Tag: stewardship

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Beyond Equity, Justice and Civil Rights

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.

RICHMOND FREE PRESS

https://richmondfreepress.com/news/2023/mar/30/hickory-hill-community-opposes-planned-fire-traini/

https://richmondfreepress.com/news/2023/aug/03/city-reverses-course-hickory-hill/

WRIC NEWS

https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/supporters-resisters-sound-off-on-proposed-richmond-fire-training-center/

VIRGINIA MERCURY

Out with the green, in with the heat


City Hall Rally

RICHMOND TIMES

https://richmond.com/opinion/column/williams-a-burn-tower-at-a-community-center-make-it-make-sense-richmond/article_3ba908d6-2d47-11ee-aebf-eb404ccd4d4d.html

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It’s In Our Hands

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.