Dismantling dominant perceptions of what an environmentalist looks like

Mar 25

Sharing his wisdom here is Michael A. Estrada, artist, photographer, writer, and Founder of Brown Environmentalist, also known as BEEN Media.

Hear about how mainstream media narratives on environmentalism have negatively impacted BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), the role art plays in activism, the importance of having a multitude of perspectives from environmentalists of all backgrounds, and more.

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This is a conversation on Green Dreamer Podcast with Kaméa Chayne, a show exploring environmental and intersectional sustainability from ideas to life. Subscribe to Green Dreamer on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or any podcast app and let’s learn what it takes to thrive in every sense of the word!

Highlights

[1:57] What first inspired Michael's love for nature.

[5:10] Kaméa: "What is the role of an artist in environmental activism?"

[6:58] Michael talks about what led him to focus on the environmental experiences of people of color.

[10:26] Michael: "I don't want kids who are growing up to be like, 'I can't be [an environmentalist] because the media hasn't shown me that it's possible, or the media has only shown it this way.'"

[11:16] Michael discusses how common media narratives about environmental activism may have harmed BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color).

[13:06] Michael: "Yes, it's painful. But in that pain, there is also a lot of healing that needs to be done."

[13:58] Michael: "The more stories we have that are being told and actually heard, amplified, and spread out through society, the more people say, 'Oh hey, that person is kind of like me, and the way they are approaching it is something I could do.'"

[15:06] How social media may have created stereotypes of who an environmentalist is.

[20:40] Michael talks about BEEN Media's microgrant program for artists and creators.

[22:43] Michael: "Take the time to do the self-learning and the self-healing work."

References

BEEN Rising Grant

About our Guest

Michael A. Estrada is a first-generation Salvadoran-American (Pipil) artist, photographer, writer, and Founder of Brown Environmentalist, also known as BEEN. With a goal to amplify BIPOC voices using tools that were (and still are) only limited to the few and privileged, he works in many different capacities in the environmental justice movement, from habitat restoration to experiential education.