“How are we writing our own stories, and how are we telling our stories enough times that they become common sense. Narrative is the amalgamation of stories. We have to keep telling stories over and over again so they become common knowledge.”
nayomi cawthorne
On April 22nd, I had the privilege of moderating a panel for Black in Environment’s Black to the Land: Reconnecting with our Roots. On this panel were two Black women farmers: Clarenda “Cee” Stanley of Green Heffa Farms and nayomi cawthorne of D-Town Farm, The Detroit Black Community Food Security Network. Farmer Cee is a firecracker and nayomi is super chill. Technology tried to take us down, but we persevered.
“The entire system is rigged.”
Farmer Cee
We discussed Black folks’ struggle to access land, the seen and unseen costs with upkeep of land, and how the real issue is not accessing land-that’s more of a symptom. The root of the problem is systemic racism, which manifests in all areas of society: the judicial system, education, housing, etc. Agriculture is not immune to the -isms that marginalized folks experience in society at large. For example…
~ I have had friends who were afraid to “come out” in agricultural spaces.
~ The NFA (New Farmers of America) organization was swallowed up by FFA and forgotten about.
~ The unfair treatment of Black farmers by the USDA and the resulting Pigford cases.
There are many more incidents that occur and never make it to the news.
“When we come together we’re able to do more.”
nayomi cawthorne
We also discussed the importance of food sovereignty, taking care of the community, and the transformative nature of working with our hands and with the land. We talked about the perceptions of agriculture and the need to share our experiences with other Black folks in agriculture, access to education, being present with the land, and reclaiming ancestral knowledge. At the end, Farmer Cee and nayomi tell us how to support them and farmers like them. Basically: buy the products, donate dollas, and spread the word.
Top Right: Me 🙂
Bottom Left: nayomi cawthorne, D-Town Farms
Bottom Right: Farmer Cee
Remember:
~We are the narrative.
~Don’t be spiritually raggedy.
In Solidarity,
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