Meet Tunde Wey, the Nigerian chef creating social change through food
America is known as the land of opportunity.
But while that statement holds some truth, most of us know for a fact that this is still a country very much divided as racism, wealth disparity and violence are all still big problems all throughout United States.
Regardless of our differences in a multi-cultural society, there are a handful of individuals who still create ways to come together and look past all of that. Whether it’s through music, sports, or healthy debates, we still strive as a collective society to push for a more harmonious culture.
Nigerian food truck owner and chef, Tunde Wey, is playing his role perfectly.
Through food, Wey is able to shine the light on the racial economic divide in the U.S.
If you are White and you stumble across Wey’s food truck, you have the option to either pay $12 or $30 for a plate of food, while on the other hand, people of color are only obligated to pay $12 for a plate.
Seems fair right? Wey was recently in New Orleans when he was conducting his social experiment. If you don’t think it’s fair, Wey will be quick to put you on game.
The average income for African-American families in the “Big Easy” is $25,806.
On the contrary, the median income for white families is $64,377. He’ll also let you know that the national average income of white families compared to black families is $919,000 to $140,000. Sheesh.
Wey is trying to right the ship. Every plate is $12. Out of the $30 that is spent on the food, Wey gives $18 directly to any minority customer who wants it.
Wey said:
“When I tell black folks what’s happening, 90 percent of them start laughing, like, ‘For real?’ They’re tickled. White folks, there’s this blank — blank look. They’re like, ‘Huh, okay.'”
As the customers eat their comfort food, Wey engages them with some discomfortable table topics. You can expect to discuss police brutality, racism, sexism, wealth distribution and any other pressing issues the chef might want to indulge in.
While minorities find his social experiment as a relief, Wey said White’s felt uneasy about the situation.
Wey said:
“White folks or privileged folks are quick to try to find a solution, or ask for a solution, as opposed to sitting in the discomfort,”
Nevertheless, this is nothing new for Wey. Since 2014, he’s been traveling the U.S. serving his Nigerian delicacies to food lovers alike. Touring around the country on a Greyhound bus, Wey made a name for himself at pop-ups throughout the biggest cities.
Now, Wey has his own website where you can see what city he will be in next. There is also a full menu and he explains his reasoning, tailoring his service to your privilege.
Wey said:
“If I created the framework where I outline a problem that is indisputable, and I position you as an antagonist, and I give you a way to solve the problem tidily and be the hero — in the moment, anything other than the $30 choice becomes antisocial behavior.”
While in New Orleans, Chef Wey was astounded to see over 80% of White’s paid $30. Those who didn’t apologized when doing so. That’s when it dawned on Wey that social pressure plays a huge role in his experiment.
Chef Wey said:
I thought, if given the chance to voluntarily give up privilege, folks would not because it is not in their interest. That explained to me why the folks who refused to pay the $30 were equivocating, because they understood that they were participating in antisocial behavior”
Chef Wey is fighting for social change. Without a formal culinary background, he is still providing honest food and healthy conversation.
From April 29 – May 5, you can find Wey in Detroit giving back and enlightening the city.