DeepSummary
The episode begins with Leah and Katherine joking about the thunderstorm happening during the recording, linking it to climate change. They discuss the anthology book "All We Can Save" which Leah has an essay in, and announce that they will be featuring an audio essay from the book titled "Black Gold" by Leah Penniman.
The audio essay "Black Gold" by Leah Penniman, read by Bonnie Turpin, is about the sacred relationship Black people have with soil throughout history and how Black farmers today are using regenerative agriculture practices to help heal the soil, climate, and their communities. It discusses the devastation caused by colonization, capitalism, and white supremacy in estranging Black people from the land.
After the essay, Leah and Katherine reflect on the powerful themes of healing soil, healing communities, and restoring ancestral connections to the land. They promote the paperback release of "All We Can Save" and announce an upcoming virtual book launch celebration.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Black communities throughout history have had a sacred, ancestral relationship with soil that was devastated by the traumas of colonization, slavery and dispossession.
- Today's Black farmers are reviving regenerative agricultural practices to heal the soil, sequester carbon, and connect people back to the land.
- Restoring communities' sacred relationship with soil is key to addressing climate change and human wellbeing.
- The trauma of slavery caused many Black Americans to associate soil with oppression, but reconnecting with it through farming can be an empowering, healing experience.
- Healthy, living soil has deep wisdom to impart about sharing resources and interdependence.
- The anthology book 'All We Can Save' elevates diverse voices working on climate solutions, including this essay highlighting the intersection of racial justice and regenerative agriculture.
- Restoring soil health is crucial for climate mitigation, food security and preventing ecological disasters like wildfires and mudslides.
- Extractive industries like fossil fuels and mining further degrade and destabilize soil, exacerbating environmental and climate harm.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “For many, this period of land based terror has devastated that connection. We have confused the subjugation our ancestors experienced on land with the land herself, naming her the oppressor and running toward paved streets without looking back.“ by Leah Penniman
- “When we regard a handful of woodland soil rich in the mycelium that transmits sugars and messages between trees, we are made privy to the inner world of the forest superorganism and its secrets of sharing and interdependence.“ by Leah Penniman
- “One student on our farm reflected, 'I leave this experience feeling grounded, like a tree in a land and country that I previously did not feel welcomed in connection with soil was the awakening of my sovereignty.'“ by Leah Penniman
- “In healing our relationship with soil, we heal the climate and we heal ourselves.“ by Leah Penniman
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Episode Information
A Matter of Degrees
Dr. Leah Stokes, Dr. Katharine Wilkinson
7/19/21