The virtual event was part of a series of activities planned for Earth Week 2021.
Author and cultural geographer Carolyn Finney delivered a keynote address to the 黑料不打烊 community on April 22 as part of Earth Week events.
Titled 鈥淪eeing Green: Christian Cooper, John Muir and Playing the Long Game,鈥 her address drew from her book 鈥淏lack Faces, White Spaces鈥 and explored the intersection of race, racism and the environment.
鈥淚n institutions, especially academic ones, having conversations about the environment can be challenging,鈥 said Finney. 鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful to be able to engage with students and faculty and have these conversations.鈥
Kaitlynn Dixon 鈥21, an intern for the Office of Sustainability, introduced Finney. Dixon is also the student coordinator for the Eco-Reps Program. 鈥淥ur goal is to foster sustainability through peer education,鈥 said Dixon. 鈥淲e do that through creating sustainable and intersectional programs.鈥
Finney works as a cultural geographer to develop greater cultural awareness within environmental organizations and institutions. Before becoming a cultural geographer, Finney served as a member of the United States National Parks Advisory Board for eight years.
As part of her profession, Finney connects human impact stories to the environment.
To begin her presentation, Finney addressed the verdict in the trial of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was recently convicted in the death of George Floyd last summer. She believes that the country does not fully understand the ramifications of the verdict. Finney鈥檚 career has allowed her to study the racial history associated with a variety of environmental conflicts.
Throughout her childhood, Finney grew to love spending time in the outdoors. Her parents were employed as gardeners, and she credits her interest in nature to growing up surrounded by it. Her parents tended an estate for 50 years before a conservation easement was placed on the land. Finney was not able to return to her childhood home, and the easement sparked Finney鈥檚 interest in the history of public lands.
鈥淲hen we say public lands, what public are we talking about?鈥 she asked.
Finney鈥檚 interest in public lands led her to explore the national parks. After backpacking throughout the world for five years, Finney began to understand the controversy behind the parks, as much of the designated land once belonged to Native American tribes. She believes that beginning the conversation is an important starting point in moving toward a recognition of the brutal treatment endured by the people and the lands.
As Finney concluded her presentation, she acknowledged the importance of Earth Day through paintings. Although the climate and lands are often associated with conflict and controversy, Finney emphasized the beauty of the planet, and her appreciation for the land that she was raised on.
鈥淭his painter [Robert Duncanson] is playing the long game,鈥 she explained. 鈥淒espite all of the bad, he still believes in hope, and beauty, and I feel a responsibility for us to do better.鈥
Following the conclusion of Finney鈥檚 remarks, participants had the opportunity to ask her questions. The question-and-answer session was facilitated by Kelley Harer, the assistant director of sustainability for education and outreach.
The event was sponsored by the Office of Sustainability; African & African-American Studies; Campus Recreation & Wellness; Center for Environmental Studies; Center for Race, Ethnicity, & Diversity Education; and Public Health Studies.