By Melvin Giles, peacebubbles@q.com
“It meant that we were a part of what we considered a historical movement, so it was of great sense. Think of that; nothing had been done like that before.” Josie Johnson
“We may not have chosen the time, but the time has chosen us.” John R. Lewis
“There are times when fighting is the only way to keep love alive.” Starhawk
Hello Monitor readers,
The months of July and August felt like a non-stop rollercoaster ride that I expected in 1999 during our transitioning year into the new century. For instance, at that time many people thought that world would turn into chaos, that computers would malfunction, that our financial system would crumble and that the red or blue pill of the Matrix movie would become reality. And, the year 2000 was a moment in time for testing America’s democracy; I definitely wasn’t happy that presidential nominee Al Gore letting-go of his majority We the People votes win over democracy electoral votes, as well as the Supreme Court final election result/decision; however, it wasn’t until the 2020 election could I appreciate the principles and values of our democracy. I feel 2024 is another rollercoaster moment in time that we are experiencing living in a weird, crazy, and exciting time that will test our great experiment of democracy and that history will share that we passed the test in flying blue, red, and purple colors!
NATE ON PILGRIM’S COMMUNITY GARDEN
This month, I asked my community friend, Nate Galloway, to provide a brief update on an environmental justice project (mini forest/green screen) that we and others have been working on. Nate is a former St. Paul Public School administrator and educator, a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church, and an Urban Farm & Garden Alliance (UFGA) garden leader.
“We accomplished the goal of Pilgrim Baptist Church’s Community Garden 2024 project by bringing a natural green space to the Old Rondo neighborhood, which creates access education opportunities for our community. The Garden Project used the Miyawaki Method of planting a Green Screen / Mini Forest and establishing a home for 20 native species, along the northeast corner of Pilgrim’s Community Garden at 732 W. Central Ave. St. Paul.
On Friday, May 3, the fifth grade Science Students from Maxfield Elem School planted 150 tree seedlings. We felt it was important to involve young people from the community and form long-lasting relationships with this space. This was a great opportunity to nurture a relationship between the future mini forest and the elementary students three blocks away.
Another important part of this project was the connection with the University of Minnesota Engineer Without Borders students. They added a rainwater catchment system from new gutters on the garden shed, and constructed new composting area, accessible pathways and six raised garden boxes. We are looking forward to seeing the green screen build the soil, cool the immediate area, support pollination at the community garden, be beautiful, and more, as it grows.
A special thanks to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for financial, technical, planning, volunteer, and moral support for Pilgrim’s Green Screen, and for documenting the event with pictures and video. Thanks to Great River Greening for providing the tools, facilitating soil prep and mulching, volunteer support, and for ongoing watering support. Many thanks to Urban Farm Garden Alliance for their continued encouraging support, along with Ramsey County Master Gardeners and many others who showed up showing up in force on a rainy May 4 for Community Planting Day, where 300 tree seedlings found a new home. We have also been truly blessed with the steady rain we have been receiving that has help our Community Garden thrive during our growing season.” – Nate Galloway
Thank you, Brother Nate. The fifth graders at Maxfield Elementary School also planted a time capsule that they will dig up in seven years to read messages of their hopes and dreams for themselves, for All Our Relatives, and for Mother Earth! I look forward to being present as the then graduating high school students unearth their future visions.
THANK YOU, ELDER LATIMER
Finally, I have to acknowledge that Minnesota has reaped good and honorable political leaders, like Herbert Humphrey, Wendell Anderson, Randy Staten, Walter Mondale, Paul Wellstone, Sharon Sayles Belton, and other notable lawmakers (Toni Carter), However, in my lifetime, it is the late-George Latimer that will always have a special place in my heart and mind for being an outstanding and authentic champion of justice and truly a person who walked and worked with integrity, empathy, and joy. R.I.P, Mayor Latimer; you were a wonderful mayor and cared for the best for St. Paul residents, for our state, and for our country. Thank you, Elder George.
Let’s stay optimistic: Governor Coach Tim will be the vice-president of our great United States. Cultivate and be hopeful within yourself and with others; Joyful Peggy Flanagan will be Minnesota’s governor. And, I hear that Minnesota will have a Black person as Lt. Governor! This has been a strange, weird, and crazy leap year, as well as an exciting, energizing, and embracing empathy leap year! Enjoy the light of the Harvest Full Moon Season. Be well, all and hold on!
May Peace Be In the Rondo, Frogtown, Hamline/Midway, Como, and Surrounding Communities... May Peace Be In Our Homes and Communities… May Peace Prevail On Earth (MPPOE).
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