I am feeling newly inspired by a cross country road trip with my friend Bailey, and returning to the world of the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center. Traveling through the steep mountains of Colorado, the vast canyons of Utah, and the glorious forests of California has renewed my sense of awe of the natural world.
I got to thinking: how can humans be a beautiful and beneficial addition to the intricate web of life that exists?
We have many examples from native and indigenous communities around the world who serve as integral parts of their ecosystems. In Sonoma County, I have been learning about the practices of the Coastal Miwok and Southern Pomo peoples who cared for and benefitted from the abundance of fish, oysters, native seeds and grasses, and flowers. They integrated controlled burns, careful maintenance of water and other resources, and sacred practices to express gratitude for the natural world. Today, the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria continue to farm and teach our community about how to ethically and mindfully work with nature.
We live in a particularly challenging time- with a pandemic, wild fires, and an often frustrating political and economic structure. In many ways, we as humans have been stripped from the natural world, stripped from community, and stripped from our understanding of who we are.
I am on a quest to reconnect with my wild, life- generating self. How can I most be of service to the world? How can I fight for justice by reconceptualizing what it means to be a human -- creative, caring, defenders of life -- and honoring all people as such?
Through many conversations with Bailey, my fellow interns and co-workers at OAEC, my broader community of activists, and inspiration from Octavia Butler, Adrienne Marie Brown, and other powerful black and brown women activists, I have formed lists of "life culture" and "death culture". Essentially, does it contribute to the thriving of all life or does it harm?
* an important caveat being that death plays an essential part in life and the cycles of nature.
When considering whether an action is beneficial to all beings and a step towards our collective liberation, I like to think back to this list.
I would love to know your thoughts and additions to the list!
I hope you are feeling inspired and take the time to invest in your creativity. The world's deepest need is each of our creative forces!
Much love,
Abbey Joy
Here's a happy pic of today's harvest: figs, tomatoes, sweet peppers, grapes, mint, basil, apples, blood peaches, & abutilon and nasturtium flowers.
