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On Race And Roots And How The Soil Taught Me Belonging

Scott Parker

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Published in Unearthed: On Race And Roots And How The Soil Taught Me I Belong

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I remember the first time I saw my grandmother's garden. I was six years old, and we were visiting her in Alabama. The garden was a riot of color and life, with tomatoes, peppers, okra, and squash growing in abundance. There were also flowers of every imaginable hue, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of honeysuckle.

Unearthed: On race and roots, and how the soil taught me I belong

by Claire Ratinon

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4617 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	318 pages

I was immediately drawn to the garden, and I spent hours exploring its every nook and cranny. I marveled at the giant sunflowers, and I carefully examined the delicate petals of the roses. I watched the bees buzzing from flower to flower, and I listened to the birds singing in the trees.

As I explored the garden, I began to feel a sense of peace and belonging that I had never felt before. I was surrounded by beauty and life, and I felt like I was a part of something larger than myself. I realized that the garden was more than just a place to grow food. It was a place where I could connect with my family, with nature, and with myself.

I have always been interested in gardening, but it wasn't until I visited my grandmother's garden that I truly understood its power. Gardening is a way to connect with the earth, and it is a way to connect with yourself. When you plant a seed in the ground, you are making a commitment to life. You are nurturing something and watching it grow. And when that plant finally bears fruit, it is a reminder of the power of creation.

Gardening has taught me many things about myself. It has taught me that I am patient, that I am capable of hard work, and that I am capable of creating something beautiful. It has also taught me that I am not alone. I am part of a long line of gardeners, and I am part of a community of people who share my love of the land.

In a world that is often divided by race, religion, and politics, gardening can be a powerful force for unity. When we garden together, we are all working towards the same goal: to create something beautiful. And when we share the fruits of our labor, we are sharing a piece of ourselves with each other.

I believe that gardening has the power to change the world. It can bring people together, and it can teach us about ourselves and our place in the world. I encourage everyone to find a garden to visit, or to start a garden of their own. You may be surprised at what it teaches you.

How The Soil Taught Me Belonging

The soil is a powerful teacher. It can teach us about the history of our planet, the interconnectedness of all living things, and the importance of community. The soil can also teach us about ourselves. When we work with the soil, we are working with our own roots. We are connecting with the earth, and we are connecting with our own heritage.

I have learned a lot about myself from working in the soil. I have learned that I am strong, that I am resilient, and that I am capable of anything I set my mind to. I have also learned that I am not alone. I am part of a long line of farmers and gardeners, and I am part of a community of people who share my love of the land.

The soil has taught me that I belong. I belong to the earth, and I belong to the community of gardeners who work with the soil. I am grateful for the lessons that the soil has taught me, and I am committed to continuing to learn from it.

Gardening is a powerful force for good in the world. It can bring people together, it can teach us about ourselves and our place in the world, and it can help us to heal the wounds of the past. I encourage everyone to find a garden to visit, or to start a garden of their own. You may be surprised at what it teaches you.

Unearthed: On race and roots, and how the soil taught me I belong

by Claire Ratinon

4.5 out of 5