Contrary to what you may have heard or subconsciously made yourself believe, black people do garden and farm, black people do outdoors and nature, it’s actually historically a part of who we are. Black people have green thumbs too.
Slavery and the idea of forced labor in the fields has understandably made some black folks turn the other cheek when it comes to the idea of working the land, but today we can find more Black Americans tapping into their green thumbs. During these times of uncertainty, more Black people are welcoming plants into their spaces and embarking on the gardening journey as a means of peace, connection deeper than oneself, and simply something to do.
While some may have taken on this new interest just for something to do during shutdown and social distancing, this in actuality, is a culturally liberating act.
There are physical, mental, emotional, social and economical benefits that come with gardening on all scales.
Green spaces have been known to help calm anxiety, decrease depression symptoms, uplift the spirit, and bring an energy of happiness. The soil is therapeutic and healing, improving your mood by compelling you to slow down. Mental health challenges have always carried a heavy weight of stigma within the black community and gardening provides another coping mechanism for those of us who live through that struggle.
Often while working in the garden, (with the soil, plant life, in nature) you unknowingly slow your breathing and relax the areas of stress and tension. Focused hard work and sweating also promotes good blood circulation and release of endorphins.
A more obvious benefit of gardening is that growing your own food offers the ability to have access to healthier food options and more self-reliance.
Taking that even further to what may not be as obvious, is that black people gardening is another form of resistance against racism and systemic oppression. The more black gardens and farms in our communities means the greater our chances of getting real food to those living in food deserts, who really need it.
Food deserts are low-income neighborhoods that are devoid of accessible fresh produce and whole foods. These neighborhoods have more than their fair share of convenient stores and fast food restaurants, but typically the big grocery stores with large fresh produce departments are not in close proximity.
Having access to better options, increases the rate in which fresh whole foods are consumed, which leads to better health by decreasing many of the diseases that plague the black community such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, etc.
There are also economic benefits of gardening. For example, if a gardener grows in abundance, there is an opportunity for selling homegrown produce at local farmer’s markets. This is beneficial for the family as well as the community. People are more eager to purchase from who they trust and feel connected to, and this allows for recycling of the black dollar.
Community gardens and urban farms promote social interaction. Helping one another work towards success, trading produce and seeds the way our ancestors would and sharing knowledge is great for community building. If each one reaches out to teach one, we have the ability to make great impact in our neighborhoods around the world.
“We were not made to run away from the soil, we were made to be one with it. It’s no surprise our mind and spirit finds peace there.”
-Tinita Tennant
Gardening is an amazing way to connect the family by learning and growing together. In this time of technological advancement with everything being quick and easy due to the amount of time being spent behind our phones and other devices, gardening slows you down and draws you in to what’s now and in the moment. The gardening experience stimulates conversation and team work which includes the lost art of making eye contact, smiling and exchanging laughter. The joy of walking outside and gathering food items you grew with your hands and can eat together, never gets old.
No longer will the images of old white men in overalls be the only association we have of what a farmer and gardener looks like. We can now see ourselves in these roles and own it with pride. This can once again be a part of black legacy.
