The Plea of the Potato

Read Time : 5mins

A few days ago, I received a notification on my phone from an online delivery service that said: “Hey There! Just Potate!".?

And as the ritual goes, if you don’t know something, just Google it!?

So, I reached out to my reliable (most of the time) friend, and there it was, for those unversed with the Gen-Z lingo,

“Potate[1]: it is the art or act of embracing your inner potato-like qualities and simply just chillin' out”.

The thought lingered in my head, and I said to myself, “I wonder what it feels like to be a potato in today’s day and age?”?

(Now, before all the critical thinkers attack me, let me just say, this was not a revolutionary question, but a question nonetheless)

It’s obvious that potatoes have been a popular food for centuries and I feel it’s about time we recognized this multi-talented and “ap-peeling”?favourite.

So, through my covert and confidential sources, I have managed to get this spud's side of the story, and this is what it has to say, this is the Plea of the Potato!

Credit: graphicgeoff (iStock by Getty Images)

To begin with, our dear friend is not amused by the fact that we address it by various yet mispronounced names like “Puh-tato”, “Po-tay-to”, “Po-taa-to” and the likes.?

I mean how difficult is it to just say “Puh-tay-toh[2]”!?

Repeat in your head: “Puh-tay-toh”! It’s that simple. (Almost!)

Now that we have addressed the addressing, it might be news to you that potato is tired and bored of being stereotyped.

“How?” is your question?

“Potato is unhealthy, potato makes you fat” if this sounds familiar, then you have the answer.?

On the contrary, potatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which make them very healthy. Research[3] has linked potatoes and their nutrients to a variety of remarkable health benefits, it also has zero cholesterol and is naturally gluten free.

Moderation in consumption is the key people!

Talking more about its grievances, it feels extremely underrated and taken for granted. Even though it is widely accepted as food for the general population, since it is so commonly available, we assume there's nothing special about it. Guess what? It is food fit for the royalty and common people alike!?

(After a lot of convincing and promises of publicizing its grievances at every possible forum later, it revealed, that French Fries is a?favourite of the Duchess of Sussex[4]!)

Now again, I know what some of you might have to say,?

“So what? How is that a big deal?”, so for those who like to argue with statistics, hear me out.

Today, the potato is the fifth[5] most important and largest crop grown worldwide, after wheat, corn, rice, and sugar cane.?

Speaking of competition, no other vegetable even comes close!

Potatoes are so versatile: fried, baked, mashed, hashed, grilled or boiled, the list goes on. Ever heard of All-in-one??

(In its own words, it can put OOP’s polymorphism [6] to shame – a challenge to the Coding Community)

It goes on to say, despite all its incredible qualities and accomplishments, how do we repay it?

By grossly misrepresenting it in our language and analogies!?

Phrases like “Potato head”, “Potato face”, “Couch Potato”: all these references bring out nothing but the negative aspects of the person it is referring to, and that is highly offensive to this multi-skilled all-rounder.

So, as a redressal to all the trauma it has endured, the potato has a few demands:?

• Declare an International Potato Day – to?honour?and acknowledge this versatile and popular spud
• Create and adopt analogies like “Proud to be a Potato”, “Power Potato” – a potato works so hard to please us in various forms, so why should the potato references be any different!
• Acknowledge it as the rightful recipient of the D&I [7] Award – (To be honest, this demand left me puzzled, but it all made sense when this was the explanation given…)

1. It’s diverse: Given the many ways we love to eat it.
2. It’s inclusive: Goes well with just about anything!

It would be a crime not to acknowledge this as one of the biggest revelations of my life!

Thus, for reasons big and small, I for one, stand with the Potato and its demands.

But hang on!?

I cannot disappoint my critical readers just yet.?

Before this article is dismissed as nothing but a mockery of your precious time, do spend a few more seconds to read on and I’m sure you will hold me (in)credible.

It is plausible that a lot of you would be thinking, why are we giving so much of importance to a potato and its rights.

I mean at the end of the day it’s simply a vegetable that doesn’t talk, and certainly does NOT have feelings, so why should you care?

In all honesty, I wouldn’t deny it if you can’t relate to it, but it is highly likely that most of you can relate to the feeling or the idea of being stereotyped, misrepresented, or taken for granted.

You see, the point is, whether it’s people or a potato, biases exist everywhere. We should all make conscious and mindful efforts to identify and move away from any kind of stereotyping.

To appreciate and value someone or something for their true capability and potential and not based on what the bias in our head tells us.

And if that thought rings even a teeny tiny bell in your mind, then my job is done!

Let us all strive to #BreaktheBias in any shape or form.

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P.S. – Feel free to send in French Fries as a token of appreciation!

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References:

Potate[1]: Definition Urban Dictionary

Potato Pronunciation[2]: Google Pronunciation

Potato benefits[3]: Healthline Article

Meghan Markle[4]: Cosmopolitan Article

5th largest[5] - Top 5 of Any

Polymorphism[6] - OOP's Concepts

D&I[7]: Gartner Article