American soda drinks.

[Simon.O.]

This I know is really off topic for a FE forum and has the potential to be political.
I do not want a political debate but a possible explaination.

Kool-aid. What is it and who drinks it, why is it seen as a political thing ?

The other is some kind of grape soda. I saw a very funny( comedy) film the other day that had a segment which featured a Black-American being "tortured" by the pouring out of a purple and yellow soda can of some kind of grape juice.

What is this soda and what is the political or racial labeling here.

I repeat I do not want a political debate but as a non-American I am tring to find out what these drinks are and why there is common reference to them.

FWIW in NZ Stienlager is a common beer and so is Lion-Red. they are divided among the socio-economic groups and political leanings of the drinkers.

I am trying to learn here not bait a hornets nest.

[Ub Hauled]

It's a bit of a stereotype in America that African American people like Cool Aid... I don't get it either, I have never seen my African American friends drinking that stuff...

[Rex R]

kool-aid powdered drink mix (cheap) various (fruit) flavours. political? maybe because its cheap it might be considered the (kids) drink for the lower income brackets.

[Rex R]

addendum; kool-aid is kinda like orange squash, sweet non carbonated tastes sorta like the fruit...:) (yes I've had orange squash, makes a lousy screwdriver :)).
rex

[egneg]

When I was a kid we all drank kool-aid. It was a nickle a pack and you just added it and a cup of sugar to 2 quarts of water. Soda Pop was a treat to be had on occasion. I grew up in a middle class neighborhood but our parents grew up during the war and did not waste money on frivolous snack items. We also drank Tang just like the astronauts and made popcorn on the stove top. We used Hershey's chocolate powder to make our own chocolate milk. Then we all went outside to play kickball or marbles.

Now days you spend $1.50 for a bottle of water and add a $.50 flavor pack to wash down a $1.50 snack bar! This is while they play $60.00 video games on a $300.00 game console attached to 55" HD TV that cost $1,800.00.

[Diegoboy]

We've come a long way huh Egneg?

[RMZDADDY]

I thought the kool aid reference had something to do with the Jonestown Guyana massacre where over 900 people died, most from drinking cyanide laced kool aid.
These people blindly followed their leader (Jim Jones) to the grave.
This is why the reference to kool aid is sometimes used by both sides to accuse the other of blindly following their party.

Do a search for kool aid politics and you'll find that it has nothing to do with race at all.

[domwilson]

This I know is really off topic for a FE forum and has the potential to be political.
I do not want a political debate but a possible explaination.

Kool-aid. What is it and who drinks it, why is it seen as a political thing ?

The other is some kind of grape soda. I saw a very funny( comedy) film the other day that had a segment which featured a Black-American being "tortured" by the pouring out of a purple and yellow soda can of some kind of grape juice.

What is this soda and what is the political or racial labeling here.

I repeat I do not want a political debate but as a non-American I am tring to find out what these drinks are and why there is common reference to them.

FWIW in NZ Stienlager is a common beer and so is Lion-Red. they are divided among the socio-economic groups and political leanings of the drinkers.

I am trying to learn here not bait a hornets nest.

Kool-Aid is a soft drink that you mix at home. It comes in a variety of fruit flavors. It's appeal primarily is it's low cost. I asked the same thing. The response I got was that it was in relation to the Jonestown massacre in Guyana. The relevance being that people will follow blindly behind their leaders often leading to a bad outcome. Survivors of the incident state that the followers were forced at gunpoint to drink the cyanide laced concoction. Although the timing and popularity of the phrase is somewhat questionable. It is also a stereotypical view relating to African-Americans. Often dispited in sitcoms during the '70's and '80's as the drink of choice. As was fruit flavored sodas with grape soda being the favorite. Often these views are not accurate. Caucasions drink Kool-Aid, eat fried chicken and watermelon as well.

[rockwerks]

I thought the kool aid reference had something to do with the Jonestown Guyana massacre where over 900 people died, most from drinking cyanide laced kool aid.
These people blindly followed their leader (Jim Jones) to the grave.
This is why the reference to kool aid is sometimes used by both sides to accuse the other of blindly following their party.

Do a search for kool aid politics and you'll find that it has nothing to do with race at all.

The only guy here who actually understands the history.

Politically it means believing in a party line without question:

IE: That guy must be drinking the Republican Koolaid, he still believes Bush was the perfect president

[Simon.O.]

Now I get it. I have seen the Kool-aid reference used here too and I can now see how it can refer to blind allegance to something or someone.
Thanks guys.

fwiw we drink water here and sometimes my wife makes up a jug of "juice" to go in the fridge. This is a low cost powdered packet stuff. Raro for those who know it.

Now I know so much more about America.

[RMZDADDY]

Kool-Aid is a soft drink that you mix at home. It comes in a variety of fruit flavors. It's appeal primarily is it's low cost. I asked the same thing. The response I got was that it was in relation to the Jonestown massacre in Guyana. The relevance being that people will follow blindly behind their leaders often leading to a bad outcome. Survivors of the incident state that the followers were forced at gunpoint to drink the cyanide laced concoction. Although the timing and popularity of the phrase is somewhat questionable. It is also a stereotypical view relating to African-Americans. Often dispited in sitcoms during the '70's and '80's as the drink of choice. As was fruit flavored sodas with grape soda being the favorite. Often these views are not accurate. Caucasions drink Kool-Aid, eat fried chicken and watermelon as well.

I'm curious what is meant by "timing" regarding the use of the term kool aid, it has been used politically before Obama ran for president.

http://newsbusters.org/node/9539

[domwilson]

I'm curious what is meant by "timing" regarding the use of the term kool aid, it has been used politically before Obama ran for president.
http://newsbusters.org/node/9539

I admit error in that statement. Let's just say that it was more widely used during the Obama campaign.