As American as apple pie, cherry pie – and marijuana...

H. RAP BROWN’S INCENDIARY CHERRY PIE QUOTATION: “Violence…is as American as cherry pie.”        H. Rap Brown (a.k.a. Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin)        A prominent black civil rights activist in the 1960s, currently in prison for killing African-American police officer Ricky Kinchen.        In the 1800s, American-style apple pies became known for their special sweetness and flavor and the term “American apple pie” was used to distinguish them from apple pies made in other countries. The phrase “as American as apple pie” dates back to at least 1920. By the 1940s, it was a common idiomatic expression.        The most famous — and infamous — variation of that expression was created by H. Rap Brown in a press conference he gave on July 27, 1967. Brown told reporters:        “I say violence is necessary. Violence is a part of America’s culture. It is as American as cherry pie.”        It’s not clear why he chose cherry pie instead of apple pie. But in his controversial 1969 autobiography Die Nigger Die!, Brown helped popularize his version of the expression by using it in the pithier form that’s usually cited: “Violence is as American as cherry pie.”         (Read more about this quotation on my ThisDayinQuotes.com site)

THE FOOTBALL HATER’S APPLICATION: “We live in a culture where bullying is as American as apple pie.”        Tom Reilly         Columnist for the Millbury-Sutton Chronicle (Millbury, Massachusetts)        In an opinion piece published on November 27, 2013        (The cartoon lampooning Miami Dolphins football bully Richie Incognito was done by Nate Beeler, cartoonist for the Columbus Dispatch.)

THE YANKEES HATERS APPLICATION: “Hating the Yankees is as American as pizza pie, unwed mothers, and cheating on your income tax.”        Mike Royko (1932-1997)        Legendary Chicago sportswriter        One of his most widely-cited zingers (though I couldn’t find a specific date or source for when he said it)

THE DEEP-FRIED FOOD LOVERS VERSION: “Today, deep-fried food is almost as American as apple pie—which, incidentally, can be dunked into a vat of oil and emerge with a greasy, crunchy coating, along with almost any kind of food.”        Marina Koren        Staff correspondent at the National Journal        In her November 27, 2013 column on the National Journal website         (Cartoon by James Cahill via the DeviantArt website.)

THE WEED LOVERS VERSION: “SAMHSA [The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration] research determined more than 100 million Americans have consumed marijuana...Marijuana is as American as apple pie - and healthier.”        William Breathes        Writer for the Denver Westworld News        In the November 14, 2013 edition of his "Dear Stoner" column

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