Welcome Message:
We often read articles and poems; view films and videos; see and hear art and other creations.
Each of these experiences brings each of us to a different moment in time, a different way of knowing the world. And with that knowing, we have a new awakening on our own journey.
We encourage you to step boldly into the Challenge, whether your it’s your first or fifth time, with fresh eyes, a curious mind and an open heart!
Throughout these twenty-one days of the Challenge, consider talking to others in your life, work, and communities about what you are reading and experiencing along the way. Let others walk with you and join you in this journey!
- To get yourself ready for this year’s Challenge, we suggest that you do the following. Read or re-read these two short pieces on the connection between racism and food systems:
- Review this glossary of relevant terms for Racial Equity Tools, especially those terms that are less familiar.
- Set some intentions for your participation
- Where do you want to be by April 21st (the end of this year’s Challenge) in your understanding of and commitment/capacity to address racism in the food system (and related systems)?
- To help you answer this question, you may want to take a few moments to get quiet, perhaps close your eyes, take a few breaths and ask yourself what would you most want to come from your participation in this year’s Challenge?
- What do you want for yourself? What do you want for others to whom you are connected and with whom you may be interacting over the course of and after Challenge?
- And what are you willing to give to this year’s Challenge in terms of time and commitment so that you get the most out of it?
Feeling energized about this conversation especially in completing my doctoral studies focused on urban food systems and the interconnected nature of how racism, segregation conflict with practices and targets for sustainable urban food systems. For years it has been discouraging to have a perspective that is inclusive of racism because there is so little in the field of urban ecology that addresses race/ethnicity beyond the traditional acknowledgement of environmental justice that I began to fear maybe I wasn’t meant to study these connections. I deeply appreciate the beginning of this journey especially with the mindful reflective invitations for what each of us would like to see from ourselves.
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Thank you!
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I am also excited to start this conversation. I am a environmental science teacher at a community college that sees first hand student’s food equality issues. Last year I won a grant to host 15 immigrant families, teach them how to start seeds, plant and keep a garden, harvest, store/preserve, share special pollinator pots at our county fair, and cook/prepare local produce. This opportunity taught me much and I was anxious to repeat the effort. I have the resources and time but cannot find a population that has the time to participate. How can I develop a program that meets their needs?
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