Just A Speck in the Universe
I was sitting on my couch one day and came across on Netflix the new series of the Cosmos, done by Neil DeGrasse Tyson. As a fan of the original series by Sagan, I wanted to see if Tyson offered a whole new experience to the series. As usual, Tyson did not fail. In fact, he scared the crap out of me.
The first episode I saw, was when Tyson talked about where our planet is in relation to everything in the universe. That is when he went to the observable universe. I have been to the Alder Planetarium many times in Chicago. I’ve studied astronomy in my free time. I’ve laid outside under a clear night sky looking up at the stars and planets overhead, and not once did I feel scared. But when I saw what the observable universe may look like on Tyson’s Cosmos, the idea of “we are the only ones here” truly sunk in. From 16 billion light years away, we are just a speck in the universe.
Which is more of a reason, why we should care about the planet we live on. Murray Bookchin, who wrote Society and Ecology, said:
“The present generation seems more self-centred, privatized, and mean-spirited by comparison with earlier generations. It lacks the support systems provided by the extended family, community, and a commitment to mutual aid. The encounter of the individual with society seems to occur through cold bureaucratic agencies rather than warm, caring people. “
Our planet is under siege. The attack is coming from institutions that are allowing businesses to act in a way, and are passing policies, that are not in the best interest of our natural community. In Japan, despite a ban on whale hunting since the late 80s, fishermen are currently using a legal loophole to kill 300 Minke whales as we speak for the sole purpose of using their meat for consumption. Did I mention that there are only 515,000 of them in the world? We don’t have to look far to see even more of these actions. Just across the mighty Mississippi in Illinois, the state of passed a regulatory bill for fracking companies to continue drilling in Southern Illinois as well as strip away the natural beauty of Starved Rock State Park in Olgesby, Illinois.
These are just a couple of the many examples which show a need for better preservation and conservation for our planet. But justice for our environment is not limited to just preservation and conservation, or promoting ideas like creating community gardens and sustainable industries. Because justice is inter-sectional. Audre Lorde describes this by saying, “There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle, because we do not live single-issue lives.” We cannot talk about our environment, or climate change, without talking about other issues.
So while the United States, and other nations, are investing research funds to see if water is on Mars, there is no effort to research how to extract water or use certain funds to get clean water to those in Africa. In nations such as Africa and others the citizens are still drinking dirty water, and some cities receive the blunt end of public policy, while other receive the better of it.
We also have to wonder why a company like Fisk would be allowed to build their coal generating plant in the Southwest of Chicago, where thousands in the Latino and black communities inhale toxic fumes. Or what about those with low-incomes having to live near plants in Clinton that make up the “city of four smells”.
There are even companies that threaten rural communities, and if residents don’t pass certain local referendums, or get their elected official to pass certain policies, their communities can be basically destroyed. If the citizens in these cities do manage to keep these companies out, then they will move elsewhere, just so their bottom dollar and strategic plans are met. Plus, due to free trade agreements, places like China increase their carbon footprint and public-private partnerships in places like Brazil, people often get displaced and become homeless. All of this so that those who benefit can live in great luxury and comfort. And we certainly cannot overlook how the military industrial complex destroys ecosystems as well.
We are just a speck within the observable universe. We are moving on this celestial rock through a vacuum in space, while injustices are going on as I just mentioned. In order for us to create ecological harmony on our planet, we need to stop thinking we are above those in the natural realm, and thinking more on how we are a part of the ecological systems surrounding us.
As I stated earlier, we cannot create change in our environment by simply conserving, preserving, and implementing sustainable ideas. My friend, Scott Crow, who created organizing efforts in the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans, said to me that real power is exercised directly by working together in communities to make changes in the world. Whereas those in a position of power do not generally act to make changes in society, because of the influences they get from economic, political and other institutions that help them increase and maintain their wealth.
This is why our elected officials do not work on behalf of our communities or the environment. They were chosen to govern affairs that need to happen to sustain the companies and the wealthy. If we happen to get something in that process, it won’t be because the governing bodies wanted it. It will be because we organized and forced the state, institutions and businesses to speak to our needs and the needs of the environment. If we do not hold them personally responsible for the global impact they are making, then who will? As the Roman poet, Juvenal, said “who will guard the guardians?”
How long are we going to sit around, begging politicians and institutions, when we have the power to create change ourselves? We are the only ones that can make our demands and needs a reality. We have created agendas before, but sometimes we look to the wrong people or groups to carry out those agendas. There has never been a kind of empowerment which helps us to make others realize that we have the greatest power to make changes in our world. Until that realization occurs, we are going to continue to just look at each other around a room and ask the question, “Why is this happening?” In closing, and to paraphrase what Cesar Chavez said, “The issue is never just about grapes.”
