And Let the Church Say Amen – To Nature
Just recently, I had the privilege of being invited to my Levias family church, St. Paul Church of God in Christ, to speak on the topic of community health. I was raised in the sanctified COGIC tradition, where I learned how and was encouraged to become a public speaker. That girl sure can talk, I would hear the saints say, and felt then a sense of pride in a skill that serves me well in my work today.
While my traditional church participation has fallen off considerably as an adult for many reasons; like most African Americans, I still consider the church an important, sacred space and source of support.
It felt great to share the work of Outdoor Afro as a native daughter of the community, but it was even more energizing to exchange ideas about how people can begin to re-activate their connections to the outdoors. We talked about memory - historic traditions from the South to easy things to do today in the city, such as noticing birds, or investigating local parks, and getting to know neighbors better. The reception of this discussion was warm, punctuated by many Amens! that reinforced the fact that people are already engaged with the topic, and it led me to imagine what is possible if we deliberately included the church more in the quest to connect more people to nature in ways that mattered to them.
For many, the church is not only a place of worship, but also our town hall. There we receive the most relevant and discerning messages from the larger community. Thus, the church can be a key influencer of African American social structure and behavior.
In this work of connecting more people to nature, I find myself in many rooms, advisory meetings, and email threads with the discussion of relevancy of the outdoors for African Americans (and other less represented populations) in the center. How can we connect the outdoors to more audiences people ask. With 87% of African Americans who associate themselves with a church (Pew Center for Research), the church must play a key part in our planning and partnerships.
Our mission is to help people of faith understand that issues of ecology and economy—of care for Creation—are at the forefront of social justice. At Faith in Place we believe in housing the homeless, feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. But even if we do all those things, and love our brothers and sisters with our whole heart, it will not matter if we neglect the ecological conditions of our beautiful and fragile planet.
In Oakland, California, Memorial Tabernacle Church has built a ministry dedicated to organizing activities in the community through their Health and Garden Ministries. “We focus on improving several aspects of congregant life,” says Tiffany Grant (33), who leads this effort that includes church hikes, and a productive church vegetable garden.
Does your church have a ministry that connects members to nature? Do you need support to make this happen? Let us know in the comments below!
Hiking and History: Honoring the Legacies of Port Chicago and John Muir
A foggy morning turned into a beautiful afternoon for a late November hike up Mount Wanda at the John Muir National Historic site. Twenty-five outdoor afros and Cody the dog were treated to an enjoyable afternoon of history, community, and smiles.
Before we began our hike, Raphael Allen, Park Ranger at Rosie the Riveter/ World War II Home Front National Historical Park, welcomed everyone and provided a thorough presentation on African American of History Port Chicago. Ranger Raphael explained that Port Chicago, visible from the summit of Mount Wanda, was the site of a deadly explosion on July 17, 1944.
320 men, including 202 African American men, were killed due to unsafe conditions at the port. Following the explosion, 50 African American men were charged and tried for mutiny for refusing to report back to work. According to Ranger Raphael, this injustice caused African Americans to organize and to whisper among themselves “Thurgood’s Coming” in reference to NAACP lawyer and future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall’s involvement in the case. Ranger Raphael concluded his presentation by distributing trading cards to Outdoor Afro hikers and emphasizing the national park’s commitment to ensuring that Port Chicago is not forgotten.
Everyone settled into their own pace, with faster hikers taking the lead and the others keeping a moderate pace. While the beginning of the hike was mostly shady and cool, the sun broke through the trees to warm us up as we got to our midway point.
Outdoor Afro Leader Cliff Sorrell pointed out the different trees on the hike including fragrant California Bay Trees and various oak trees, including the coast live oak and the blue oak trees. Cliff explained that you can tell the difference between the trees by noticing their leaves.
Several outdoor afros noted that we were joined on our hike by different bird species, including turkey vultures, Downy Woodpeckers, and a hummingbird. We also discussed the legacy of John Muir and his significant role in ensuring that we can continue to enjoy national parks like Mount Wanda and Yosemite.
As other members joined us, Outdoor Afro Leader Zoë Polk pointed out the location of Port Chicago. She asked members to think about what the landscape looked like in 1944 and to think about the different reasons African Americans joined the Navy during that time. Zoë referenced Professor Robert Allen’s celebrated work, Port Chicago Mutiny, and noted that some of the men were outdoor afros of their time, joining the navy out of a sense of adventure and longing to experience the world’s natural beauty. She also asked hikers to contemplate what outdoor recreation activities the men of Port Chicago participated in, given that they had little ability to travel to Oakland, San Francisco, or other bay area culture centers for entertainment. Hikers took a minute to contemplate this history and the beautiful surrounding landscape before descending Mount Wanda.
We finished the afternoon by stopping by the John Muir House. The wonderful staff at the visitor center screened Into Forgetfulness, a short documentary film about the Port Chicago disaster and legal battle. The staff also led tours of John Muir’s house.
The Outdoor Afro leadership team celebrates all of the kind folks who joined us on Mount Wanda and looks forward to seeing everyone again at the next meet up!
For more information about honoring the legacy of Port Chicago, connect with the Friends of Port Chicago.
Thankful
Dear Friends,
I am so grateful for you, and the forward evolution of Outdoor Afro. Together, we are a part of an amazing and diverse community who love and advocate for connections to nature. To be of service to this cause is a true gift, and I am thankful to be on this journey with all of you.
Thank you for being a part of the Outdoor Afro community, and may you and your loved ones experience joy this Thanksgiving - and beyond!
Rue, Seth, Arwen, and Billy
Back to Our Roots: Connecting to the Outdoors Connects Me to Family
Submitted by Danielle Moodie-Mills, a friend and ally of Outdoor Afro, and fellow alumna of the 2012 Root 100!
The brisk chill of the early mornings in Washington, D.C. before the city becomes occupied by thousands of footprints, beeping horns, and the air is tainted with smoke and smog makes me reminiscent of the breaking dawns of my childhood—mornings greeted with my grandfather handing me a cup of chocolate tea and a fishing rod.
Born in Jamaica, my grandfather loved the outdoors. Who wouldn't love it in a place where the deep blue color in the ocean isn't an optical illusion and there is no need for Vitamin D tablets—a walk along the palm tree lined streets or a stroll along the beach is all you need. I used to ask him when I was young why he had so many muscles because he didn't go to the gym, he used to look at me laugh and gesture to the outdoors and say “why would I go to a gym?” Why indeed.
My grandparent’s garage wall was filled with tools and fishing rods for all their grandchildren—and there were a bunch of us.
The drive to the docks were always the most fun, all of us kids crammed into a car with our heads hanging out the window taking in the smell of the early morning and noticing the change in the air as we got closer to the water. As soon as we arrived we would all spring out of the car like Jack-in-the-Boxes itching to be the one who brought in the first catch of the day. We were like little sailors (minus the boat) lined up on the dock taking in the sweet salty smell of the water and watching the sun rise higher and higher in the sky. Nothing used to beat those mornings with my family outside—well, maybe the fish dinner that my grandmother would make that evening.
My grandparents were sustainable before it was cool.
Whether we were picking callaloo and mint from their enormous backyard garden or fishing on the dock or swinging from the handmade swing my grandfather fashioned for me from their largest tree—the outdoors was always a place where family and adventure intertwined.
Many years have passed since those family outdoor adventures, and it saddens me that pollution has stopped my grandfather from being able to take my younger cousins on the fishing trips I once enjoyed so much. Unfortunately, it’s not just pollution that has kept them from the outdoors—today kids spend on average 7-10 hours plugged into electronics and just minutes in the outdoors. Where I used to make up stories and find mystery under stones or within the limbs of trees they seek out video games and the television to entertain themselves.
Did I watch TV as kid, sure! But I never did find a show or game that provided me with the joy that the feel of a fishing rod in my hands; sight of the sun glistening off the water; and the burst of giggles at the first catch of the morning ever gave me. Nope, there is no screen that has ever given me more excitement as a kid or adult for that matter, then the sound of a screen door swinging open to the adventures that await me in the outdoors.
Danielle Moodie-Mills is living, loving and laboring OUT loud! She is the Sr. Mgr. for Environmental Education Campaigns at the National Wildlife Federation and Advisor for LGBT Policy and Racial Justice at the Center for American Progress. Read her musings on politics and pop culture at www.threeLOL.com
Follow her on Twitter @DeeTwoCents and @threeLOL
Atlanta Outdoor Afros Hike-Inn!
While I was celebrating with the Root 100 last week, Outdoor Afro Atlanta had the opportunity to gather up by invitation at the Len Foote Hike Inn!
About 20 Outdoor Afros showed for an autumn retreat, some traveling from as far as Florida to enjoy a day and night hike, delicious dinner, and breakfast the following morning. It is noteworthy these dedicated Outdoor Afros took time off work mid-week to make time for nature – what a treat!
Atlanta’s Outdoor Afro super-star leader Reginald Mitchell said, “This was a great deal, and everything was just wonderful - we felt so welcomed.”
Another Outdoor Afro, Nellie said, "I had a great two days of hiking, staying at the wonderful Len Foote Hike Inn (superior service), eating great food and having some of the most interesting conversations I have had in years! Great memories made... Can't wait for the next hike!"
Located near Dawsonville and Dahlonega, the Len Foote Hike Inn at Amicalola Falls State Park is a back country inn with 2-person private rooms with comfy bunk beds; hot showers, sinks, and compost toilets in the bath house; and prepared meals served in their dining room.
The Inn is accessible only by foot over a moderate 5 mile hiking trail which originates at the top of the Amicalola Falls. The hike takes from 2 to 4 hours, and the beautiful trail is entirely within the Chattahoochee National Forest and Amicalola Falls State Park.
Guests only need to bring personal items, including clothing, toiletries, and food and water for the trail. Bed linens and towels are provided and a family style dinner and breakfast are served. There are great porches with rocking chairs, and indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, along with books and games.
The buildings are awesome, beautiful, green, and LEED Certified Gold! You can learn more about it at their website.
Thank you Eric Graves at the Len Foote Hike-Inn for your wonderful invitation and hospitality for the Outdoor Afro community!
A Celebration of Positive Influence
It’s been an amazing week for the Outdoor Afro community. I just came back from New York to participate in Henry Louis Gates’ 2012 Root 100 Gala to celebrate the most influential African Americans, of which I was honored to be a part. Among those recognized included Melissa Harris-Perry, LeBron James, and Benjamin Crump, among many other awesome, and passionate individuals representing a wide range of professional paths and vocations aimed at improving the black community. Check out the entire list
For me it was a huge honor to help represent the outdoor recreation field and help positively voice the opportunity for more people to connect with nature. The event itself was very well orchestrated at the Tribeca Rooftop with great company, food, and dancing!
Check out more photos of the event!
We thank The Root for this important recognition and anticipate the ways we can continue to positively influence our community toward better health and sustainability. I especially am grateful for the Outdoor Afro New York team, Akiima Price, Brigitte Griswald, Omari Washington, and Yvonne “Eb” Williams for being down and illuminating the path.
Outdoor Afro Thanks Our Veterans
This Veterans Day, we remember and are grateful for all soldiers who have served our country. From Crispus Attucks, to the Buffalo Soldier, to those who stood firm at Port Chicago. For all the unnamed, yet heroic men and women who have served in both peace times and in war: We thank and honor you and your families today with stories of African American veterans that are sometimes untold:
The Tragic, Forgotten History of Black Military veterans
Monument to African American veterans planned for Naval and Military Park
Buffalo home to first national monument to honor African American veterans
Four More Years of Support for Our Natural Heritage
As many of you know, the Obama administration has taken a unprecedented stand on connecting people to our public lands and national monuments from its beginning. Today, we at Outdoor Afro are delighted that this effort will move forward and continue in its progress to preserve, protect, and embrace our natural assets and heritage.
Let There Be Light! Or Not?
Outdoor Afro friend Audrey Peterman challenges us in her latest blog to rethink our relationship to nature in terms of our ability to survive natural disaster. Read on:
Among the glaring lessons we should learn from Hurricane Sandy is that our technology-focused lifestyles depend absolutely and completely on one thing – electricity. I often marvel about this, since electricity is extremely vulnerable. One major solar flare or a catastrophic “unnatural” disaster such as Sandy, and a sustained lack of electricity could knock us back to the Stone Age in weeks.
The major problem with this is – the majority of us seem to be completely unaware! Sleep walking! And as we text and tweet and tumble our way through our days, we assume that any loss of power is a temporary inconvenience that will soon be fixed so that we can go back to our mind-numbing pastimes.
But what if it took a month to get the power back? Could you build a fire outdoors and prepare something to eat? Do you know how to purify water to drink? Would you have the means to keep a light burning in your home at night?
These might seem like rhetorical questions, off the chart for someone living in the United States of America. But just ask the people in Atlantic City or West Virginia who have been devastated by fire, flood and snow if they EVER thought that they could face what they experienced this week, and the answer might be sobering.
Not long ago I was part of a meeting sparked by Richard Louv, strategizing how to get children back outside to play and explore n nature. Louv’s book, (Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder, 2005) had shown that children’s mental and physical health were suffering as a result of being housebound, tethered to electronic instruments.
One member of the group suggested that we might actually need to teach children how to play in nature, as this generation may not know how. At that moment I felt a chill go through me. I thought, “What can it mean when a species that is dependent on nature has become so removed from it that our offspring do not even know it exists? Or how to interact with it?”
Imagine if we needed to rely TOTALLY on nature, without being able to flip a switch and change cold to heat, or press a few buttons and get help from the world! I do not think it is an overstatement to say, “Sandy is a precursor of things to come, and we’d better get started preparing ourselves.”
Check out a wilderness survival course or other basic course that helps you navigate when the street signs are gone, and electronics are kaput. I’m going to check with my friends at REI to suggest that if they don’t already have a course designed to help people become self-sufficient without electricity, they should immediately institute one.
The time to prepare is BEFORE an emergency. Just ask the people suffering through Sandy!
(Audrey Peterman is a national-award winning environmentalist and the author of the new book. “Our True Nature: Finding A Zest for Life in the National Park System)
Rivers and Waterways: Poll Reveals Caring and Engagement
Survey Confirms a Positive Relationship with Rivers and Waterways in the Outdoor Afro community
Nearly seventy Outdoor Afros from around the country were sampled in a short survey distributed via social networks that provided a snapshot of how and why people connect to our waterways.
Much of what was observed from the results confirmed what Outdoor Afro already knew – that in the Outdoor Afro community overall, there is a positive relationship and perception of our rivers and waterways. Of the sample surveyed, the vast majority were African American, female, and between the ages of 35-44.
Some key findings:
- Participants enjoyed a wide variety of activities on the water that include being on the water, or hiking, fishing, and hunting adjacent to them
- Respondents felt most comfortable getting out on water with friends and family over structured programs
- The biggest identifiable barriers to getting out more was a lack of time and equipment
When asked to describe first introductions to waterways, most surveyed cited early connections to rivers and lakes with family members. And frequently, grandparents and fishing were mentioned.
“Fishing with my grandfather in Kansas... I was the only girl... I loved it”
When asked about what they most valued about our rivers, many used words such as “spiritual” and “calming.”
“Waterways are beautiful. I love the wildlife on and around the water. I love the soothing power of water.”
The biggest concerns and cautions related to waterways? The vast majority mentioned pollution as a big concern, followed by the alarming number of people who do not know how to swim and be safe in the water. And as frequently as we hear about black women having hair barriers around water, only one participant mentioned this as a barrier.
Our survey affirmed that programs have an opportunity to be most effective when they support families to lead one another to connect to waterways that do not require a lot of time. For instance, building awareness of locally accessible waterways for recreation might be one approach to expand connections. Also, find ways to raise awareness of gear rentals, so more people can try activities with minimal investment.
At Outdoor Afro, we will continue to increase the visibility and positive connections to rivers and waterways. Join us to help dispel myths, and inspire more families and communities to engage with these delicate resources -- the nature they are, and all that surrounds them.
Anything surprise you about these results? Have a differing viewpoint?
This survey and blog are sponsored by the Georgia River Network in an effort to increase relevant connections of our rivers and waterways with more communities.
