Jonah Patel
Gumbo diplomacy is a term coined by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Joe Biden's pick for US ambassador to the United Nations. Thomas-Greenfield, a Louisiana native and career diplomat, described gumbo diplomacy as her way of breaking down barriers, connecting with people, and starting to see each other on a human level. She would invite people from different backgrounds and beliefs to help her cook gumbo, which would lead to conversations about a variety of topics, from human rights to the ingredients of gumbo. This approach to diplomacy, according to Thomas-Greenfield, would help rebuild bridges and send a strong message globally about the administration's commitment to re-engaging in diplomacy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Thomas-Greenfield, Biden's nominee for U.N. ambassador, first heard the phrase from a fellow Foreign Service officer |
| Definition | "Gumbo diplomacy" is Thomas-Greenfield's spin on the "all politics is personal" mantra |
| Purpose | To break down barriers, connect with people, and start seeing each other on a human level |
| Method | Thomas-Greenfield would invite people from different backgrounds and beliefs to help make the dish |
| Ingredients | Onion, bell pepper, and celery (known as "the holy trinity") |
| Career | Thomas-Greenfield has served as a diplomat for 35 years |
| Previous Appointments | U.S. ambassador to Liberia under George W. Bush, assistant secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs under Barack Obama |
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What You'll Learn
- Gumbo diplomacy is a metaphor for Linda Thomas-Greenfield's style of diplomacy
- Thomas-Greenfield's gumbo diplomacy is a turn to allyship with a Cajun spin
- Gumbo diplomacy is about breaking down barriers and connecting with people
- Gumbo diplomacy is about bringing people together through food and conversation in a humble manner
- Gumbo diplomacy is about engaging with people and building bridges
Gumbo diplomacy is a metaphor for Linda Thomas-Greenfield's style of diplomacy
Thomas-Greenfield first heard the phrase "gumbo diplomacy" from a fellow Foreign Service officer and realised that this was what she had been practising throughout her career. She explained that it involves getting to know the people she is negotiating with up close and personal, much like sharing a bowl of gumbo. Gumbo can have many different ingredients, and Thomas-Greenfield includes everyone in the preparation process. People sit around a table, chopping vegetables and talking, and in the process, they get to know each other and find common ground.
Thomas-Greenfield has shared her gumbo with people all around the world, including in The Gambia, Kenya, Jamaica, Liberia, Pakistan, and Switzerland. She has also taught political science at Bucknell University and held various positions in the State Department, such as deputy assistant secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, and principal deputy assistant secretary for African affairs.
Thomas-Greenfield's gumbo diplomacy is a unique and effective approach to international relations. It is a style that is open-minded, compassionate, and focused on building relationships and solving problems together. This style of diplomacy is a far cry from more aggressive forms of diplomacy, such as gunboat diplomacy, which involves the use of military power to intimidate and coerce. Instead, Thomas-Greenfield's gumbo diplomacy is about bringing people together and finding common ground through shared experiences and conversations.
Thomas-Greenfield's gumbo diplomacy has left a lasting impact on international relations and has helped to shape her career as a respected and influential diplomat.
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Thomas-Greenfield's gumbo diplomacy is a turn to allyship with a Cajun spin
Thomas-Greenfield's "gumbo diplomacy" is a metaphor for her approach to foreign policy. It is a turn to allyship, with a Cajun spin, as she explained during President-elect Joe Biden's introduction of his cabinet nominees.
Thomas-Greenfield, a Louisiana native, has served as a diplomat for 35 years and has shared her gumbo with people all over the world. She first heard the phrase "gumbo diplomacy" from a fellow foreign service officer and realized that this was what she had been practising throughout her career. When she lived overseas, she would cook for her guests, making dishes like red beans and rice, or gumbo. This would spark conversations about food, and also about important issues happening in a country.
Thomas-Greenfield's gumbo diplomacy is about breaking down barriers and connecting with people. She would invite people from different backgrounds and beliefs to help make the dish, injecting a few Louisiana-centric terms into her aphorisms. It was her way of starting to see each other on a human level, a bit of "lagniappe", as they say in Louisiana.
Gumbo diplomacy, therefore, represents a more humble and engaging approach to foreign policy, one that focuses on building relationships and connecting with people from different backgrounds. It is a contrast to "gunboat diplomacy", with its associations with 19th-century imperialism and displays of military power. Thomas-Greenfield's gumbo diplomacy is a return to engagement and diplomacy, signalling a shift in America's approach on the world stage.
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Gumbo diplomacy is about breaking down barriers and connecting with people
Gumbo diplomacy is a term coined by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Joe Biden's pick for US ambassador to the United Nations. Thomas-Greenfield, a Louisiana native, has served as a diplomat for 35 years. She describes gumbo diplomacy as a way of "breaking down barriers, connecting with people, and starting to see each other on a human level".
The term is derived from gumbo, a Louisiana-style stew, and signifies Thomas-Greenfield's intention to bring people from different backgrounds and beliefs together. She often invited people to help make the dish when she was working abroad, encouraging conversation and connection.
Thomas-Greenfield first heard the phrase from a fellow Foreign Service officer and realised that this was what she had been practising throughout her career. She would cook gumbo for her guests, creating a relaxed atmosphere and fostering conversation about food, culture, and important issues. This approach helped to build relationships and break down barriers, demonstrating that diplomacy is about more than just formal discussions.
Gumbo diplomacy, therefore, represents a turn towards allyship and a more inclusive and engaging form of diplomacy. It is a way to rebuild bridges and reconnect with the international community, signalling a shift away from the imperialist connotations of gunboat diplomacy. Thomas-Greenfield's approach brings a sense of humility and respect to diplomatic interactions, creating a more welcoming and collaborative environment.
By sharing her gumbo with the world, Thomas-Greenfield has found a unique way to connect with people and foster meaningful relationships. Her style of diplomacy is about finding common ground, whether it's through a shared love of food or a commitment to addressing global issues. It is a powerful tool for breaking down barriers and building bridges between people from diverse backgrounds.
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Gumbo diplomacy is about bringing people together through food and conversation in a humble manner
Thomas-Greenfield's gumbo diplomacy is about using food as a way to connect with people, break down barriers, and start seeing each other on a human level. She would often invite people from different backgrounds and beliefs to help her make the dish, chopping onions and making a roux and gumbo together. This act of sharing a meal and conversation creates a relaxed atmosphere, fostering meaningful discussions and connections.
In her own words, Thomas-Greenfield describes gumbo diplomacy as:
> "I’d invite people from different backgrounds and beliefs to make a roux and chop onions for the holy trinity and make homemade gumbo. It was my way of breaking down barriers, connecting with people and starting to see each other on a human level – a bit of ‘lagniappe’ is what we say in Louisiana."
The term "lagniappe" in Louisiana means a little something extra, and this is what Thomas-Greenfield brings to her diplomatic approach. By sharing her gumbo and creating a space for open conversation, she adds a personal touch to her diplomatic efforts, building relationships and finding common ground.
Gumbo diplomacy, therefore, becomes a metaphor for Thomas-Greenfield's approach to foreign policy. It represents a turn towards allyship and a more humble and inclusive style of diplomacy, in contrast to the imperialist connotations of the term "gunboat diplomacy." Through gumbo diplomacy, Thomas-Greenfield aims to rebuild bridges, show respect for career diplomats, and send a strong message globally that the administration is committed to re-engaging in diplomacy.
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Gumbo diplomacy is about engaging with people and building bridges
Gumbo diplomacy is a term coined by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, a Louisiana native and career diplomat, who was selected by President-elect Joe Biden to serve as an ambassador to the United Nations. Thomas-Greenfield has served as a diplomat for 35 years and has served her gumbo to people worldwide, including in Gambia, Kenya, Jamaica, Liberia, Pakistan, and Switzerland.
Thomas-Greenfield first heard the phrase "gumbo diplomacy" from a fellow Foreign Service officer and realized that this is what she had been practicing throughout her career. She said that when she had people over to her house, she would cook for them, making red beans and rice, or gumbo, and it always led to conversations. Cooking and sharing a meal together creates a relaxed atmosphere and allows people to talk about a range of issues, from human rights to the ingredients in gumbo.
Gumbo diplomacy, as Thomas-Greenfield puts it, is about replacing gunboat diplomacy, with its bitter notes of 19th-century imperialism, with a Cajun spin. It is about approaching international relations with humility and respect, and recognizing that the presence of the US in the international system is wanted. It is about rebuilding bridges and sending a strong message globally that the administration is serious about engaging in diplomacy.
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Frequently asked questions
Gumbo Diplomacy is a term used by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Joe Biden's pick for US Ambassador to the United Nations, to describe her approach to diplomacy. It involves inviting people from different backgrounds to help cook gumbo, a Louisiana dish, as a way to break down barriers and connect with people.
Thomas-Greenfield first heard the phrase from a fellow Foreign Service officer and realized that this was what she had been practising throughout her career.
Gumbo Diplomacy represents a turn to allyship and a departure from gunboat diplomacy, which is associated with 19th-century imperialism. It is a form of diplomacy that emphasizes engagement, humility, and rebuilding bridges with the international community.
