Some thoughts on nature, race, and privilege from a white environmentalist
Nature, race, and privilege. A few loaded topics — and who am I to take them on? Who am I not to, is the better question, and is one that I’ve been grappling with for several years now.
The field of nature connection work (as well as the majority of environmental and climate change/crisis movements and organizations) have historically been heavily dominated by white voices, values, and interests. This has had enormous consequences, one of which is the whitewashing of so much of what comes to mind when thinking of anything related to nature or environmentalism. More dangerously, and whether intentionally or not, this domination has materially privileged white voices and needs above all others, while helping to maintain a society where white supremacy remains the norm. And while much is shifting and changing now, this has also perpetuated the narrative that white people are more likely to be environmentalists, outdoorsy or more connected to the natural world than BIPOC. This couldn’t be further from the truth. There is so much to be actively unlearned and challenged, and this narrative is an essential one. Confronting the white privilege and supremacy within nature/environmental/climate fields has always been critical work, but is especially now, and white folk who truly believe in justice must carry this work.
BIPOC voices, leadership, and concerns must be at the forefront of the nature connection, environmental and climate justice movements. Their exclusion has done immeasurable harm for far too long, as evidenced by the disproportionate impacts of climate change, pollution, and environmental degradation burdened on communities of colour. This is environmental racism. Further harm that is difficult to quantify is the knowledge and wisdom that has been lost and/or ignored while prioritizing white voices, and this tragedy cannot be emphasized enough. The complexity of experience in how we as humans relate to, connect to, and are affected by nature, our environments, and climate change is multifaceted, and the erasure of non-dominant voices, and the wisdom therein of all there is to learn in this connection has also wounded our collective experience of what it means to be human on our shared earth.
Connecting to, and realizing our place within the more-than-human world is a right and gift bestowed to all humans (and one that is crying to be urgently felt in this moment) but systemic barriers privileges some above others to fully live and realize this. Thinking about unequal access to green spaces across cities, urban pollution, provincial parks and outdoor organizations catering to and being visited predominantly by white and middle-class individuals (who may have more time and money to partake in these activities) are but a few barriers that come to mind. These are not only race issues but inevitably class issues as well, and the antiquated narratives of the nature lover/environmentalist/climate warrior are false and do not serve. Nothing exists in a vacuum, and just as we are inextricably connected with all life on earth, so too must everything be considered intersectionally.
There will be no social justice without environmental justice. This isn’t a “moment” but rather lifelong work. Race is always happening. Climate change and environmental degradation are always happening (for now, one can hope). Opportunities for nature connection are also always there for ALL of us and we need this support and guidance in the coming years more than ever before. If we are truly committed to justice, then this intrinsically means social and environmental. They cannot be disentangled. It is my hope that we may reach a day when justice truly and fully encompasses both, and for this, we must do the work.
As a white woman of significant privilege working in the nature connection field, it is impossible not to see the ways in which whiteness and privilege manifest here — including, of course, my own. Taking a critical look at my own complicity and biases, and reflecting on how I can better as a white woman within this field is not always comfortable, nor should it be. But it couldn’t be more important. As well, fully acknowledging the wealth of wisdom and knowledge traditions that the work I do is founded upon, while continuing to learn and expand this base, is a critical part of sharing my practice.
As I am doing the work myself, I am no expert. In addition to doing some deep reflection work over the last few months, I have been reading and gathering resources that I would like to share, for any who are interested. It is beginner, and growing, and I would love to have suggestions of other work and resources to dive into, if you’d like to share. While much of what I have been gathering centres especially on black folk’s involvement and absence within these fields, we must, of course, consider the critical absence of indigenous voices as well.
While there is enormous urgency to this work, it is also — and must be — slow and reflective, and cannot be done alone. I’m here to talk if anyone wants to share and dive into all of this, truly.
❤
Black experiences/absence in nature:
Articles:
https://emergencemagazine.org/story/a-convergent-imagining/
https://orionmagazine.org/article/9-rules-for-the-black-birdwatcher/
https://lithub.com/birding-while-black/
https://theecologist.org/2019/oct/10/black-absence-green-spaces
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/15/opinion/sunday/black-bodies-green-spaces.html
Books:
Black Nature: Four Centuries of African American Nature Poetry. Edited by Camille T. Dungy
The Home Place: Memoirs of a colored man’s love affair with Nature. J. Drew Lanham
Intersectional environmentalism resource hub:
https://www.instagram.com/intersectionalenvironmentalist/
Racism and climate change/inclusivity:
https://e360.yale.edu/features/unequal-impact-the-deep-links-between-inequality-and-climate-change
https://e360.yale.edu/features/how-green-groups-became-so-white-and-what-to-do-about-it
Diversity/inclusivity in the outdoors:
https://www.theatlantic.com/sponsored/rei-2018/five-ways-to-make-the-outdoors-more-inclusive/3019/
https://www.diversifyoutdoors.com/about-us
Excellent nature connection organizations in the UK and US (still looking into what’s happening in Canada!):
https://www.wildwoodpath.com/nature-connection-skills-for-black-lives/
https://wildinthecity.atavist.com/nature-connectors
Other fantastic online publications/books of interest:
My favorite online publication, Emergence Magazine, that explores the intersections of nature, culture, and spirituality. So much richness to be explored here… essays, poetry, photography, film…
A book of essays/poems/art by a wide range of women’s voices within the environmental movement: All we can save: truth, courage, and solutions for the climate crisis. Edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine Wilkinson
One of the most important and beautiful books I’ve ever read: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
