Talking (Future) Turkey

Talking (Future) Turkey

Thanksgiving is full of familial expectations and pressures of a traditional feast, one that usually includes a classic turkey and a slew of oven-cooked sides. But as most things in 2020 have gone, this Thanksgiving is going to be different with most Americans choosing to spend the holiday alone or only with those within their household due to the coronavirus. With new food trends and a new generation beginning to take over hosting duties, our recent Culture Briefing explored trends that are shaping the future of Thanksgiving. 

We’re tracking the rise of alternative meats, even among meat lovers, hinting at a future where Tofurkey and Impossible™ poultry could become the main dish. As U.S. meat consumption continues to peak heading towards 2025 there is an opportunity for “continued success for this alternative meat world,” says Ben Grinspan, director of cultural strategy at sparks & honey. 
We also can’t ignore the increasing national interest and comfort of pot legalization in the United States. By 2021, 15 states will have fully legalized recreational cannabis usage. This number is expected to grow by 2025 indicating a future where marijuana-infused collard greens join the Thanksgiving tradition. What is for certain is that the generational change of who’s hosting Thanksgiving will surely shift the way we approach this holiday.

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The Optimistic Skeptics

It’s been a turbulent year with the presidential elections, the pandemic, and national civil unrest. There’s a lot to fight for and the unlikely heroes of this year turned out to be Generation Z. The generation most daunted by problems like climate change and racial inequality is most likely to be the generation to engage with these issues. In this third installment of our Future of Giving Culture Briefings, we focus on the growing influence of Generation Z on non-profits and businesses.

Equipped with humor and social media, Gen Z mobilizes to speak out about causes they deem important. Take the viral “Save the USPS” movement. Inspired by a viral tweet, Siete White took to TikTok to create a dance video using a trending song dressed in USPS merch. USPS merch quickly became a fashion trend and sold out on the agency website. There’s also the Gen Z Kpop stans trolling President Trump during his re-election campaign by registering for tickets to the Trump Tulsa Rally and not showing up, leaving a 19,000-person venue more than half empty. 
Brands and businesses choosing to ride this wave of activism have to remember to be transparent and truthful. Gen Z is naturally skeptical of organizations, especially those partaking in cause marketing. They will not hesitate to expose hypocrisy and double standards on social media. “There’s actually a huge risk for organizations to ride this wave of activism if they aren’t truly living it,” says Katherine Austin-Evelyn, managing director at Changing Our World.

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The Fight For Trans-Inclusivity Is Not Over

Transgender Day of Remembrance honors and celebrates the memory of transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. In last week’s Culture Briefing, we reflected on the lives lost and celebrated the milestone wins for the trans community. 

There has been a record number of violent attacks and deaths in the trans community this year, more than any other year on record. 37 trans people have died by violent means, and the American Medical Association has deemed violence against trans people an epidemic. "There is a crisis, and the trans community, especially the black trans community is suffering greatly,” added Elana Lancaster, an LGBTQ health & inclusion consultant. 

The 2020 election was a historic win for trans inclusion as more openly transgender politicians were elected into office than any other year. “Visibility matters, the people that are in these positions understand the needs of the people. They feel compassion, understand the empathy that someone other than trans or non-binary people cannot understand," said Andre J., a model at Mint Management. 

These political wins do indicate a hopeful future but it's important to recognize that the fight is still not over. Trans people still face immeasurable levels of discrimination every day, like within housing where one in ten trans people are being evicted due to their gender identity. Our panel affirms how housing, education, healthcare, employment and so much more are all trans issues that still need attention.