I decided to use my $10 at the West Side Bazaar in Buffalo, NY. The West Side Bazaar is a business incubator for refugees and immigrants and hosts shops and restaurants. Surprisingly, Buffalo has the largest refugee population in New York state, with most refugees being resettled on the West Side. I chose to use my $10 here because refugees and immigrants of color face the difficulty of both racial oppression and learning how to navigate a new country.
The restaurant I chose to visit is called Abyssinia Ethiopian Cuisine. The owner, Zelalem Gemmeda, is originally from Ethiopia and has been in Buffalo for 7 years. I ordered chicken and rice and received a delicious (and very spicy!) dish. I would definitely come back. Participating in this socially engaged art project made me feel that I had helped divert the money stream to less frequented businesses.
Buffalo is a very segregated city and most times it is very easy to exist within the comforts of what you know and experience on a day-to-day basis. This project really encouraged me to think more about the money I spend and how that contributes to a perpetuation of oppression in our society. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your important project.
The restaurant I chose to visit is called Abyssinia Ethiopian Cuisine. The owner, Zelalem Gemmeda, is originally from Ethiopia and has been in Buffalo for 7 years. I ordered chicken and rice and received a delicious (and very spicy!) dish. I would definitely come back. Participating in this socially engaged art project made me feel that I had helped divert the money stream to less frequented businesses.
Buffalo is a very segregated city and most times it is very easy to exist within the comforts of what you know and experience on a day-to-day basis. This project really encouraged me to think more about the money I spend and how that contributes to a perpetuation of oppression in our society. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your important project.
One Large participant: EB
Race/ethnicity of participant: white
Name of black-owned business: Abyssinia Ethiopian Cuisine
Location: Buffalo, NY
