In our day to day lives, we’re bombarded with what to eat, what to wear, what to listen to, and what to buy. Ultimately, the choice is up to the individual as it should be.
Today I was driving by a fundraiser for young man senselessly murdered last week. The family was selling tacos and drinks in order to raise funds for their son’s funeral I assume. Part of me wanted to pull over, park and buy as many tacos that I could devour, but part of me said, “you don’t know if they wash their hands.”
The idea of selling food for profit has always existed, and even the lady down the street sells Pupusas out of her garage nightly. I see little kids online getting their bake sales or lemonade stands shut down because they don’t have permits and it does make me feel really terrible. However, buying nourishment from the street can come with it’s own host of issues with dysentery being a major one.
I’ve languished over an intestinal infection for a week and for several days felt like my intestines were going to rip themselves apart. Ladies, I can only imagine this is what menstrual cramps feel like. My younger brother once fell ill to a churro from a street vendor and our family vowed never to buy anything off the streets ever again. I grew up eating only at legitimate establishments because they exist for a reason; to protect the consumer. Health inspections, Food Permits and vendor licenses are in place to ensure that diseases aren’t spread and our food is sanitary.
Cue my personal duality and:
The Capitalist in me says “Street tacos good. Support a worthy cause and help your fellow man. Take a risk!”
The Socialist in me says, “Don’t buy that, it’s a health code violation and takes money from legitimate taco vendors who paid for permits and licenses.”
