Episode 131 Douglass DeCandia, agricultural abolitionist, poet

Oh what an emotional week this has been! How my heart aches for Jacob Blake, the black man who was brutally shot 7 times in the back by police officers, with his young children witnessing such racial violence as they sat in their car. The outpouring outcry in the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin, pleading for justice. The appalling, intentional hatred by a 17 year old white supremacist who illegally crossed state lines with an AR-15 to terrorize and murder protesters. The racist policies that allow such terrorism to exist, with people and policies not being held accountable. Then as if the emotions weren’t intense enough, we learned on Friday that Chadwick Boseman, beloved actor, role model, humanitarian, died of colon cancer. He was a symbol of compassion, strength and black power! Rest in peace, inspiring one.

My guest today is Douglass DeCandia. Doug is an agricultural abolitionist, poet, and truthsayer. Doug had been my guest 2 years ago and I felt compelled to invite him back because he continues to inspire me, particularly during this critical period of racial reckoning in our country, for he has his finger on the pulse of the earth and of humanity. He and his partner, g. adabelle, co-authored a chapter that will be published in a handbook for international abolition. Doug sees the intimately correlated relationship of land with abolitionist work, experiencing the healing aspect of agriculture as it easily flows into activism and social justice work. He acknowledges that 4 centuries of white supremacy has left this country in utter turmoil, economically, socially and morally. Think of it, we haven’t ever seen a just food system in this country.

Doug encourages white people to call each other in and call each other out, to listen to the land, listen to the elders, listen to the black movement leaders. Doug, humbly urges all white people to do the work within ourselves and with each other, to not only dismantle racism, but to envision a more just and equitable society. Check out the show notes for links to contact Doug, access his poetry and learn of the abolitionist groups and people he references.

I invite you to follow me on Instagram, where for the first time, last week, I posted 4 short video clips of my conversation with Vonetta Taylor. I’ll also be posting some clips of my conversation with Doug. Let me know what you think. Comments can be posted on Instagram, below each video. We are also thinking of offering complete videos of my weekly podcast conversations on YouTube and would love your feedback. Thanks so much for your support. Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
Email Doug
Center For Humans & Nature
Doug's Poetry
Soul Fire Farm
North Star Fund - Victory Bus Project
"Grandmother’s Hands" by Resmaa Menakem
Enlighten Podcast on Instagram