My body of work is rooted in the connection that most people of indigenous people have to the Earth.
At my core,
i am a Yoruba girl and the strong sense of connection to the Earth, the Orishas, my ancestors, and those who will come after me is unyielding despite my embrace of technology.
Imagine for a moment that you are a Black woman living in the United States. Everyday you experience racism, sexism, and a host of other intersecting oppressions. You go to work, or to school, or to the grocery store, and you are constantly dealing with people who don’t understand you, or who actively work to undermine your existence. It can be exhausting, and at times it feels like too much.
But then something amazing happens. You learn about environmentalism. You learn about the way that our world is being destroyed, and the ways that we are contributing to that destruction. You learn about climate change and the ways it is already affecting marginalized communities. And you realize that this is something you can fight against. This is something that matters to you.
That’s why I’m passionate about environmentalism. Because it’s not just about saving the planet—it’s about saving us too.
The Severity of the Environmental Crisis
The environment is in a state of crisis.
This isn’t something that we can afford to ignore, and it’s not something that’s going to go away on its own. The health of our planet is at stake, and it’s time for us to take a stand.
As a Black woman, this is something that’s near and dear to my heart. I know that the environmental crisis disproportionately affects marginalized communities. We are the ones who are most affected by climate change, by pollution, and by the loss of natural resources.
That’s why I’m so passionate about environmentalism. I want to see a world where everyone has access to clean air and water, where we protect our planet and its inhabitants, and where we all work together to create a sustainable future.
A Brief History of Black People Connecting With the Environment
You might be wondering why, as a Black woman, you’re so passionate about environmentalism. It’s a valid question, and one that has a complex history.
For centuries, Black people have had a close connection to the environment. We’ve been the stewards of the earth, and have understood the importance of protecting our natural resources. From Africa to America, we have fought for clean air and water, and have been on the forefront of the environmental justice movement.
It’s important to remember this history, especially in today’s world. Climate change disproportionately affects marginalized communities, including Black people. That’s why it’s more important than ever for us to come together and fight for our planet.
Why Protecting the Planet Is Personal and Meaningful for Me
As a black woman, it’s personal for me to protect the planet.
The earth is our mother, and she has been so good to us. She has provided us with all that we need to survive and thrive, but we have not always been good to her in return. We have abused her, raped her, and taken her for granted. And for what? So that we could have a little more money in our pockets? So that we could build bigger and better houses?
It’s time for us to wake up. It’s time for us to realize that we can’t keep plundering the earth and expect her to be there for us forever. We have to start caring for her the way she has always cared for us. We have to start protecting the planet.
How Environmentalism Is Linked to Racial Justice
Environmentalism and racial justice are intimately intertwined. Black people and other POC bear the brunt of climate change and environmental destruction, yet they do not get their fair share of the benefits of a sustainable world.
This is a result of centuries of systemic racism that has made it more difficult for Black people and other people of color to access resources like green spaces, healthy foods, fresh clean water, and safe job opportunities. This is why it’s so important for me as a Black woman to be an environmentalist; I recognize that environmentalism is inextricably linked with racial justice.
Climate change impacts us all but there is an ever widening gap between those who have access to resources for protection from the effects of climate change, and those who don’t. This makes it even more urgent that we take action to protect our planet before it’s too late for us all.
What Can We Do as a Community to Combat Environmental Racism?
As a community, we must come together to combat environmental racism which is when low-income and minority communities have poorer access to clean air, water, and land than white communities. We have to start by recognizing this issue in our communities, then take action to provide our neighbors with resources such as safe drinking water, lead-free housing, green spaces and environmental education.
For instance, we can support eco-justice organizations that are fighting against environmental racism such as Green For All or the Sierra Club’s Environmental Justice Program. We can talk to our representatives about making ecological progress a priority and investing in green infrastructure projects. We can also advocate for better air quality standards, renewable energy initiatives and other policies that will provide people with access to clean air and water.
Above all else, it’s important for us to remember that everyone should have equal access to resources regardless of their race or socioeconomic status, and work together as a community towards a healthier planet.
At the end of the day, it does not matter if you are a white person, a black person, or any other race. We all share this planet and we have to work together to protect it. I believe that we have a moral obligation to protect our planet, especially for future generations.
That is why I am passionate about environmentalism as a Black woman. For me, environmentalism is not only part of my identity but also part of my community and culture. If we hope to create a better future for ourselves and our children, we must make sure that our environment is taken care of by everyone. It is essential that we fight climate change, reduce waste and pollution and support sustainable practices in order to ensure that our planet will remain healthy for future generations to come.
So, what’s the answer? How do we protect the planet?
It starts with understanding that the health of the planet is interconnected with the health of our people. We have to see the environment as our ally, not our enemy. We have to start valuing the natural world as the life-sustaining force that it is. And we have to do all of this together, as a global community.
Black people have been on the frontlines of the environmental movement for centuries. We have a spiritual connection to the Earth that is unparalleled. It is time for us to reclaim our rightful place as leaders in the fight to protect our planet.
