I know it’s a controversial topic, but I want to talk about colonization.
In the spirit of what we’re writing here we can think of colonization as a practice of control, essentially saying “what you want doesn’t matter, I’m going to do and take what I want”. This includes all the beings, trees, wildlife, even bacteria. It’s broad but accurately describes how our culture took over and continues to act, even today.
Also, it’s important to reckon with the fact that we can never go backwards, only forwards. What was is gone, attempting to get back to that state is as much a problem of control as that which was imposed on it and caused all the trouble in the first place. Not a viable option.
And then still there is another problem. Every being, person, plant, animal, bacteria or otherwise needs to be listened to. That is what was lost and needs to be restored. That includes the colonizers. That doesn’t mean just giving them what they want but their real needs should be considered in the context of the whole.
To me that points to a future state. I don’t know exactly what it looks like but I trust that it exists. Where everyone’s needs are met because we listen to all. Where there is balance. I suppose it will happen eventually, with or without us. I’d like to be there…