How Uniting Honors Freedom and Transformation
A community gathers with creative expressions for Peace and Justice to raise awareness and heal problems together
You are a child of Something Greater than Ourselves. You are a piece of freedom, peace and justice.
What if we chose to allow nature to be wild and free, and gave ourselves permission to be wild and free, too?!
What has inspired you to get involved to help peace, justice, ease pain and suffering?
How did you transform while helping others or when others helped you through a challenging time?
The photo of the Barbers and I was taken at an event to protect the San Pedro River, the last free-slowing river in the Desert Southwest. I was asked to run for office after reading my poem, “Bloated Border” by an Arizona representative of National Parks Conservation Association (now Vice Mayor of Tucson), who was accompanied by former Congressman Barber.
Today, the river has a border wall running through it, with massive lighting and concrete boardwalks. Not what many of us had envisioned for peace and justice, the wildlife who need unfragmented corridors or for the last free-flowing river in the Desert Southwest. Life has many obstacles that keep us from being free.
What do you think it would take for the land, waters, wildlife and all of us to be free from a lack of peace, justice, borders and barriers?
I’ve worked with refugees who left everything to seek safety and a better life after gangs forced them off their small, rural family farms. Many were descendants of an ancient culture, and spoke in dialects that took special interpreters to understand. The University of Arizona sponsored linguists who discovered more than 12 ancient Mayan dialects that were not previously known to exist. They endured perilous journeys with only the clothes that they wore on their backs. Some had children with them, others forged on by themselves to friends or family with hopes to rescue their families they had to leave behind. They hired transportation services that included one sandwich, one bottle of water per day, and they had to remove their shoelaces and belts. The adults I met were about 5’ tall, gentle, peaceful, kind, and their children were healthy, happy and gorgeous. Even through the trauma, exhaustion, and uncertainty…I could see their incredible strength, will, and their faith reflected in their compassionate dark brown eyes.
I helped to create and lead “Art y Movemiento” classes where the refugees created on large rolls of paper with colored pens, pencils, and crayons to show the places they were forced to leave. We drew, stretched, danced and sang to release stress and trauma. Every piece of art depicted their love and connection with nature- their small rural farms, trees, mountains, flowers, animals, and their families. When completed, their art was taped to the walls, covering the community room from floor to ceiling. The space was safe and provided a place to transform during monumental change. A public art show was held at a neighboring City Councilman’s office. The refugees’ art was a testimony to their love of their nature-filled land, homes and beautiful lives they had to leave.
What would you do if you were forced to leave your home?
Love in action for endangered species, the environment, our health and well-being- our voices matter
Partnered with The Center for Biological Diversity to help protect endangered species like jaguar and wolves, and protect, conserve and preserve habitats, I led several advocacy events. Groups of people delivered signed petitions to protect species and our wildlands to local offices of Congress people. Our concern about mining, species protections and over development were welcomed and discussions were prompted: “1872 Mining laws were upheld, thanks to Senator Harry Reid’s mining interest”, former Congressman Ron Barber shared with our group. “Greed and politics are a huge part of our problems! More nature, less greed!”, was our plea. He nodded in empathy and acknowledgement. We spoke with local leaders on several occasions and made our views known. I’ve also spoken on the floor at Arizona’s State Capitol, at Mayor and Council meetings and at various Arizona Game and Fish meetings.
More nature, less greed- We are nature and are the change we would like to see
Engagement with something we are passionate about transforms us. Personally, it gives me a sense of connection, that nature and all her beings know that I care, and gives me purpose: to be the change I’d like to see. Whether transformation happens in my life time is not always up to me.
Envision the world you want, and transformation is inevitable, and it may be in it’s own time.
Kairos. kai·ros (ˈ)kī¦räs : “a time when conditions are right for the accomplishment of a crucial action : the opportune and decisive moment.” Kairos’ etymology is Greek, meaning “fitness, opportunity, time; perhaps akin to Greek keirein to cut.”
Diving timing is sometimes challenging, yet it is an invaluable wisdom. It takes pressures off of us. It strengthens trust in a Supreme Intelligence, Creator, Something Greater than Ourselves, God, Allah, Buddha- whatever name is meaningful to you. Know that Higher Laws prevail and relief from life’s pressures and problems have less power in our psyches. Many obstacles, borders and barriers in our lives are out of our control. Do what inspires you, let go and know that you are loved.
You are a child of Something Greater than Ourselves. You are a piece of Peace and Justice.
What if we chose to allow nature to be wild and free, and gave ourselves permission to be wild and free, too?!
You are invited for Freedom, Peace and Justice!
Visit a public Art Show and Event for Peace and Justice, June 21-July 14, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Stop by to say hello, meet, mingle, eat, drink and see my art and poetry inspired by my work in the Southern Arizona. A community unites for peace and justice with art, advocacy, awareness to heal and inspire freedom, evolvement and a better world for all.
For the wildlands in all of us where our connection with nature inhabits health and well-being
About Robin
My work has been featured in several publications, including The Border Report, The Arizona Daily Star, The Arizona Republic, The Journal-News, and other publications; and, I helped inspire a podcast about regenerative farming. My great grandfather was a rural farmer and friends with President Truman and my great aunt babysat his daughter. Another ancestor fought in the American Revolution. My partner, a physicist, Citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and I now own farmland- land that his family has owned since 1902. We have planted hundreds of native trees. My art and poetry are in galleries and art shows in several States.
Loud Hawk, aka “Poet with a Purpose, a freelancer’s mission to Restore Soils and Souls, help reduce harm, increase love in action, inspire and support food-farming-freedom with restoration-conservation of the biota.
In honor of Juneteenth, The Emancipation Proclamation, and freedom, peace and justice for all. Thank you for reading Wildlands!
Share your story!
How did you transform while helping others or when others helped you through a challenging time?
Share your stories of what beckoned you to help make the world a better place? Did you help people, animals…nature….the trinity? What did you do? Did you help raise awareness, inspire and/ or help fix a problem?
Please share what helped transform a situation. Did your experience change you in some way, or in multiple ways? Did someone help you get through a rough time? Or have several people helped you heal?
Do you think nature and animals have rights?
I look forward to hearing about you and your transformational experiences in comments.
Thank you Lovely 🥰🙏🎉
Dear Robin, I had many emotions as I read this, sadness at the experiences of the refugees, the animals, the walls and boundaries. then gratitude for how they are being helped , inspiration from your art , story and show.
I was involved with a lot of community projects, but have been taking time out …I am now thinking or to be more intentional planning to offer community transformation either through yoga workshops or a book Club for non fiction and stuff that matters. Thanks for this and all you do. X