Words matter. People may not realize it, but our worldviews are built into and shaped by our language. While English is perfectly capable of expressing important ideas, it does lack a very important inherent aspect… a set of values that are often ingrained into indigenous languages about the connectivity of people, plants and animals to the land.

English Contains The Constructs of Colonialism and Capitalism

Next month is the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. We’ve held celebrations every April since 1970 to honor environmental protections, but WTF have we actually accomplished since then? I would be remiss if I didn’t honor all the hard work, passion, sacrifice and accomplishments of the people in the environmental movement up to this point. This isn’t about ego or arrogance. This is about assessment of strategy, and a pushback on the resistance to change strategy.

For people who see the critical threat our civilization is to life on this planet, a “return to normal” is not an appealing message. In fact it’s reprehensible. For people sucked into the 24-hour news cycle that builds up our primary threat as Donald Trump, then maybe a return to normal sounds like a respite, but it is wholly inadequate.

No matter who you are, it is critically important for all people on this planet to understand the ramifications of colonialism on the human spirit, the damage that has been done to the indigenous people, the planet, and also to the souls of those who were otherwise involved. It’s important to know that healing can and sorely needs to take place for all, if the world is ever to be a better place.