permaculture

[Michael Burns <burns@panix.com>]

On Mon, 2 Jun 2003, Charles Knoles wrote:

> Dear Bob,
---snip---

>      All people have gaps in their knowledge.  To imply that this is
> uniquely American is absurd.  In my experience the AVERAGE level of
> environmental awareness amongst Americans does seem lower than in Australia
> but being involved in Permaculture education I have found the general
> receptivity to also be higher than it is in Oz.  Everyone I know who says
> they are practicing Permaculture here seem like real overachievers, usually
> involving themselves in ecovillage design, renewable energy practices,
> overseas aid work, amazing urban permaculture food forests etc.  Although

The "overachieving" americans you speak of are usually acutely aware of
their country's imperialistic actions and are the ones who read this list.
It might be good to understand that alot of permies in the U.S.
constantly struggle with ignorance and reactionary views in their own
communities. It can be very tiring. So when someone they mistakenly
thought of as an ally (since they are also on a Pc list) verabally attacks
them and call them ignorant, it is hard to just shake it off and ignore
it. I know it ruffles my feathers. It is enough to make one paranoid and
suspicious of high flying cargo planes and rigged elections!

Sometimes just being born in the U.S.
is enough to be find oneself in the role of a punching bag. While working
in Nicaragua with the Ministry of Health, I had the misfortune of being in
country while George I invaded Panama. I was verbally attacked on buses,
stones were thrown at me in Roberto Huembes market by children, and even
companeros who knew why I supported the Sandinistas couldn't resist
lecturing me about the injustice wrought upon them by the U.S., as if I
didn't know. A year later, I found myself on the same side of the fence
politically but getting clubbed by police as I protested military aid to
El Salvador. I suppose it is a cross to bare, but I won't carry it
quietly. Why should I? Whether it is from the right or the left,
nationalism rarely serves the needs of workers.

Packaging the U.S. as the bogey man is not suprising and makes a very
simple easy to digest analysis. It is far more complicated and even more
disturbing when the majority of americans' (who did not vote for
George II) views, disempowerment, aspirations, and problems are considered.
Well, now that we are on the verge of more complete consolidation of media
those viewpoints will be further obsfucated creating the image of an even
more monolithic version of americana.

Yeah, yeah, I'll continue to fight the power, but I can't fight along with
those who'll tear me down as well.