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From: Ed P <esp@snet.n>
Newsgroups: rec.food.cooking
Subject: Ban watermelon?
Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2025 21:09:05 -0400
Organization: A noiseless patient Spider
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Another goofy one
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/14-moments-america-tried-to-ban-something-totally-harmless/ss-AA1BQGJK?

The Watermelon in the 19th Century

In the 1800s, some communities in the U.S. tried to ban watermelon 
during the summer, viewing it as a “frivolous” fruit. The watermelon was 
associated with African American culture, and some racist groups sought 
to prevent its consumption by white families, believing it was somehow 
linked to laziness or a lack of refinement. This attempt to ban the 
fruit was rooted in deep racial prejudice and an effort to control what 
was considered acceptable. Despite the efforts, watermelon continued to 
be a beloved summer fruit for many Americans.

The desire to ban watermelon is a strange chapter in the history of 
racial stereotypes and food culture. It’s hard to imagine a world where 
such an innocent fruit was seen as controversial. Today, watermelon is 
one of the most popular summer fruits, enjoyed by people of all 
backgrounds. The moment when it was nearly banned only highlights the 
absurdity of associating something as harmless as a fruit with prejudice 
and fear.