Short Wave Fresh Banana Leaves — An Indigenous Approach To Science
Apr 22, 2022
Jessica Hernandez, a Zapotec and Maya Chorti environmental scientist, brings her unique perspective to the conversation. She explores her father's displacement story alongside the critical role of Indigenous knowledge in saving our planet. Hernandez advocates for recognizing the banana tree as a symbol of resilience and connection to the land. She critiques conventional conservation methods, urging a shift towards integrating Indigenous perspectives. The discussion also highlights the Land Back movement, emphasizing Indigenous sovereignty in environmental science.
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Banana Tree Refuge
- Jessica Hernandez's father, a child soldier, found refuge in a banana tree during El Salvador's civil war.
- A bomb dropped on the tree but didn't explode, allowing him to escape and eventually reach the US.
Displaced Relatives
- The banana tree, brought from Asia, is considered invasive.
- Hernandez views it as a displaced relative, highlighting the migratory nature of both plants and people.
Humans and Nature
- Western science and conservation often separate humans from nature.
- Hernandez argues this removal prevents successful land stewardship by those with deep connections to it.
