In the weeks since the violence in Charlottesville, we’ve been moved by the national response.
The violence that day was a chilling reminder of the long-present vein of racism and white supremacy in this country—and that this hate has been emboldened. But we are heartened by thousands turning out in places like Boston, Seattle, and the San Francisco Bay Area—a sign that are uniting in condemnation of white supremacy and that we are the majority. With communities of color and racial justice activists leading the way, we see the many ways people are taking action.
We also know that violence goes beyond torches and overt acts of terror. It’s present for the roughly 16 million households that experience hunger nearly every day, including millions of food workers who can barely afford to feed themselves. It’s present in the dangerous working conditions of many farmworkers, like those responsible for ending the life of 28-year-old Honesto Silva Ibarra in a Washington blueberry field. It is also present in the communities—disproportionately communities of color—displaced, flooded, and trapped by Hurricane Harvey in the latest climate injustice.
For those working to transform food, making the connections between the dominant food system and this structural violence and racism is critical. We believe that we can come together to turn the food system into a powerful force for combatting white supremacy, supporting workers’ rights, and building sustainable and climate-resilient communities.
We’re excited to share this month’s Real Food Scoop with you—and look forward to connecting, either with our Organizing Toolkits, our book club, through an event, or more.
In community and solidarity,
Anna, Christina, Tiffani, and Tanya