Kenyan Environmental Activist [Wangari Maathai] Wins Nobel Peace Prize
This is excellent. I first read about Wangari Maathai's work in Hope's Edge, and in that chapter Frances Moore Lappe related how the Green Belt movement was about more than planting trees:
"Even if you enter with trees," explains Wangari, "until people understand their rights, especially their environmental rights; how to stand up for their rights and have the courage to stand up--until then, even the planting of trees is not safe. People can always be intimidated. They can always be pushed back."
Wangari also uses the "wrong bus syndrome" to illustrate that, though there are many reasons why you may find yourself going in the wrong direction, you still have control:
"Without denying the big obstacles we all face, especially these villagers, we do create many of our own problems--either through omission or commission. Many problems we have a capacity to change. So, I tell them, 'We can change our lives. We can change our destiny. If you've been misled--and many people are in that category--and you discover you were misled, you have a choice. You can decide to continue in the wrong direction and take a chance wherever the bus will lead you. Or you can decide to get out of that bus.'"
From the Nobel Committee press release:
Peace on earth depends on our ability to secure our living environment. Maathai stands at the front of the fight to promote ecologically viable social, economic and cultural development in Kenya and in Africa. She has taken a holistic approach to sustainable development that embraces democracy, human rights and women's rights in particular. She thinks globally and acts locally.Maathai stood up courageously against the former oppressive regime in Kenya. Her unique forms of action have contributed to drawing attention to political oppression - nationally and internationally. She has served as inspiration for many in the fight for democratic rights and has especially encouraged women to better their situation.
I've been trying recently to articulate the idea that peace and nonviolence are not passive, and Wangari Maathai illustrates this point boldly.
Congratulations, Dr. Maathai.
Posted by Nic at October 8, 2004 01:17 PM