Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is celebrated annually on January 15th. The Drum Major for Justice and Noble Peace Prize winner is honorably recognized for committing his life for humanitarian cause. The term civil rights is often used to identify his lane of legacy, aligned with the Civil Rights Act of 1875 and in his time, the Civil Rights Act of 1964; sweeping legislation that attempted to enact American justice. Change happened. Society envelopes hope in the ideals of democratic (executive, legislative and judicial) process. Forward direction of the people counted most then, and now.
In 2023 we were involved in local processes to protect the civil rights legacy of Hickory Hill School; a stellar example of legacy and forward direction. Hickory Hill School was part of the sweep of empowered communities that made a difference for themselves and others. The school was likely founded within a bush harbor church before a school house teacher was hired in 1850. In 1915, self determined African American families donated land to erect the first official elementary school in the county; later to become a high school as Virginia State University’s County Training School for Negroes moved to Hickory Hill in 1924. In the era of segregation, teachers from Hickory Hill School won a nationally recognized civil rights case to equalize principal and teacher salaries in the U.S. Court of Appeals. For over 100 years, Hickory Hill’s legacy portrayed self reliance and fortitude when democratic process stalled.
Legacy is a sustainability value that fueled Southside residents when local officials not respecting boundaries advocated to sight a fire burn facility on the 7 acres site of the former Hickory Hill School; presently operating as a community center (media below). Residents and land owners of the fenceline community opposed the action and fought to protect our very precious greenspace from industrial infringement. The burn facility was halted, though zoning changes remains concerning. On a positive note, Hickory Hill School received historic designation. We, in fellowship with the Southside Joint Civic Association and residents of Richmond, VA at large are reminded that equity, justice, civil rights and human rights are a continual flex. So, take lessons from the past and remember to stand … self determined, self reliant and with fortitude in the face of adversity.
Conversations about wealth in America center around land, labor and accessibility to these resources. Land is the foundation of health, wealth and democracy. The rejuvenation of social order will largely rest on clean air and water, land access for food and housing … in that order. Commonplace however, are statistics about farmers (particularly African Americans) and other landowners cheated out of their livelihood by zoning and land use ordinances. Real estate and industrial conglomerates devour land parcels in unprecedented ways, using outright theft at times. In many instances heirs compromise homestead stability because money is valued over legacy. Reports highlight a nearly 98% decline in property ownership of African Americans into the 21st century. Ownership decline and other real challenges to wealth accumulation underpin poor health, poverty and racism.
Global summits and local meetings too often demonstrate the minimization of humanitarian interests when it comes to corporate affairs. After much talk and seeing little action, change makers are forced to strategies countering menacing maneuvers for land. Into the 21st century, African American and First Nation communities in America organized independent communities to prioritize land access interests. Presently, there is significant interest to enhance the ledger of land possession and generational retention. Here are three important focus areas to protect the abundance offerings of land:
Plan Ahead
Climate change and the threat of displacement requires urgent action. Climate change is not a new phenomenon; marked in stretches of the earth that were once lush but now desert such as Africa’s Sahara region. However, as climate experts predict, flooding, tornadoes, sea level rise and other historic disasters show the wrath of nature. Economic and health challenges ensue from these, including the scourges of disaster capitalism contributing to land loss when families are ultimately unable to protect property interests. A divided family with real estate holdings can create challenges to the protection of property and legacy, especially when disasters hit. Heirs’ property is particularly noted as problematic when disasters hit because of divided holdings in real estate. Mediation services may help families come to amicable terms, and insurance helps, but more essential are harmonious family relations where property priorities are understood; and estate documents are in order and secure. If family land is used for agricultural purpose, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Heirs’ Property Relending Program helps with capital to resolve land ownership and succession issues. Family unity and emergency preparation are the best ways to weather any storm.
2.Monitor Local Development Plans
Overzealous development and the extraction of natural resources, industrial contamination or ecology destruction by mining, power plants, pipelines, petro/chemical production and land-fills cause soil degradation and threaten waterways. Sacrifice Zones was a term used during the Cold War to describe highly contaminated uranium mining sites assigned to nuclear purposes. Today, the term denotes industrial sprawl that contaminates neighborhoods and communities, significantly impacting land value and health. More industry means less agriculture and opportunities for community and/or family land possession. Property values may even rise as result of gentrification projects, some purported to enhance greenhouse gas efficiency and reduce emissions, though cancer, asthma, coronavirus, kidney disease, and other ailments are increasingly attributed to pollution. Land deals often occur in municipal settings with lighting speed; often before communities are able to fully come to terms with or do in-depth research and discovery. Land protection strategies must include timely civic engagement; and strengthening networks with like-minded people.
3. Grow Family Wealth
The coronavirus has proven to be more than just a health challenge with its massive dent to the economy and family livelihoods. Clean air, clean water and the ability to care for land are traditionally the parent of hope. Health is after all the truest wealth. Community resiliency is tied to our physical state, and the physical world / land is a key driver of economics. Beyond helping us feel better, there are plentiful opportunities to generate financial wealth with access to land and managing resources, including farming, forestry, managing rental properties, solar farms, commercial leasing, agritourism or managing a recreational site for example. Sustainability is the consideration and practice of balance between the generational extraction of resources and retaining a healthy bio-sphere; which is a lifestyle that we should all consider.
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Climate change, industrial infringement and self-preservation requires our immediate and conscious attention. Perhaps the greatest challenge to national and community health and wealth is the lens of scarcity that are standardized in theories of economy. Scarcity drives the hoarding of natural resources, monetary and material possessions, and widens gaps between” disenfranchised” communities and the “domineering” players of capitalism. Society has moved from an agrarian or land focused society to a consumer society; significantly bearing on overall social wellness. An abundance framework brings the realization that land is the highest call for justice and a sacred responsibility. Therefore, we should acknowledge, make space for and protect nature’s rights and abundance.
Thank you for continued support of the Renewal of Life Land Trust. We are appreciative of the positive energy and support of friends and members in land stewardship, and look forward to expanding education, mediation and land retention in the new year. Please consider a contribution or investment to our mission.
2020 will be memorable as a year of uncertainty and of course the pandemic. Plans laid for the year were largely abandoned and the world changed it seemed overnight. Even Sunday church services were cancelled, but there was an anointing of time… an experience of renewed awareness and vision. The instinct to grow food was apparent as seeds and gardening supplies sold out. Concerns about food security and the value of land were heightened, as well as health as a priority consideration.
While governments warned of sickness and disease, communities focused on wellness and vitality. Health is often described as determined by social, economic and environmental conditions, subscribing it to something or someone from the outside. Conversations now turned to health as something created within. In addition to families getting back to the land and gardening, old home remedies and family solutions were prioritized for well-being. Acknowledgements for cultural and spiritual inheritance were elevated, especially caring for the land as a way to protect the natural gifts that make us, our families, and society better. This is empowerment.
After 33 years, our mission for land stewardship remains as relevant as ever. We are awakening to a new social reality, but land was and continues to be the way toward liberation, the way toward rebirth. Land stewardship is taking on the front or backyard patch of land, nearby park space or the industrial polluter that butts the neighborhood or district. Land stewardship is preserving farms, sacred spaces and abandoned places to ensure healthy biodiversity today and for future generations. Land stewardship is a hand for land access and agency to conserve spaces for health and vitality. It’s for the Renewal of Life. It’s in our hands.
