I admit there is an unfortunate analogy in our culture between clean/earthy and Caucasian/African. Both groups have alternately struggled against that symbolism or exploited it.

I tend to think it went the other way; “earthy” became good for a generation of Americans, possibly because their parents served them Jello salads as cuisine. The vague association with racial equality may have come along for the ride, but from where I sit, it looks mostly like an aesthetic revolt.

Jerry Brown..