The Power to Change (an old presentation)

I recently came across notes for a presentation i made at the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network’s intern ceremony in December 2012. Though the references are dated, i find the lessons to have a sort of timeless quality and am sitting with their meaning in this moment. Note: Slight modifications were made for grammar and flow.

Dearest Interns. I would like to extend many thanks for your many contributions to D-Town Farm and the organization as a whole. It is my hope that what you gained as an individual and shared as a community will continue to nurture you as you move forward on your path. I would like to share a few words of wisdom from a book I recently co-authored.

“Take time to sum up your experiences, observations and lessons.” Take the time to summarize the lessons you learned during your time with DBCFSN about food, food systems, Black self-determination, and more and share them with others. This lesson makes me think about Cloud Atlas, a book turned movie that explores how the actions of people’s lives impact one another across time and space. For example, in one era, raising consciousness of a genetically engineered woman about who she really was and being put in a position to so something about it changed the course of history. Her experiences and lessons formed the basis of a belief system and movement that activated and inspired peope for many generations. Each of you hold this power.

“All is within you. Know your most inward self and look for what corresponds with it in nature. Nature is honest, direct and consistent. Look at the natural world around you and appreciate its lessons.” What did nature teach about the cycles of life, relations, community, etc? Movie Avatar: I think about how the Na’vi understood who they were in relation to the environment. they understood that their past, present and future as a population was interconnected with and interdependent on the health of the land. They shared with, learned from respected balance - not taking more than what was needed. And when it came to fight, they had already been prepared.

So how do we get to this knowing? Quiet contemplation, reflection and meditation. Also being in different situations, rising to the occasion. Standing on the side of justice when it comes time to take a stand.

“Struggle is inevitable and necessary for growth. It is at the basis of all transformation and the driving force of everything in nature from the smallest unit to the largest system. No growth can happen without an internal struggle between 2 opposing tendencies or ideas. Struggle is good in that it challenges us to get toughter, more decisive, and more adept at identifying and solving problems. Additionally, struggle helps to clarify values and beliefs as well as discern the right and wrong of things.” The movie i think about is Hero. A subtle struggle betwen nameless and the king leads to deeper understanding of the kin'g’s mission on the one hand and the wisdom behind a message one of the warriors penned - the ideal warrior should have no desire to kill. Both were transformed in this struggle.

It is through productive and respectful struggle that we are here. The charge moving forward is to tak what you’ve learned and apply it to improve yourself, community and the world.

Remain rooted in the best of what you’ve learned. It is not by accident that you are here. I wish you the best.