Haydu, Jeffrey. “Cultural Modeling in Two Eras of U.S. Food Protest: Grahamites (1830s) and Organic Advocates (1960s-70s).” Social Problems (August 2011) 461-487
The primary concept explored within Jeffrey Haydu’s article “Cultural Modeling in Two eras of U.S. Food Protest: Grahamites (1830s) and Organic Advocates (1960s-70s)” are the ways in which culture and history had a dynamic impact on different social movements that outwardly have much in common. The two movements as discussed in the article were Grahamites of the early 1830s and the organic advocates of the 1960s and 70s. The author argues that despite their similarities, the manner in which food was connected to social problems, its relation to vice and virtue, personal and societal changes, as well as tactics- all varied. For Haydu this meant analyzing the cultural models at work and understanding their role in movement formation. Through an understanding of their similarities, crucial differences, and key terms, Haydu makes his claims and arguments clear to the audience in attempt to demonstrate the culture modeling influence on social movements. The article was published in Social Problems and the author is addressing scholars and leaders interested in social movement theory, history, and its cultivation.
A tool that Haydu uses to demonstrate contrast in similar movements is the concept of diffusion. Diffusion in this context is the transmission from movement to movement, creating a cultural model that represents the mental ideas, thoughts, and shared behavior of a society. This is a process within movements as well as across movements (465) that influences a large group of people. Haydu explains that this culture modeling creates scripts that apply appropriate social roles and behaviors to group lifestyles. These scripts are indicative of a community and group speak, however, some individuals are able to use these scripts across different settings. This transposition can be translated across movements like the Grahamite and organic movements.
By considering movements in this way, Haydu makes the case that their diffusion is connected to factors other than their shared concerns about food and diet. Without deeply analyzing the movements, their central goals appear to be identical- an overall healthier body, mind, and better community; accomplished through the production and consumption of food. However, moving beyond these main similarities the underlying motivation and purpose of these food movements have stark contrasts. The ideals of the Grahamites are not parallel to those of the organic movement.
Despite the similarities of the two movements there are striking differences that demonstrate how diffusion and cultural modeling have an effect on social movements. The Grahamite manner was representative of an evangelical and temperance lifestyle, motivated by the belief that they had a choice in their morality, accomplished through the consumption of specific foods. Personal change was transposed to cultural and community well-being–reducing crime, foreigners, and poverty. Their beliefs pushed towards a moral and dietary reform in pursue of a more perfect society.
The approach taken by organic advocates had a foundation far different than that used by Grahamites, as well as their tactics. The organic movement was an extension of the environmentalist movement. A primary difference being the definition of natural. Rather than conforming to ‘the word of the Lord’ natural was a retaliation of the corrupt social and technological advancements of society. It was also used to describe food free of chemicals and produced in a way that was “in harmony with natural biological processes.” (478). On a political scale they were grouped with environmentalists, as a small part of the ‘new left’ with ideals towards personal liberation.
The ways in which leaders of the organic movement went about pursuing their goals was through direct action with the government. Many of their strategies were focused on state-centered changes. Their goals were inclusive of winning government organic certification and regulations that ensured chemical free consumption. The distinctions between the Grahamites and the organic movement are very representational of the divide between Democrats and Republicans today. Typically the democratic party seeks to invoke change on the governmental level, where as religious and conservative groups aim to do so on an individualistic level. From a philosophical analyzation, perhaps this comes down to the issue of Free Will versus Determinism, and what we are able to change versus what is out of our control; regardless it is interesting how comparable movements can go about achieving their goals in completely different ways.
Publishing Connections and Contemporary Applications
Within the analysis of diffusion, schemas are often systems of measurement for social movements. Schemas provide outlines for successfully addressing and capturing the attention of specific audiences. Both the Grahamite movement as well as the organic movement had a large following of young, middle class adults. The dissemination of information and goals of these movements were very different because they were targeting groups of people that would be motivated by certain goals. The Grahamites
would experience the ultimate morality, being able to partake in an aspect of their salvation, whereas the organic movement could obtain liberation from the government, market, and corporate manipulation.
Movements that appear comparably similar can be fueled by parallel motivation, such as response to commercialization and technological changes. However, the underlying reasons for specific dietary lifestyles can be significantly different. For the Grahamites, their motivation was for personal responsibility, their liberation occurred through conversion, redemption, and self-discipline. Where as organic advocates were liberated through alternative methods of production and consumption, and the personal was the political in the sense that their approach was directed towards the government. Currently, the organic movement is fueled through multiple areas. Organic has a culture motivated by health, unfortunately it has also become a fad similarly to other popular diets. The motivation for companies to produce and sell ‘organic’ foods is based on the market and making money rather than simply for the health of consumers. Publishing and marketing have become huge tools for the organic food industry, and unfortunately often abused. Organic may not actually be organic unless listed as 100% organic.
There are, however, passionate advocates for the health of organic and plant based foods. One way in contemporary culture that this has been accomplished is through documentaries and short films. This is a great way to reach consumers and other individuals because most media is consumed via the television, computer, or web. One documentary in particular that represents multiple health benefits of organic food is, Food Matters. Regardless of the reasons behind the diffusion of organic foods, and the fact they may appear to be the same, does not merit truth in the sense that they are the same. Because according to the research their purposes are very different.