Grappling With Nature Series No. 2 (Alternate Reality) | Mixed Media Project

in Alien Art Hive25 days ago

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It is true, you know. Contrary to popular belief, everything isn't relative. At least this is the information fed to the public when, in fact, the opposite is true.

What is relative is the fact that nature is in our world for a reason.

But what is nature exactly?

We understand that "nature" is a term that encompasses everything that has been created naturally on our planet, including animals, plants, climate, water, atmosphere, and geology that are not made by people. They're independent of humans. The word also means phenomena that aren't influenced by human intervention (a). The word comes from the Latin “natura“, which means natural, having innate dispositions, and translates to birth.

Nature is abundant with millions of species. It refers to the physical world and the life within it such as animals and plants. 1

What is relative is that for decades since the beginning of our country's recognition of the value of nature as a natural resource to be enjoyed by all, certain groups of citizens (especially people of color) were hindered intentionally from participating in their right to enjoy the natural environment.

What is relative is that from the Anglo people in authority's point of view, they have consistently proposed that people of color just aren't interested in the "great outdoors" as nature is called or participating in all it has to offer.

This perspective is bizarre; and it's untrue.

Just as certain groups of individuals attempt to rewrite history to produce more favorable sympathies toward themselves, those sample people have to cover all bases and gloss over certain evidence if the narrative is to be believed and the underlying truth overlooked.

In reality, those individuals hide behind a false narrative and mask. But like any truth, it couldn't and can't be hidden forever. The mask must come off in the light of evidence that can't be refuted.

Evidence of this is provided by the research at NC State’s College of Natural Resources that uncovered that people of color are far less likely to engage in nature-based outdoor recreation activities, with historic discrimination being a large underlying factor. 2

According to Myron Floyd, dean of the College of Natural Resources and lead author of several studies exploring race and ethnicity in parks and outdoor recreation, the lack of diversity and inclusion in outdoor spaces can be traced back to the very beginning of parks, especially to the individuals who created the park system.

Since the inception of the Civilian Conservation Corps and National Park System, throughout history, parks in the United States have been conceptualized, created and managed by Caucasian men who held racist beliefs.

Those men believed that people of color weren't major stakeholders in outdoor recreation or park-related activities; hence they experienced segregation from a multitude of outdoor recreation agencies.

When it came to creating our national parks, John Muir, who is credited with the creation of the National Park System and the conservation movement, was recently rebuffed and taken to task by the Sierra Club for his long history of racism.

Muir, who co-founded the organization in 1892, strongly believed that:

Indigenous people had no right place in the landscape despite the fact that they had lived there for thousands of years. He believed that Indigenous peoples’ villages and their ways of life should be destroyed in order to have “unblighted, unredeemed wilderness.”

Also, according to Floyd, “the underlying rationale for creating parks was the idea of U.S. nationalism, to promote the American identity, and the American identity was primarily Caucasian, male and young. In truth, it was trying to distinguish the American identity from the European identity: being a separate, more mature nation in the mid-19th century.”

Gifford Pinchot, one of another important figures in the conservation movement and the first head of the U.S. Forest Service, held racist beliefs that:

Parks were created for Americans of only Northern European descent.

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When young, I remember my parents telling us that they couldn't afford to go on vacations with six children since the cost would be more than they earned for several months. Our family didn't have disposable income. We were relegated to finding activities close to home that were substantially inexpensive.

When locating an affordable place for outdoor activities, in the late 50s and during the 60s, I remember signs posted for separate water fountain facilities: One for BLACKS and one for WHITES ONLY.

It's a fact that participation and attendance at state and national parks, as well as forest areas, tend to be disproportionate between Caucasians and people of color.

Perhaps a feeling of unease that exists at being scrutinized for being in an outdoor space as though they don't belong there. I know the feeling all too well during my lifetime. Stares, frowns, and facial expressions that pierce your resolve sending threatening vibes, some intentional, that ringsloud and clear with the message...you don't belong here.

It's widely believed that people of color don't care about the outdoors or interacting with nature. An even more bizarre attitude and belief is that people of color don't care about the environment.

The stereotypes exist today.

Think about this. If you were excluded or highly discouraged from participating in certain activities, would you continue to bang your head against the wall to be included, or find alternate ways to enjoy yourself? Both have been sought after and accomplished.

However, I believe the decision should be a matter of pure choice instead of exclusion.

According to Jerry Lee, an assistant professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, the history of public park systems and current-day prejudices against people of color are two areas that reinforce each other and prevent higher participation from people of color in outdoor leisure and sports. 2

Lee also stated that “one idea is that if people of color have the same income levels, they will participate in outdoor recreation or visit parks as much as their Caucasian counterparts,” then explains, “but this is an anglo-confirmative bias, meaning that it normalizes Caucasians’ leisure behavior as a benchmark. Existing empirical studies do not support the idea.” 2

For many people of color, especially in the middle class who may have disposal income, they may not chose a nature-based vacation or outing. They may discover other ways to enjoy their free time or engage in indoor activities.

Finally, NC State’s College of Natural Resources firmly believe that the outdoors can become more inclusive once the narrative changes, from emphasizing achievements of people of color in outdoor recreation to having more diverse leadership in outdoor recreation agencies, organizations and advisory boards. 2

Individuals' relationship with nature is complex in some areas. However, it should have been left to the individual to decide whether to embrace nature or reject it.

In my next Grappling With Nature Series, I'll explain some reason why individuals are hesitant to embrace the natural environment.


Source: 1
Source: 2
(a) Although nature was ultimately affected by human intervention in the forms of pollution and endangerment to its environment.

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For this current mixed media project, I'm continuing my Grappling With Nature Series. This project is No. 2 and deals with alternate reality. The theme is meant to portray the concept of believe what is told to society and demanding that they accept it as reality. Those in power attempts to deflect, stating that what one sees happening in real time isn't relative to the underlying state of affairs.

Below are my steps in designing the theme.

I utilized Canva as my design program to blend the different type images. I began with a blank, white canvas; then added layers of elements that includes tools to remove backgrounds, separate images from background or parts thereof, colorize, resize, filter, duplicate, and reposition items as required.

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These are the images I included in my theme. I love the facial mask that's cracked.


Abstract butterfly background ~ Female in blue outfit ~ Scary plaster face ~ Butterfly hybrid ~ Abstract red flower pattern ~ Gull - Contributed to the #LIL by @agmoore

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I share with you my completed design:

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Thanks for taking the time to view my post. I hope you like my mixed media project for Grappling With Nature Series - No 2.

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Good luck everyone with whatever your endeavors.

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SUPPORTS THESE COMMUNITIES:


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SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines
f) Thumbnail Image created by me in Canva.
g) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/

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English is my native language.
If translation included, I use DeepL to assist my readers.
Thanks for your patience an understanding
.

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From many pictures, you have a lot of inspiration with various collections of issues around. You convey it all well.

Also with the results of your collage picture which is conceptualized to convey your thoughts.

if one environment has difficulty accepting us, then it is better to go to another environment that accepts us, or at least do something else instead of forcing something that cannot be accepted. this is very sad when we can't fight at all. but again, it is a choice. and there are many people who choose to wear masks to be accepted

Hello @anggreklestari. Thanks for your visit and insight. I appreciate it. You are correct that some people will never accept others as equals. Is it best to go your own way and find your pleasures elsewhere instead of forcing others to accept you? That's an individual choice one has to make. It all depends on whether you truly want to be included in that type of activity. For me, I'd rather go to places and spaces where I'm welcomed and accepted and feel comfortable being in without safety concerns.

Thanks for your support. Take care.

!LADY
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Curated by lauramica

Often, false news or ways of thinking are spread so that they become accepted as true, when in reality they are hiding something else.

People of colour are people like any other, and to say that they do not like nature or enjoy it would be like saying that they are not human. What happens is that they hide other things and tend towards discrimination. We are all people with different tastes, but sometimes our different economic possibilities mean that we choose within our means.

You have developed a design that invites reflection on the world in general, on nature, on people, and on fake news or things that are said and that people accept as true when in reality they are masks for another reality, as you mentioned. Fascinating publication, thank you very much for your art and your point of view. Hugs!


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Hello @avdesing. You are exactly right when you say that false narratives are spread and told repeatedly through the years so that those who don't know any better or do and want to cover up and control the conversation for the true reasons for people of color not participating. It's so easy to judge a group of people with false information. But the part about making those people feel unwelcome in open spaces where they have every right to be is inhuman.

Thanks so much for your visit and thoughtful input. I appreciate it and know that you get it. Take care.

!LADY
@topcomment

I agree, it's totally inhumane, because there should be no discrimination. We are all human beings with the same rights and the opportunity to enjoy these spaces. Thank you!

Have a wonderful day!🤗

You too. And thanks so much for selecting my project as one of the Our Picks reading suggestions. Much appreciated. Have a nice rest of your weekend.

Thanks to you, have a spectacular Sunday!

I'm so busy these days (taking care of a convalescing husband) that I don't have time to read a lot of posts. Thank you for drawing my attention to this one. Brilliant. Wonderful. Are there more adjectives??? So well done. So important.

I am Caucasian, and have always realized the privilege that gives me in public. However, when I was a child my family lived in disgrace because of what my father did. It was a small town. And a very well known extended family. Everyone knew us and they knew of the circumstances in which we lived. I always had that feeling of being recognized and disparaged, of being stigmatized. It's a strange way to live and it really makes one avoid people generally. That was a long time ago, but it helps me to understand what you say.

I look forward to reading more on this topic. You are such an interesting person :)

Hope you are well, @justclickindiva.


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Thank you @topcomment and @friendlymoose!

Hello @agmoore. First, good to hear from you. Hope your hubby is mending on schedule. I can understanding IRL taking control during this time.

For my article, when you say that you've always had the feeling of being disparaged and stigmatized, imagine what it's like for a diaspora every single day of their lives simply because of the color of their skin.

And as you say, it was a long time ago. But I can still see the sign over the water fountain. And can still remember entering Woolworth diner downtown and told there was no place to sit even though numerous booths were empty. All my mother wanted was two ice cream cones to cool us off on that hot day and a place to rest before walking back to the bus stop to return home. I'll never forget.

Interesting? That a lovely thought. Perhaps because I've witnessed and heard utterances and comments and "gone through some things" that would shatter a person's self esteem.

Thanks for your visit and insight. Your encounters as did mine certainly shaped our adulthood. I appreciate your engagement. Take care.

!LADY
@topcomment

Hello @agmoore. Hope your husband is progressing. When you get a chance, take a look at my deep dive:
https://peakd.com/hive-111516/@justclickindiva/family-tree-exposed-a-poem

Take care.

POWERFUL and necessary ... I am largely alone in my city's parks, and the love of my life and I once discussed why we in those decades were so often alone ... he was enough older to know the history you discussed, and how Black people were made to feel unsafe in outdoor spaces PURPOSEFULLY. He enjoyed our city's parks and introduced them to me PURPOSEFULLY, including how to stay safe, because racism in the parks is still a thing. I have had police called on me, and even had it said loudly to intimidate me: "Oh, we're letting n****rs in our parks now?" Caucasians -- white folks -- EVERY TIME.

On the other hand, some of the finer white folks I've ever met were the ones who knew: Creation is for everyone to enjoy. They have purged themselves from bigotry and been healed.

A sad state of affairs indeed. I remember not too long ago a Black man was bird watching in a city park. What! No way! He's got to be up to no good. It's a good think to learn about safety if for when we do venture out. And try not to go alone during certain times.

Sadly, much hatred still exists. And a rewriting of history only overshadows the root problem. As you say, some have purged themselves. But they're only a drop in the old culture bucket of racism.

Thanks for your visit and thoughtful insight into the problem. I appreciate it. Take care and have a lovely weekend.

!LADY
@topcomment

This last election made it clear that not that much has changed ... it's not even "old culture." It's right here with us. The incidents I described took place in the last five years. But hey: history will not be rewritten. We're here putting it on the blockchain.

Yes we are for those who care to uncover the truth.

People act like there's no absolute truth anymore but that's just what they want us to think. Nature doesn't lie, it's all connected and there for a purpose. Someone gets it

That is absolutely true @madaug because some people desperately want to grab onto anything or concept that give them a sense of superiority over another.

Thanks for stopping by and viewing my article and design. I appreciate it and your support. Take care.

!LADY

Nice one

Happy to hear you liked how this project turned out. I like the series and hope I can add value to the remaining projects. Thanks for your visit. Much appreciated. Take care and have a good rest of your week.

!LADY

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Hello @steemflow. Thanks so much for stopping by and viewing my mixed media project and recommending it to the @indiaunited community for support. I appreciate it and am pleased you found my design and theme interesting. Take care and have a nice start to your weekend.

Thanks @eve66 for sharing my article and design. I appreciate it. Take care.

!LADY

Hello, @justclickindiva after being 03 days without internet due to a provider failure, I'm back.

Unbelievable, to be without internet in the middle of the 21st century, just us, and the slowdown that this means in the projects.

Your collage has something special, it's beautiful, at the same time sad, at the same time dark and surreal, I love it.

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I'm sorry to hear it. Try to fix one problem, then another pops up. One you can do something about, but the other; it's out of your control who's selected to bring internet to the citizens. Something doesn't seem right in that situation. It would seem as though a change in providers would be looked into. That is, unless there is only one provider. Then, you're left to the inconsistencies that company dishes out without recourse.

It's sad that companies take your money, but then provide crappy service. And in some instances, there's nothing you can do about it. I think about our electricity company with its grid problems. It would seem that in the U.S., those problems wouldn't happen. But backdoor deals and favoritism lands companies huge service contracts with little to no accountability.

Previously, during Hurricane Beryl, lives were lost due to the lack of expertise at the company operating the electrical grid in our state.

Thanks for sharing. Take care. Hope you can stay connected for a while to work online. Take care.

!LADY

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We understand that "nature" is a term that encompasses everything that has been created naturally on our planet, including animals, plants, climate, water, atmosphere, and geology that are not made by people.

I once discussed this very thing with a friend and I realized something curious.
Why is the human being not classified as something natural if it can be considered an animal? Because as far as we know, the human being has been created naturally on this planet. Although the term is used for everything that has not been created by man, technically that includes man himself.

Also, continuing with that same theme, why is everything that is created by human science called “Artificial”?
It is supposed to refer to something that cannot be conceived in nature without human intervention, but if we consider human itself as one outside of nature, then all creation could be considered natural.

For example:
Fire occurs naturally when different elements coincide to generate spontaneous combustion.

If we eliminate the factor “Coincidence” from the equation, we would have as a result the inventive nature of the human being.

An interesting interpretation @neblomax. Thanks for your analysis.

Thanks @lee1938 for sharing my project. I appreciate it.

@justclickindiva, I paid out 0.517 HIVE and 0.101 HBD to reward 11 comments in this discussion thread.

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