Month: November 2017

Because those who were blood-related were given the most important tasks, the individuals pictured above demonstrate the further isolation that the affinal family members are shown. The two individuals when asked if they minded not having any specific duties for the Thanksgiving celebration, one seemed to feel as if “it’s kind of nice to just be able to relax”. I deduced that the intentions of the unspoken structure of work was not to be exclusive, but rather to host and allow the “guests” to relax.

Because of the emphasis placed on kinship and community as a whole, no one felt as if decorations were important enough to assign to someone. Although one of the affinal family members “wouldn’t have minded at all” being put in charge of decorations, it was deemed unnecessary because to the Cubans, family and food are more important than decor. Additionally, the bright colors and pictures are a retainment of their Cuban culture, despite celebrating an American holiday.

Because nearly every family member in attendance, aside from a handful of affinal family members, were Cuban, the significant behind the celebration of thanksgiving takes on a different meaning than the typical American. Although nearly every family member was given a duty, no one was in charge of alcohol or pouring drinks. For the family, thanksgiving is a celebration of their assimilation into American culture, which means that there needs to be a free flowing amount of alcohol available for everyone, as means of celebration.

Despite the unspoken rules of elderly relatives allowing the younger generation to take the lead on the meal preparations, Tia Carrie is seen fixing up a cheese platter. Due to her persistent efforts, she was given a role in contributing to the meal preparations. Although typically the elderly people were not included in the meal preparations this year, she was given a task because of her determination to retain her placement within the political structure.

Although majority of the people inside the kitchen at any given time were female, there were men in and out of the kitchen throughout the preparations, as captured in this photograph. Because the political structure of Cuban thanksgiving is slightly different than that of a the typical American thanksgiving, there is room for fluidity and flexibility between the stereotypical gender domains.