God’s Eyes Have Always Been Found In Black Kitchens

Historically black eyed peas were called the eye of God. This held special significance for our ancestors on Watch Night. 

On December 31, 1862, Black communities waited with bated breath for the news that the Emancipation Proclamation had gone into effect. 

Bowls of piping hot Hoppin’ John were passed around, the eyes of God like little pearls. 

From then on, it became a tradition to eat black-eyed peas at New Year’s gatherings. 

In 1904 the Black-owned newspaper Broad Ax reported, “Mrs. Marshall Drish, 4613 Dearborn Street, received a small bag of black-eyed peas from one of her lady friends […] with the request she should cook and eat them all on New Year’s Day; If she did so she would have plenty of money all the year round.” 

While black-eyed peas can be found throughout Southern Black cuisine, they’re also in popular West African dishes like Red Red. Across West Africa, black-eyed peas symbolize fertility, beauty, and ancestral wisdom. 

Black-eyed peas are a simple ingredient steeped in history and symbolism. They remind us God’s eyes are upon us. 

Just like our ancestors on Watch Night, we must continue to seek liberation while gathering in community and working together until we all are free.