We Need All We Have

Image by Meredith Stern, Just Seeds

In these times of omnicide­­­­—the ongoing attacks on all ecological and communal integrity—every one of us must ask ourselves what gifts we have and how we can best use them in the service of life. As many as there are problems created by the dominant culture, there are opportunities to resist systems of oppressive power and renew just and sustainable ways of living. It’s urgent that each of us begin identifying and meeting these opportunities. This planet cannot afford any less.

The diversity of efforts I see in my own community is greatly inspiring. Many different people—of various ages and backgrounds—are doing many different forms of crucial work, all of which is, in the end, complimentary and intertwined.

Some of the activists I know focus on community events. They put together music and art shows that tell stories of love and resistance. They organize discussion groups about radical, meaningful, and locally relevant subjects. They establish spaces where women can meet and discuss outside of men’s habitual domination of group dynamics and subject matter. They establish spaces that are safe for lesbians and gays to meet without experiencing discrimination. They screen films about social and environmental justice, and make time afterwards for discussion.

Some of the activists I know focus on the landbase. They learn and teach about the different creatures who call this place home. They find which natural communities are suffering from industrialism and exploitation and strive to help them to restore. 

Some of the activists I know focus on food. They have started a community garden, which offers around one hundred plots available for use. They run small-scale, organic farms, and strive to teach people about growing food in a way that’s healthy for humans and the land. They run projects that help distribute good food, encouraging others to take care of their bodies and helping tie together local food systems.

Some of the activists I know focus on literature. They are radical librarians, fighting against book banning and for community. They run literature distribution projects to disseminate inspiring revolutionary information.

Some of the activists I know are healers. They learn and teach about medicinal plants, healing themselves and their friends in a natural way. They offer counseling for those struggling through challenging situations. They teach about the healing powers of food.

Some of the activists I know focus on social justice. They fight systems of oppression that negatively impact women, lesbians and gays, the poor, indigenous communities, and people of color. They fight the attacks on their community by the ruling class and the colonialism and warfare used against communities around the world. They dare to challenge capitalism in favor of a more sane and just way of life.

Some of the activists I know are artists. They make music, writing, and art with themes of fighting back. They donate their gifts and work to add an artistic element to the projects of other activists.

To know so many activists dedicating their lives to justice and sustainability is deeply inspiring. When we see the scope of the crises this planet faces in its full horror, it is overwhelming. But resistance starts with a recognition of our own agency and power. It may not be easy, but, if you love life as I do, you know it must be done. My hope is that the activists I know continue doing what they are doing, that their endeavors keep growing and inspiring others. My goal is revolution, and we’ll need all we have to get there.

DGR Wisconsin's first event

On August 5th, an amazing event that i helped to set up happened at Candlelight Collective in West Bend. I, on behalf of Deep Green Resistance Wisconsin, invited musicians Big Dudee Roo and Thistle to play their songs of ecological, social, and feminist resistance. I gave a short talk and presentation on Deep Green Resistance (DGR) and also had a DGR table set up.

The presentation started with a showing of the incredibly powerful short film, Resist: Do not Comply, which includes the voices and words of Lierre Keith and Derrick Jensen, two of the authors of the just-released book, Deep Green Resistance: Strategy to Save the Planet. I am so grateful that i had the wisdom of Lierre and Derrick on hand to begin the presentation with; the film had many in tears, and really set a tone that was perfect for what i was speaking to. The talk started with general information about the Deep Green Resistance movement: it's strategy, analysis, goal, and statement of principles. Then, i discussed the local Wisconsin chapter, where we are it in terms of building the group, our goals, and how folks can get involved to start fighting this system of death at home.

In the future, i would like to deliver a DGR speech more clearly and confidently, so in the meantime i will be practicing. Overall i felt the feedback was good, though (probably because the venue as a whole is supportive of me, as i helped to found it and am still very active there; but anyways...). Many heads were nodding as i spoke. There was no time for Q&A, but i only heard positive comments and excitement about the movement as the evening went on.

The table looked wonderful. It included: two stand up signs with DGR quotes (from DGR Austin); The Problem, or why: Deep Green Resistance pamphlet; General DGR fliers and brochures; Green Scare pamphlets; A pamphlet written by Waziyatawin, called Indigenous People and the Revolution; Security Culture pamphlet; E-mail update sign-up sheets; and a glossy Deep Green Resistance sign. All of the literature was free, and much of it was taken over the evening. Multiple people signed up on the e-list sheets, and many commented about getting more involved.

I want to note how amazing the music at this event was, too. Thistle played first. She sang many songs about gardening, riding bicycles, occupying the Wisconsin state capitol, and killing those who spilled oil in the Gulf of Mexico. I really loved a song she played called "The Last Day of the Sword", about the end of patriarchy. Thistle's energy was intense and inspiring. Next, was Big Dudee Roo. They have been one of my favorite bands this year, and meeting and watching them play was a total honor. Besides being extremely talented musicians, the politics in their lyrics are perfect. A couple of the band members are already active in the Deep Green Resistance movement, and, very much to my delight, it shows. In one song, for example, they sing a beautiful quote (and one of my personal favorites) from Derrick Jensen: "If we wish to stop the atrocities, we merely need to step away from the isolation." My words simply cannot do their music justice, and i urge you to listen and buy cd's from them to give your support. If you are anything like me (someone who loves life, resistance, feminism, and the landbase) you may feel like you finally found the musical match to inspire you in all facets of your work.

As of now, Deep Green Resistance Wisconsin is planning for more events and opportunities to speak and give presentations like this. If you have ideas or want to get involved or want to give us feedback, get in touch: dgrwisconin [at] riseup [dot] net.