In the past few days, I’ve wrestled with how, and where I capture my experience of this historical turning point. I’ve wondered if my “gardening journal” is the right place for a reflection on protests, riots, and the deep wounds gouged in our society by racism. I’ve wondered if my quiet nature would do this movement an injustice by not expressing my pain with enough fire. The irony is that when I asked myself how I would even begin to write about this non-gardening subject, what came to mind... was tomatoes. I do not have a clever metaphor. I literally started thinking about tomatoes.
The subject of tomatoes is ironic because, while dealing with my father’s illness and passing last year, I didn’t plant and I didn’t post. My shorthand for talking about taking time to grieve, and stepping back from my craft was to say, “With everything going on, it just seems stupid to act like I want to talk about tomatoes.” The same was true in previous years when we faced another shooting, violent rally, or wrongful death. “Forget this. I couldn’t care less about a tomato right now.” I’m sure there was some correlation to the time of year; but the point is that the grief, and weight were too heavy. I did not have the emotional capacity to be present online, just musing about gardening, and pretending that it made me feel better. Those were times that insulating, and focusing on our family was the only real solution.
So here we are in tomato season again, facing the grave consequences of ignoring police brutality, and systemic racism – during a global pandemic no less – and in spite of the communal wrestling, and grieving, there has been a shift. This is the first time since the Civil Rights Movement that we have heard such a universal cry for genuine justice. This isn’t just a weekly news cycle that fades away until the next incident. So now I find myself wanting to talk about tomatoes; or rather how our food revolution coincides with our social revolution.
Now that we are collectively open and raw I want to talk about how we make the most out of these fertile conditions, during this unique growing season. My hope (maybe even my mission) is that as we come together to heal from our present trauma in this country; we can also heal the burning scars left by our past on this country’s land.
This is a critical time for putting change on the table; because if we have the legislative reform, and break down barriers for economic success; but do not restore our relationship with the land, and reclaim our space in the food production system from a position of ownership, we have an incomplete revolution.
If we check all of the socio-economic, and political boxes; but are still dependent on an agricultural system where we are marginally represented as producers – a system that was designed to sustain capitalism more than it sustains human beings – we have an incomplete revolution.
Full disclosure, I don’t consider myself a revolutionary. I’m just one woman with a garden and a small online presence. But over a decade ago this issue, specifically black land ownership / reclamation, a connection to our natural world, and food production was calling me. While we were still living in Chicago (S. Side), I’d ride past vacant lots and see potential gardens. I imagined corner farmers markets, and peaceful green spaces in our neighborhoods, instead of the cell phone franchises, and payday lending shops that were constantly popping up. At that time, it seemed like I was fairly alone in that dream. Social media was young. Instagram didn’t exist; and we couldn’t quickly connect with other like-minded people via searching a hashtag. So I just kept dreaming, and taking small steps towards making it real.
Then, as my journey progressed I found other people on the same path. Slowly but surely other black, P/WOC gardeners, farmers, food justice warriors, permaculturists, and nature lovers started to show up in my feeds, articles, and suggested connections. It’s overwhelming, and energizing in the most beautiful way to see us in these spaces; because more voices, and more hands makes for a louder message, and a lighter load. Noticing our growing numbers lead me to this question: As our action shifts from the roar of protests, to the rumble of organization and action; can we the Plant People, connect in our communities, regions, and even nationwide, to aid in rendering a complete picture of citizenship, and freedom... because ownership of land, and our food production is freedom.
So can we take hold of this moment to inspire an even bigger wave of building sustainable food systems, strengthening local food security, and direct connections between producers and consumers? Can we recognize that equitable access to financial resources, land acquisition, and education that will empower the next generation of black/POC producers is a critical issue right now? Can all of the single gardeners, grassroots organizations, small-holdings, and legacy farms get together, and put food justice on the table, right beside our basic human rights? … because access to healthy, nutrient-rich food is a basic human right.
I understand that I have asked a lot of questions, and I don’t doubt that these conversations are already taking place in neighborhoods, and communities across the country (I’ve had them myself while volunteering at our local market). I know there are organizations committed to this work; but how can we weave ourselves together, and become a more connected community that is too far-reaching to be ignored? We are watching what the power of united voices can accomplish right now.
So this – what started as me wondering if I could maybe, possibly, diverge from the discussion of flora and fauna – is my pledge to be even more intentional about seeking out ways to engage beyond my yard, and my current volunteering. It’s also a call to other individual gardeners, and growers, to see ourselves as a meaningful, necessary stitch in the quilt. We could be the answer, to connecting organizations, community gardens, local farms, and communities. Our linked hands, and joined voices could be the catalyst we’re looking for right now. We just have to see this as the right time to talk about tomatoes, and be willing to speak up.