# Were these magic grits? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 9, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632 "2005-06-09T19:30:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2005, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/41 "2005-06-12T04:51:07Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > I disagree. We have a good view of what happens when that’s _institutionalized_, when white property owners are allowed to send goons in the night to rustle up negroes and Injuns and tie them to trees. What I advocate is liberty for all men — the black ones and the white ones (and the always forgotten red ones). Give me the freedom to compete against a bigoted white merchant who is unable to call upon the politician in his pocket to oppose me, and I will be a wealthy man. He doesn’t have to call upon politicians to make it almost impossible for you to win. It doesn’t have to be institutionalized to be a load of crap that not only is hugely unfair but gets in the way of the growth of the nation, intellectually and economically. My dad told me that in 1978 a neighbor in suburban St. Louis pulled him aside and asked if he were really considering selling his house to a black couple, as that would be bad for the property values. Yes, I think that outlawing this kind of thing is a good thing. Pointedly. “Yes, there should be laws saying that you can’t deny services to people just because of what they were born to look like, even if it is your own business/house/apartment building.” Note that this is not “whomever shows up on his doorstep”. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2005, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/42 "2005-06-12T14:21:54Z")
They may very well use instant grits, but they don’t cook them to order. There’s a rectangular cambro over a hot table. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2005, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/43 "2005-06-12T16:18:03Z")
> [@Cardinal](#): > > He doesn’t have to call upon politicians to make it almost impossible for you to win. Says who? If he can’t use his goons to stop people like you from coming to my restaurant, how will I not succeed? If racial bigotry is a small minority viewpoint, then how can it overpower the rest of us? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2005, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/44 "2005-06-12T16:40:48Z")
Just wondering. We don’t have grits up here in Canada. I understand that grits is African American ethnic cuisine. Do whites regularly eat grits as well? If not, could that be the basis for the racism charge? ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2005, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/45 "2005-06-12T16:49:44Z")
Grits are a southern thing, not an ethnic one. Although there may be differences in how blacks and whites season grits. Most of the black folks I know like theirs on the salty side, with ample amounts of cheese added. But my boyfriend who is white adds _syrup_ to his. That is just wrong on so many levels. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2005, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/46 "2005-06-12T17:17:43Z")
> [@you with the face](#): > > Grits are a southern thing, not an ethnic one. Although there may be differences in how blacks and whites season grits. Most of the black folks I know like theirs on the salty side, with ample amounts of cheese added. But my boyfriend who is white adds _syrup_ to his. There is ample racism in the South, but we also have issues that unite us no matter the color of your skin. The taboo against sweet grits is one of these issues. Tell your boyfriend that he’s not eating no cream of goddamn wheat, and snatch that syrup bottle out of his hand. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2005, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/47 "2005-06-12T20:25:16Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Says who? If he can’t use his goons to stop people like you from coming to my restaurant, how will I not succeed? If racial bigotry is a small minority viewpoint, then how can it overpower the rest of us? You said “institutionalized”. He can have goons without his attitude being institutionalized or being able to call on government support. You can also have a semi-secret agreement among home-owners or business owners or what-evers to impede your progress without the attitude being an overwhelming majority opinion, and without government support. I’m really surprised to get flack on this one. I’ve heard some pretty good arguments against college entrance or hiring quotas, and given some, but I’ve never met someone who thought I should be able to make blacks or whoever eat in the special filthy back room in my restaurant. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/48 "2005-06-13T15:28:08Z")
[QUOTE=Askia] **DrDeth.** Ahhhhh. you’re from San Jose. Whattya know from good grits? QUOTE] How about changing “good” to “traditional”. I like them cooked loosely with a little ground oatmeal, lots of butter. But then I’m from Ohio and that combination would be called grits-and-oatmeal. For those people who’ve never been to to a Waffle House, the kitchen is in the dining room. They cook in front of you. And as already pointed out, they cook grits ahead of time in a single pot. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/49 "2005-06-13T16:19:01Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > How about changing “good” to “traditional”. I like them cooked loosely with a little ground oatmeal, lots of butter. But then I’m from Ohio and that combination would be called grits-and-oatmeal. :eek: Do you mix your coffee and orange juice together, too? Sorry, but that’s **nasty**. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/50 "2005-06-13T16:28:58Z")
\*\*Magiver. \*\* Ahhh, you’re from Ohio. Whattya know from good grits? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/51 "2005-06-13T16:47:28Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > :eek: > > Do you mix your coffee and orange juice together, too? Sorry, but that’s **nasty**. > > Daniel No but I put tomato juice in my beer (with a little pepper on top). Mmmm Beer. > [@Askia](#): > > Magiver. Ahhh, you’re from Ohio. Whattya know from good grits? ## I know you can’t get them in Ohio. Beer, it’s not just for breakfast anymore. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/52 "2005-06-13T16:57:09Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > Tell your boyfriend that he’s not eating no cream of goddamn wheat, and snatch that syrup bottle out of his hand. > > Daniel You are on a roll, dude. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/53 "2005-06-13T17:00:03Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I know you can’t get them in Ohio. :: Crosses \*\*Magiver’\*\*s name off shit list. :: ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/54 "2005-06-13T17:12:41Z")
> [@Cardinal](#): > > I’m really surprised to get flack on this one. I’ve heard some pretty good arguments against college entrance or hiring quotas, and given some, but I’ve never met someone who thought I should be able to make blacks or whoever eat in the special filthy back room in my restaurant. You still haven’t. They don’t have to eat in your place at all. I invite them to eat in my establishment, front and center, with the most attentive service. You’d be surprised how many entrepreneurs understand that profit is profit. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/55 "2005-06-14T01:35:15Z")
I dunno? :dubious: but when I hear the Keebler cookies are magically delicious… :eek: ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/56 "2005-06-14T18:16:25Z")
> [@](#): > > The waitress allegedly would not assure the plaintiffs that their other orders would be safe and clean and did not indicate that the replacement grits would be taken from anyplace other than the same pot from which the infested grits had come. Well, duh. If they only have one pot o’ grits, where else are they going to get 'em? This is the point where the story loses it, IMO. As has been mentioned, a Waffle House has one room, with the kitchen on one side of a fairly low counter and the seating on the other side of that counter. Watching your food being cooked is part of the _ambiance_ ;). What could possibly have prevented these women from observing the preparation of their food if they were concerned? P.S. Grits are the vile leavings of hellspawned demons. I insist that the WH staff leave mine in the warmer. You’d be amazed at how difficult it can be to get them to NOT bring the damn things. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/57 "2005-06-14T18:26:29Z")
But if you season them with enough butter and pepper that you can’t taste them, they’re quite good! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/58 "2005-06-14T20:12:51Z")
“Waiter, there’s a fly in my grits!” “So, at these prices, you were expecting maybe an eagle?” Sorry, but as a card-carrying Northern conservative, I say to anyone who finds flies in their grits, suck it up and pick out the flies. Then throw away the grits, and eat the flies. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/59 "2005-06-14T20:50:58Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Then throw away the grits, and eat the flies. This does seem like tthe happiest solution. After all, time’s sure fun when you’re having flies! Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632/60 "2005-06-14T21:21:27Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Says who? If he can’t use his goons to stop people like you from coming to my restaurant, how will I not succeed? If racial bigotry is a small minority viewpoint, then how can it overpower the rest of us? What if it’s the majority viewpoint? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-these-magic-grits/307632.md?page=4)