What a remarkable 2 days at the 2024 National Right to Food Summit. I still have so much to unpack and bring back to my work in Kingston, but a few thoughts and quotes for now are swirling in my mind-
The Right to Food was defined on paper as communities having self-determination and agency to food that is available, accessible, adequate, and sustainable. Not just for some communities, but for all. Here the framework and language of abolition came up frequently. Ashante Reese, a scholar in Black food geographies, asked us to think about the "we" in this work- who is the "we?" Montanette Murphy urged us to not forget those incarcerated, who are often most negatively impacted by an inhumane food system. Because if the "we" does not include our most marginalized, oppressed, and dehumanized communities, like people who are incarcerated, then is what we achieved really justice?
Yet what does this human right even mean? Curtis Waterman, of the Onondaga Nation, challenged the idea of a "right" to food as being "synonymous with the colonized, belittled, and enslaved... That as humans, we are equal with all of creation, not above it." We are caretakers of Turtle Island (Earth). He then offered wisdom of his people- Don't take the first or second. When you take, give thanks. Explain why you're taking it. Only take what is needed. Don't take all. Leave some for the rest and the 7th generation. Share what you harvest with the community.
Regardless of your opinion of how to define human rights, Prakash Kashwan reminded us that rights are an ongoing process in this political world. "They don't trickle down from the top; they must be grabbed."
And this was only the tip of the iceberg. So much wisdom, spirit, and passion was shared. More to come after the next 2 days of learning at the Agriculture, Food and Human Values conference on the Right to Food - Food as Commons.
#RightToFood #FoodJustice #FoodSovereignty #FoodSystems
History happened during this Mobile Food Market experience. The support was incredible! Thank you.