Camille T. Dungy, author, discusses gardens as a means of social control and conformity. They explore the complexity of the relationship between Black Americans and nature, subtle exclusionary behavior, creating a garden bed as a reflection of grief, and the challenges of balancing motherhood and writing.
Gardens can be a form of social control and conformity, but also a symbol of freedom and solidarity that spans generations.
The traditional notions of beauty and aesthetics in gardening need to be challenged to create spaces that support biodiversity and non-human ecosystems.
Deep dives
Learning patience through gardening
The book explores the importance of patience in various aspects of life, including gardening, motherhood, and anti-oppression work. The author reflects on how the process of gardening taught her the value of patience and the need to trust the natural progression of things. She also discusses how being patient with oneself is crucial in the process of learning and growth.
The complex relationship between gardens and social order
The book delves into the history of gardens and how they have been used to reinforce social order and exclusion in certain communities. The author shares her experiences with homeowners associations and strict regulations regarding yard maintenance. She questions the traditional notions of beauty and aesthetics in gardening and highlights the importance of creating gardens that support biodiversity and non-human ecosystems.
Challenging traditional representations of writers
The author challenges the traditional image of the solitary, male writer in nature and explores the inclusion of diverse experiences in nature writing. She questions the expectation of writers to be isolated from their families and responsibilities, sharing examples of writers who include their families in their experiences and observations. She emphasizes the importance of representing different perspectives, particularly in environmental literature.
The power of vulnerability and the role of community
The author highlights the significance of vulnerability and honesty in writing, particularly in sharing personal growth and learning experiences. She discusses the importance of having a supportive community, such as her WhatsApp friendship group, where she can have conversations, ask questions, and challenge preconceptions. The author emphasizes the value of patience in creating meaningful change, both personally and societally.
At a superficial level, Soil is a gardening memoir, full of gorgeous descriptions of plants and getting your hands in the soil. But the garden in question is a political gesture, an act of resistance and an assertion of belonging. Camille T. Dungy uproots the staid monoculture of the suburban garden, and takes a fierce, critical look at its assumptions.
In this conversation, we talk about the way that gardens can become a means of social control and conformity, but also an expression of freedom and solidarity that crosses generations. We also touch on the idea of outsidership, and the difference between choosing to stay at the edges, and being forced out of the centre.
Katherine's new book, Enchantment, is available now: US/CAN and UK