Planting seeds of autonomy in communities of color
By Flor Olivo
Guerrillera
Native people have a long-standing tie to Mother
Earth, nurturing it to produce food needed to survive and also creating
sustainable ways of life. Decades of American imperialism, colonialism, and
capitalism throughout the world has severed many of these connections, causing
indigenous peoples and immigrants of color to flee their territories, lands and
gardens, often to live on inhospitable new land. At times, the removal has
resulted in those ousted to end up doing the work of planting, sowing and picking,
for others. Some who have arrived in other countries have forgotten or have
been unable to continue these practices for themselves.
I've planted a garden every year since 2006.
Through this process I discovered I come from a heritage of agricultores.
My mother’s father worked the land, grew and sold tomatoes for a living in
Colombia. My father’s family also had lands in Mexico before ending up in the
city of Monterrey Nuevo Leon, Mexico. As I got a little better at gardening and
yielded more fruits and vegetables, I began posting photos and writing about my
garden. Everyone I knew was very supportive, intrigued or interested in forming
their own gardens. I wondered why most of the gardeners I knew were white
progressives. I also wondered why more people I knew didn’t garden.
Being able to grow our own food as communities of color helps us get closer to discussions of environmentalism in our spaces. According to Reverend Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. in the book Confronting Environmental Racism: Voices from the Grassroots, “Inhabitants [of communities of color] are exposed to greater health and environmental risks than is the general population. Clearly, all [people] do not have the same opportunities to breathe clean air, drink clean water, enjoy clean parks and playgrounds, or work in a clean, safe environments.” This extends to conversations of self- sustainability and inclusion in decision-making that affects what we consume.
There are many reasons these exclusions, trespasses
and direct attacks continue to happen in our neighborhoods, but amidst that
there are things we can do to begin taking back our agency and actively working
to reinstate our voices. There are movements in Mexico and South America that
have re-established water sovereignty and rights for indigenous communities.
There are communities that survive on their own gardens.
Recently I asked my friends on FB what were things that prevented them from gardening.
Many expressed lack of knowledge. Alicia Cervantes, community activist shared, “I have no idea how to start or when. We bought seeds but don't know what to do from there.” Maria Alma Razo, mother of five, said, “I tried it last year and nothing grew.” Karla Morales, mother of two, wrote, “would love to learn!”
A few more, lacked the space. “I live in an
apartment, but I support local farmers,” wrote Elise Boxer, University of Utah
professor. Arlene Padilla Arenaz, Academic Advisor in the College of Engineering at the University of Utah,
wrote, “I live in a condo and don't have space. When I lived in a house, I used
to grow everything.”
And there were also those who had accomplished it
successfully. Marissa Tellez, educator in Texas, acknowledged her natural
talent, “I do have a green thumb but i think its pure luck. I actually love
working in the garden but it can be a [little] expensive.”
There are ways to find time, resources and spaces
to make gardening work. Our communities hold hidden answers and also practical
methods, practices and tools that can be very helpful. I've learned a lot on my
own but I've also been able to learn from my elders and other gardeners. My tio
abuelo helped me grow a row of tomatoes using compost to fertilize that
flourished last season. He also taught me to use plastic bags as string. The
years before that my dad helped me to think of ways to fertilize and organize
our produce to use water more efficiently.
Two years ago, Maria Lopez, a Rose Park community
mother, really inspired me with her pots and backyard garden. She was growing
potatoes, corn, chilies, tomatoes and fruit. All things she used in her kitchen
daily.
Lopez who only speaks Spanish says, providing her
family with organic fruits and vegetables was her drive. I wanted to “have
natural vegetables, that didn’t have chemicals. It wasn’t hard to start. It was
easy. I just planted seeds.” She picked the seeds
she liked. She worked the soil, took care of them by weeding the space around
the plants and made sure she kept the dirt moist. She proudly shared that
“everything she’s planted has grown beautifully. The secret is watering
consistently.”
She does not fertilize, just makes
sure to till regularly and water. Lopez says, “use what you plant. It’s worth
the work if you are able to control that your fruits and vegetables don’t have
chemicals that can hurt us.”
Gardening has been an uplifting experience that I have used to stay connected to my roots, maintain spirituality and to explore a healthier lifestyle that I can afford. It has also become an active way of re-establishing an art that defines self-determination and power. For people of color gardening can promote healthier eating habits, peace in knowing where your food comes from, it can help your family economy by saving money on vegetables and fruit. And can even become a local economic booster through farmer’s markets.
It's not hard to start. All you have to do is plant
a seed, literally.
Comments