Written by: Rashawn Khamari Merchant
As a Black man immersed in the climate change movement, I often find myself looking for a place to fit in. I’m educated and well-versed on the many solutions needed to reverse human-caused changes to our planet’s atmosphere. However, with my knowledge, it still doesn’t feel like it’s enough to combat the machine that is the power of western society. The fact of the matter is that because the global north (United States and Europe) has contributed so much to the current damages we face, it is not meant for me to work within the system to make changes. For me to find my place in solving climate change, working with an Afro-centric mindset works best.
What is Afro-Environmentalism?
The earliest digital mention I can find is from Zaria Howell in an article titled “My Pursuit of Happiness in Afro-Environmentalism.” In the writing, Howell suggests that traditional environmental movements failed to recognize Black people. Howell notes that the “great” conservators such as Theodore Roosevelt and renowned explorers contributed to much displacement and environmental degradation and still received historical accolades. Similarly to Howell’s understanding, I too can note how, in my experience, access to environmentalism is distorted for the benefit of the white-dominant society. Howell summarizes their point by declaring that making decisions opposite to what society has given and leaning into ancestral connections will empower a renewed connection with nature.
Afro-Environmentalism means associating the Black experience with nature and further improving our relationship with the Earth. Moreover, I desire to enjoy my time through the seasons and steadily increase my awareness of the environmental harms around me. While living in New York City, urban challenges make these attempts difficult. Life is fast-paced and the culture is built where consumerism has become the standard for quality of experience. The truth is that people grow poorer, and more injury is caused to Mother Earth due to this rapid speed of energy usage. As a community, we will benefit from doing less and appreciating what we already have.
Afro-Environmentalism means connecting what is within and not stressing over the outs. Dr. Robert Bullard, the Father of Environmental Justice, recently referred to Sankofa, the African ideology encouraging people to look back to their past to improve their future. I trust that my ancestors knew better and will continue to use their knowledge in moving forward.
Thanks for reading!
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