Thursday 19 August 2010

Seeds of Hope: We are the leaders we've been looking for

In the clip below, Grace Lee Boggs, author and activist, talks about change.

While she states that our planet is currently facing a serious time of uncertainty, she sees hope, and a movement emerging where, instead of people complaining about things, they're doing something about it.

She gives the example of Will Allen, former basketball player and current urban farmer, community organizer, writer and activist. Allen puchased a 2-acre piece of land to grow food for a community. According to Boggs, growing our own food provides a way for young people to relate to the earth, their elders, and time, in a different way.

In answer to the question often posed, "How do I make a difference?", Boggs says that it should be something local and something real- however small. Even starting a dialogue is doing something.

When asked if there are leaders we can look to, Boggs states that we have to rethink the concept of leaders; leader implies power.
Instead, we need to embrace the idea that we are the leaders we've been looking for.

Inspiring!


4 comments:

Gina; The Candid RD said...

He's got it right. Very inspiring. Nick and I are growing our own garden, and we hope to teach our kids to do the same. Not only gardening itself, but teach them why it's so important and how it compares to buying produce/food at stores. Nothing beats it.

Sybil Hebert, RD said...

That's awesome Gina.

"Guppy" Honaker said...

I am a huge proponent of growing our own food. During the economic difficulties of the Second World War people grew their own "Victory Gardens." During today's struggles, growing one's own food just makes sense. It saves money, you can be assured of no harmful chemicals, it taste so much better than store bought, etc. (the list really does go on and on).

- David

Aloe Vera 101
Holistic Health Info.

Melissa said...

Something so primal and pure about getting your hands in the dirt.