Black History Month - Resources on Black Environmentalism
Hello, friends. We move into February, which is Black History Month here in Canada as well as in the US (and is observed in the UK and Ireland in October). While I am familiar with the issue of environmental racism, I realize that I do not know enough about the history or current movement of Black environmentalism, or the role of Black communities of faith in responding to ecological issues. So, I have been spending some time familiarizing myself, and hope to share some of what I learn with you over the next few weeks. Of course, I am aware that learning about and celebrating Black history is not just for one month of the year, but should be a part of our spheres of understanding on a regular basis.
The environmental movement has tended to be predominantly white, and so has the movement for climate and ecological justice within the church. There are movements within Black communities within Canada and the US responding to the ecological issues facing the planet and, more specifically, communities of colour, but I have noticed that they don’t tend to be part of mainstream media. If myself and others who are white continue to ignore or overlook Black movements, within the church and in wider society, we continue to maintain white supremacy, and will fail to make any significant headway in responding to climate change, issues of pollution, biological diversity, and more. Issues of racism and ecology, as well as other dimensions of human experience and oppression, are intersected and interconnected.
A Few Resources
There are a few resources that I have been turning to in order to educate myself and learn more about Black environmentalism, and Black faith-based environmentalism, in both the US and Canada.
One is the book Consumed: The Need for Collective Change: Colonialism, Climate Change, and Consumerism by Aja Barber (New York: Balance, 2021). I listed it as a book for transformation in a previous newsletter. I started reading it last week. Barber is a Black American woman living in London, England. As a Black woman trying to build a career in the fashion industry, she came up against blatant and covert racism in the industry. Through the course of her own journey of struggle and learning, she began to make the connections between fast fashion and its direct links to colonialism and consumerism. This book explores the ties between historical colonialism, slavery, and the present day reality of poverty-wages in the Global South, and the fact that most of our fast fashion discards fill landfills in the world’s poorest areas. While her lens is the fashion industry, this book is very helpful for understanding the reality of present-day consumerism, and its links to the theft of resources and people from the Global South, and the manifestation of poverty and pollution in those countries today.
I have been on the email list for Green the Church (https://www.greenthechurch.org/) for some time now. Founded and run by Rev. Dr. Ambrose Carroll Sr., he calls on the power of the Black church in the US to respond to ecological issues and create healthier communities. It is a national non-profit, online ministry that helps Black churches mobilize to fight climate change and pollution, and to work to make their own churches more energy-efficient and sustainable. Through the three pillars of “building power for change,” “promoting sustainable practices,” and “amplifying green theology,” Dr. Carroll helps communities of faith to make the connections between their faith, the places in which they live, and the call to care for God’s creation. He draws upon, among other things, the tradition of revivalism within the Black church to encourage and empower faith-based environmentalism among individuals and communities.[1]
As my own education continues, I have been seeking out Canadian resources. I have found the following articles on Black environmentalism in Canada:
Aline Coutinho and Harshini Ramesh, “Environmental racism and Black environmentalism in Canada,” https://institute.smartprosperity.ca/BlackEnvironmentalismInCanada#:~:text=Black%20Canadians%20and%20Black%2Dled,environmental%20pollution%20and%20climate%20change (February 8, 2022).
Hayley Brackenridge, “Black Climate Activists Inspiring Change in What is Currently Canada,” https://www.shakeuptheestab.org/post/black-climate-activists-inspiring-change-in-what-is-currently-canada (March 2, 2021).
Cheryl Teelucksingh, “The Canadian Environmental Justice Movement Needs Black Lives Matter,” https://niche-canada.org/2020/11/23/the-canadian-environmental-justice-movement-needs-black-lives-matter/ (November 23, 2020).
Reading is, of course, just one part of learning and moving toward climate and ecological justice for all, and for Earth healing. What we learn needs to be translated into faithful action – into discipleship. May these resources, and more, move us to change.
[1] Jeneé Dardin, “One Pastor’s Mission to Fight for Environmental Justice Through the Black Church,” https://www.everydayhealth.com/black-health/one-pastors-mission-to-bring-environmentalism-to-the-black-community/. Accessed February 3, 2023.
BLOG POST: Review of Emboldened by Christ, edited by April Bumgardner
Find it here: https://jessicahetherington.ca/blog/
Reading for Transformation
There is so much out there to read and learn! Here I suggest two books: one that was useful to me in writing my PhD dissertation, and a more recent volume that I have come across.
Race and the Cosmos: An Invitation to View the World Differently, Barbara A. Holmes (Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press International, 2002).
I came across this book in my MA research, as I explored the new universe story as interpreted by Thomas Berry. If you recall from my previous notes, this is about creating a renewed understanding of who we are in light of the emergent, 13.8 billion year universe. In this book by Barbara Holmes, she articulates a way in which learning about humanity through the lens of cosmology, as well as quantum physics, can help us break through the barriers to talking about race and racism. In this tightly written, cogent book, Holmes brings theology, cosmology, physics, and culture into a conversation that is designed to help bring healing and newness to the human community.
The Spirit of Soul Food: Race, Faith, and Food Justice by Christopher Carter (Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 2021)
Food justice, the right to equal access to abundant healthy, culturally specific food, is a part of ecological justice. In this book, religion and ecology professor Dr. Christopher Carter explores the history of “soul food” in Black American culture alongside a Christian ethical response to food injustice, and suggests ways in which people of colour can eat in a way that reflects their cultural identities and practices, and work toward greater love and justice with the marginalized. One reviewer calls this book “part history book, part cookbook, part call-to-action and resource for spiritual formation.” This sounds like a great book on many fronts that introduces the reader to another dimension of the ecological crisis.
Discipleship in Action
While I usually share an example of discipleship in action in alternating weeks, I came across this recipe for baguettes by newsletter subscriber Shannon, and it sounds delicious! She has given me permission to share it, and I love the way she writes a recipe! So here it is, verbatim:
What you need to make enough dough for 4 baguettes:
7 cups of flour (you can use a cup or 2 of whole wheat in if you want in this total amount but plain white flour works great)
1 tsp of instant or pizza yeast (I find this mixes the best and works the best but you could use regular yeast if that’s all you have)
2-3 tsp NaCl (or to taste, you’ll figure out what you like once you’ve done this a few times)
Water. I think this amount of flour should take about 5 cups of water but it may be more or less. I don’t really measure anything properly, I just use a drinking glass to put in the water so I’m not sure exactly how much I use. Start with 4 cups and add as you go along. Bread is an art, not a science. You gotta measure this stuff with your heart, lol!
Instructions:
Mixing day:
Get a big ol’ pot or bowl, put in the flour. Put in the NaCl and the yeast and mix. Add the water. Start with 4 cups because I’m a bad recipe writer and mix it up, you can use a clean hand. Keep on adding and mixing and kind of kneading a bit with your hand until the dough is smooth and elastic and feels ‘right’. It should be soft but firmish and not sticky. Kind of like I imagine a dolphin would feel like if you gave him a hug. There should be no stray bits of flour, one homogenous mixture.
Now, let that hang out for a while, like a few hours until the dough rises a bit. Then, since you’re making 4 baguettes, divide the dough in half and then in half again. Take these sections and kind of stretch them into four dough balls. Put them into something covered to store. I sometimes use pots or big Tupperware containers or even a plate with saran wrap on it.
Put these into the fridge at least overnight but you can store the dough balls in the fridge covered for 5 or 6 days and it’ll actually get yummier as it will develop a bit of a sourdough flavour.
Baking day:
Preheat oven to 475. Get a big baking sheet, you want your biggest because you want your baguettes to be long and pretty and baguette looking. Put parchment paper on the sheet. Roll out your baguette or baguettes. I will show you how in class [she teaches this to teens] but also just google it. Put your little baguettes on the pan and go do something else for a few minutes, maybe 15 so the dough relaxes just a bit. If you want to be a fancy pants, use a knife to cut little slashes on top of the baguettes so they look more like the ones you buy in store. Put the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. Take it out and let it cool and bit and then enjoy!!!!!
Thank you, Shannon, for this recipe, and for the fun you put into describing the process! Making these baguettes at home, with or without your kids or grandkids, can be discipleship in action. 🥖
I'd Love to Hear From You!
I would love to hear from you! What connections have you made between the experiences of Black Americans and Canadians, and the ecological crisis? Are there resources that you have found helpful and would like to share? I can include them in a future newsletter.
What is on your heart and mind, lately, about faith and the climate crisis? What worries you, and what brings you joy?
And, I would especially love to hear about the ways in which you are living out your discipleship in response to God in a time of climate change. Please reach out:
jessica@jessicahetherington.ca.
Upcoming Events
I have some fun news! On Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 11 am – 12 noon, I will be on The Radical Reverend radio show on CIUT Radio 89.5 FM, which is run out of Toronto. I will be on to talk about my ministry and about the importance of faith for climate action and ecological change. Shortly after the program finishes live, they post it here to download and listen: https://ciut.fm/shows/the-radical-reverend/?fbclid=IwAR370TRrxRYw8DwSfAXayXfjiBcTRXbdTPhKCBXiBfe1RAp_lIT_oGADmP8. I hope you’ll tune in!
Preaching events coming up:
Feb 18, 2023 – Riverside United Church, 3191 Riverside Drive, Ottawa ON, 10:30 am in person or online at: https://www.youtube.com/@riversideunitedchurchottawa.
Feb 26, 2023 – Wall Street United Church, 5 Wall St. Brockville ON, 10:00 am in person.
Contact
Any questions or comments? Things you'd like to see in this newsletter? I'd love to hear from you. Please go to jessicahetherington.ca, or email me at: jessica@jessicahetherington.ca.
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