Mean Reigns

Mean reigns: its banner rises above the poor and the suffering and the global violence that bombs homes and threatens children and that seems to incite mobs and nations to reflexively attack the weak and completely ignore the trampled moral view, missed political opportunities and lost economic progress.

Even in the midst of good news and new milestones, mean is on display, in full regalia. Among the week’s high points was the historic US-Africa Leaders Summit held in Washington, from August 4 to 6, headquartered at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, with meetings throughout the city.

The Summit is the first ever gathering of African heads of states in Washington, a historic landmark under-reported by all the networks and major media. The broad agenda includes health, education, women’s issues, infrastructure, the rule of law, faith, food security, wildlife trafficking, and a future look at governing by the next generation. First Lady Michelle Obama and former First Lady Laura Bush team up (in another historic first!) to organize a day of activities for spouses in support of the main agenda.

So important is this first of its kind, historic meeting that the menu for the state dinner is top secret. White House chef Cristeta Comerford (of Philippine heritage!) embargoed the menu, preferring to talk about the difficult logistics of cooking for leaders of countries—carrying out “culinary diplomacy”–with so many religious restrictions and customs among their diets, but she has said several dishes will feature foods selected and picked from the White House garden begun by the First Lady in the first term. The garden’s offerings will include 30 pounds of green peas. (Note: the dinner was held Tuesday night, August 6; the one item we now know was served was the great American favorite, cornbread. The main course was a specially grown Texas wagyu beef.)