Month: April 2022

Black folks have historically and culturally been one with the environment. Colonialism (white supremacy) has robbed us of our heritage, cultural identity, access and ability to thrive. Young Black organizers are decolonizing education to create ecosystems of empowerment for communities. Mitchelle Mhaka, Zimbabwean-South African activist, speaks to Tamara Toles O’Laughlin about period poverty, language barriers and the African Climate Alliance.

Support: https://africanclimatealliance.org/

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How are we creating systems that are non-disposable when Black people are seen as disposable, as waste? Contrary to the mainstream definition, “sustainability” is an inherently Black, Brown, and Indigenous regenerative mechanism for living and engaging with nature that is grounded in ancestral relationship with the Earth and has evolved into resisting colonial structure so that we can find well-being, joy and ultimately healing.” Whitney McGuire and Dominique Drakeford, co-Founders of Sustainable Brooklyn, speak to Rev Yearwood about how the traditional sustainability movement has contributed to the erasure and omission of Black cultural and political contributions.

Support: https://www.sustainablebk.co/

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It is no secret that white institutions are anti-Black and hoard resources, often forcing Black students to endure the harm of these spaces when seeking tools to support their communities. Leaving your community to acquire resources does not mean that you have to lose yourself or your values. Environmental and climate justice advocate Arielle King speaks to Rev Yearwood about how she was able to find and build safe spaces to center her “why.”

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There has been a history of racist policies and movements that have made the environment inaccessible and unsafe for Black people. The connections between Black culture and social movements are undeniable, as Hip Hop was birthed out of resistance to the Bronx Cosway. Bronx native and national media personality HeadKrack speaks to Rev Yearwood about the parallels between activists and artists.

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