Recently, Eileen and I participated with our Baha'i friends in another in a series called "Conversations of Consequence." This one focused on the topic of "HUNGER."
Before reading further, please spend 21 minutes taking in the impact of these 3 videos:
For me one highlight of our time together exploring this topic was this eye-, mind- and heart-opening video that was shown by Hope - our main presenter:
In learning more about this need, I was led to this next organization: Why Hunger.
Watch this powerful, hope-filled video:
If you need a dose of hope...gratitude...perspective...visit Hope's Facebook "farm"
Conversations of Consequence: HUNGER
For me one highlight of our time together exploring this topic was this eye-, mind- and heart-opening video that was shown by our main presenter:
In learning more about this need, I was led to this next organization: Why Hunger.
Watch this powerful, hope-filled video:
From this 2020 post:
--NYS Primary Day – Today June 23 “If we fail to give everyone a seat at the table, this may well turn out to be humanity’s LAST SUPPER.”
Here's a slide I prepared for our Consequences time:
PROJECT EATS
About Us
Founded in 2009 by artist Linda Goode Bryant, Project EATS is a living installation transforming vacant lots and rooftops into neighborhood-based farms supporting farm stands, pantries, prepared food, and community programs to catalyze creativity and cultivate greater food sovereignty across New York City. Communities deserve to grow their own food right where they live–Art that feeds. Project EATS 2021 Video:
Project EATS Notable Press: BK Reader; Food Management
Founder, Linda Goode Bryant
Linda's decades of art-based activism began with her founding of Just Above Midtown gallery (JAM) which was a self-described laboratory that foregrounded the work of African-American artists including David Hammons, Maren Hassinger, Butch Morris, Senga Nengudi, Lorraine O’Grady, Howardena Pindell and many others. JAM’s explicit purpose was to be “in, but not of, the art world” offering early—and often unique—opportunities to artists to experiment and create freely, away from art market pressures. After closing JAM, Linda dedicated herself to filmmaking, directing the Peabody award-winning documentary Flag Wars (2003), an intimate portrait of a community in-flux that explores the tensions between preservation and gentrification. Over her nearly 50-year career, Linda has and continues to advocate for a connection to “our innate ability to use what we have to create what we need”. For more: Harper's BAZAAR; NYT–T Magazine; BOMB; ArtNews; Artnet; Culture Type
FARM AID
"Music fuels this movement..."
Farm Aid features the best that music has to offer, while remaining true to its ultimate mission.
Great music, supporting farmers, and strengthening America since 1985
Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on the land. Dave Matthews joined the Farm Aid Board of Directors in 2001, and Margo Price joined in 2021. Farm Aid has raised more than $70 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture. Farm Aid is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America.
Learn more about Farm Aid’s work in this video:
MUSIC to Disturb your Dinner...
[from this piece] “Them belly full, but we hungry / A hungry mob is an angry mob”
Those opening lines are from a 1974 song by reggae musician, Bob Marley, in describing the reaction of people to their plight against hunger brought on by the “system.” Marley, born in “British” Jamaica, knew something about oppression, reflected by his song lyrics.
However, this anthem could easily be sung by people hungry not only for food, but for justice. In American Society, where for centuries, African Americans continue to be treated as second-class citizens—“them belly full,” all right! It’s not that black lives don’t matter, it’s that they don’t matter enough!
Why Hunger: a Movement that's worldwide...
"Food and farming can be used to have dominion over people...or it can be used to liberate...Food is the essence of life"
--Jesús Vázquez - Organización Boricuá de Agricultura Ecológica de Puerto Rico
"Music is the soundtrack to social movements...It's the pulse that moves people along..." (03:35 ff)
Video includes lots on children...
Closing comments
"I am hopeful and determined and Why Hunger is in a great position to fulfill that promise. Let's go big. Let's make it happen. Let's educate and empower...make change...real change...no more talking..."
How we gonna keep 'em down on the farm...?
"Swampstock or bust!"
You can have a lot of fun in a New York minute
But there's some things you can't do inside those city limits
Ain't no closing time
Ain't no cover charge
Just country boys and girls gettin' down on the farm
Well you can come as you are
There ain't no dress code
Just some rural route rules that you need to know
Don't mess with the bull
He can get real mean
Don't forget to shut the gate
Stay out of the beans
If it starts to rainin' will just head to the barn
We're country boys and girls gettin' down on the farm
MORE FARMIN' FUN & TUNES...
#music #humor #Bahai #hunger #farms #ProjectEATS #WhyHunger #FarmAid #TheraFarms #TimMcGraw #BobMarleyAndWailers #Hippocrates #HopeNemikas
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