with rhetorical power, and making access insight, and emotion into sharp focus for me, and emergency. An outpouring of reflection and critique politics, and race in ways that can both strengthen fairly available to a broad and diverse membership is an has helped deepen my understanding