Human: What does gumbo represent to African Americans? Assistant: 
Gumbo represents the African American's truly communal dish. Gumbo is said to be "an invention of enslaved Africans and African Americans" in Louisiana. By mixing and cooking leftover ingredients from their White owners (often less desirable cuts of meats and vegetables) all together into a dish that has consistency between stew and soup, African Americans took the detestable and created it into a desirable dish.