Removing the clutter and clearing the way

Shannon Yee, Marine Debris and Outreach Intern with the San Diego Coastkeepers, got our team of six PoCC participants to work right away. With grabbers, gloves, plastic bags to collect our debris, and a tally sheet, we walked along the rocks to gather up several pounds of trash. Digging under the rocks to pull out other people’s litter was gratifying, for I knew that the small section we cleared had a larger impact on the earth. The work was also rather symbolic.

When I put together a workshop, either for educators from across the country or for my own colleagues at LREI, I often feel like I am digging deep into rocks and tugging at layers of junk society has piled on us in order to clear the way for richer understandings and a tangible impact on people’s lives. Sometimes I am successful. Like the time when a long time member of the LREI community thanked me for helping him understand systemic bias and the impact it has had on his life as a White male as well as on mine.

Other times, I have to satisfy myself with the piece of the plastic bag I was able to free from the rocks and not fret the rest. The clutter of bias, prejudice, hate, and inequities is so grand and our work to clear the way is a lifetime commitment. We only covered a few yards today. The San Diego Coastkeepers will continue providing opportunities for others to tug, dig, remove, and clear the way. This is how I see my commitment to equity and justice. I’ll keep tugging. I hope you will, too.