“I wanted to co-create a healing and joyful space for Black women,” Intersectional Environmentalist founder Leah Thomas says of why she decided to set up the event.
Aisha Seriki
Often, Black women in the environmental movement have to justify why racial justice is an essential part of climate justice and validate others for their tokenistic efforts as allies. That’s why black ecofeminist spaces are needed in the face of climate breakdown. “I wanted to co-create a healing and joyful space for Black women and realised these spaces [in Europe] for Black women were even more sparse,” Thomas says of why she decided to set up the event.
What was clear from the response at the summit was the relief felt at the freedom to exist and engage authentically in an environmental space. One attendee, who had felt alone and disconnected in the movement, travelled to the summit all the way from Sweden and communicated deep gratitude for the community and sense of belonging she had found – showing just how urgent and necessary events like this are.
The day was an incredible success with attendees, organisers and speakers alike overwhelmed with how safe, seen, heard and inspired they felt. Near the end of the day, during a fireside chat with Thomas and multi-disciplinary storyteller, where they spoke about the future of intersectional environmentalism, everyone in the room came together to take a group photo from all angles, with hopes that the images will be held as a reminder of the historic event.
While there may continue to be few spaces where Black women can exist without the expectations of a predominantly white environmental movement, we wait with excitement and deep gratitude for next year’s summit. Until then, we will hold in our hearts the lessons learned from the day: that Black women deserve to be heard, deserve their own spaces in the environmental movement and ultimately, can be and achieve everything they want and more.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
GoPro Hero 11 Black vs Hero 11 Black Mini: which action cam is best?Which action cam will be your Hero?
Read more »
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer confirms identity of new Black PantherWell, Marvel isn't holding back this surprise until Wakanda Forever's actual release
Read more »
Ex-Criterion staff reveal scrapped plans for Black sequelFormer staff members at Burnout developer Criterion have revealed their scrapped plans for a sequel to the studio's fir…
Read more »
BLACK JEGGING JEANSDanielle styling our 𝐟𝐈𝐓𝐒 denim Black Jegging Jeans two ways 🖤 Shop this style and more on our site or app now but be quick! 📲
Read more »
UCLan hosts free community events for Black History MonthThese are the upcoming events that are free of charge
Read more »
Black and Asian infected blood victims feel let down, inquiry toldWitnesses say medical staff did not believe they were infected with hepatitis C in the UK.
Read more »