For this unit, we are studying the Maya and the reading that was assigned was authored by Benson and Fischer. Going into this reading, I could safely say I did not know what to expect. Heading into this unit, I definitely did not expect to read anything about broccoli but we did just that. While I did not expect to read about this, the contents within the reading were very thought-provoking and with the reading being centred about broccoli, it was intriguing in its own, weird way.

One main take-away I had from this reading was how much I could heavily relate to one particular side of the picture painted by Benson and Fischer. In this case, I related to Susan’s side because she could be someone who goes shopping in the same grocery store I would shop at. I thought of my relation to this person like this: If Susan and I were to shop in the same grocery store for the same purpose of attaining groceries, then the author’s description of Susan can be applied to myself.

To continue off of the previous point, the fact that I could apply myself to the person in the reading was very eye-opening. Firstly, in terms of my privilege. In this aspect, I think that it is easy for us to take our access to an extensive amount of produce for granted. Benson and Fischer mention the “year-round supply of fresh and frozen vegetables” (801), which is something that many of us here have access to. Yet, the work it takes to cultivate and harvest these vegetables is gruelling, as outlined in the article.

This reading really taught me to not take the things we have access to for granted. Even though I can go to the local grocery store and buy a crown of broccoli for a few bucks, I have to acknowledge that the work it took for that broccoli (and other fruits and vegetables) may have been intense and tiresome for the individual who harvested it.