Nature as a Political Force through a Disabled Storytelling Lens

Nature as a Political Force through a Disabled Storytelling Lens 

To be disabled is to be familiar with the experience of being in flux. Nature itself is also constantly in flux – it grows around us, is wounded by us, is nourished by us, and moves on its own time. Humans have permanently altered nature, and its voice has been increasingly silenced by settler-colonialism and white supremacist slave based capitalism. 

Despite its imposed neutrality and depoliticization – a viewpoint that benefits those who view Nature as a resource to extract – Nature is an autonomous entity to be in relationship with. Under white supremacy and slave based capitalism, bodies as well as nature are resources to extract for wealth. Our current manifestation of politics systematically disenfranchises and disempowers disabled people’s voices. Just like our disabled bodies, nature, too, is political. 

We are inviting disabled artists to be in creative conversation with this concept. To explore the possibilities of a disabled nature or articulate your personal relationship with this idea. 

Disabled artists of any media or creative expression are encouraged to apply for this exhibit. To offer our unique perspective in relation to Nature and our past, present, and future political reality.  Trans and queer black, brown, and indigenous disabled artists from New England will be prioritized in the selection of work for this exhibit. All disabled creatives are welcomed to apply.

Co-Facilitators

Mical, also go by mr j, (they/them/elle) is the Assistant Director and Latine Communities Connector for the Wildflower Alliance’s Wild Ivy Social Justice Network. They are a black queer disabled trans non-binary first generation Afro-Indigenous Kiskeyane (Dominican). They are passionate about re-indigenization, liberation, restorative justice, decolonization, social justice advocacy and centering queer, trans, black, brown, and indigenous communities. 

Lionel Frechette (they/them) works as a part of the Wild Ivy Social Justice Network as the Cross-Disability Communities Connector. Their ultimate dream is to create equity through diverse spaces and strengthen allyship across communities. Lionel believes in giving roses to our communities while we are still here.