Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of posts recounting my experience at Justice Begins With Seeds, an anti-GMO conference held one month ago in San Francisco.
A few days before the start of a powerful summit to strategize against the proliferation of GMO’s, international eco-activist, feminist, and scientist, Vandana Shiva came to give a talk.
And she did just that. She spoke.
She spoke about the health risks of GMO’s. She explained the legal dilemma, the criminal injustice against small farmers in America and Canada. She told the stories of small peasant farmers in India who fell victim to the lies propagated by large agri-corporations like Monsanto – the mantra that more pesticides and more fertilizer meant more yield. The chemicals they had to buy put them into persistent debt. When the debt grew too great, they lost their land to the company. These small farmers would come home, brokenhearted, and drink the chemical that poisoned their fields. So far, 250,000 Indian farmers have killed themselves. That number continues rising today. Some reports say one suicide occurs every half an hour.
There is no pizzaz in Shiva’s words, but pure truth. There’s a glimmer in her eye, a certain glitter sprinkled through the energy of her truth, but this is no pep talk.
Still, her spirit remains hopeful and loving. She somehow knows that you have more power than you realize. Monsanto is scared of you, she says. That is the very reason why they go to great lengths to hush up the bad press surrounding GMO’s. If you knew the truth – if everyone knew, Monsanto’s power would simply crumble.
If you have seen Vandana Shiva speak in film or TV appearances, her attitude never changes. Her voice, values, and position are always crystal clear. She never over-glorifies or understates, she very simply tells it like it is. Such clarity is piercing. Her essence is a concentrated ball of white light, empowering all those who listen deeply to her words.
Monsanto spies hid in the bushes outside a Biodiversity Conference, but they didn’t stop those people from continuing their work. They haven’t stopped Vandana Shiva from speaking out, either. Her work keeps going strong today.
Though the attending audience was noisy, chatty, and incredibly disruptive, I soaked in everything she had to say. I soaked in her energy, her core values, and little did I know, a seed was planted.
Dr. Shiva and her organization are releasing an updated report, “A Global Citizens Report on the State of GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) — False Promises, Failed Technologies”. Celebrate the West Coast launch on October 13, 2011:
- 12:00 noon, Press conference in San Francisco City Hall.
- 7:00pm to 9:00pm, at the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center.
Contact the California Biosafety Alliance for more information.
For more information on GMO’s and to take action, check out these amazing organizations:
- Non-GMO Project
- Center for Food Safety
- Institute for Responsible Technology
- Food and Water Watch
- Food Democracy Now!
- Label GMO’s
- Right2Know March
If we all opened our eyes . . . what a wonderful world we could create.
Yes! Thanks, Nancy!
You are very lucky to have seen such a strong and passionate woman speak about such an important topic. Thank you for writing such a powerful post about the issues surrounding GMOs. The number of Indian farmers that have killed themselves over the large debt they incurred is astounding and frightening.
How can the Monsanto people sleep at night? Thank you Lynn for linking to my piece on GMOs and for helping to spread the word on how truly devastating they are.
Thanks, Lori! I feel very lucky to have been able to attend her talk and this conference. It was truly a special experience. I don’t know how Monsanto is okay with the rising number of farmer suicides. How could they have so little soul? Zero empathy whatsoever. It is truly terrifying what they are willing to do.
I have seen her in a few documentaries, and was moved by her clarity, her love for people, for the soil, the earth and the life giving properties of this planet. She seems to smile when she speaks, drawing you in. I would have loved to see her in person.
Maybe those occupying WallStreet should add “Monsanto” to their list of corporations that they are taking a stand against! Unfortunately, this issue of GMOs does not seem to be widely known, or talked about in the mainstream. Thanks for spreading the truth!
She definitely smiles when she speaks, sort of saying, “I’m telling you this because I care, because it’s important. I don’t want to put you off or frighten you, but this is the truth.” I have known about GMO’s for a long time, so I often assume many people know about it. But that doesn’t seem to be the case, as you point out! Most people aren’t aware of what Monsanto is doing!
I’m jealous, Lynn, I would love to see her speak in person!
What’s scares me is how many people still know nothing about GMOs. I’m not talking about people in developing countries with other, more immediate concerns. I’m not talking about people in countries with crazy censorship. I’m talking about our neighbours right here in Canada and the US! We need to help everyone find out how frightening chemical inputs are, how flawed the food system is, how inflated big agri-corporations’ power is, and what a terrible price we are going to pay… or are already paying.
I’m sure you’ll get a chance at some point! She’s coming to SoCal in November. Maybe she’ll travel up to Canada at some point in the near future. Seems like she’s on a mission to spread the word throughout North America right now. I’m amazed too that few people really know about this topic! I guess I learned about it many years ago, so I almost feel like it’s a well-known thing, like pesticides. But it seems that really isn’t the case. The best we can do is to keep talking about it and try to band together with like minds! Thanks for the input!
Pingback: Justice Begins With Seeds: The Magic Begins | Upcycled Love
Lynn – congrats on attending such an awesome sounding conference. Venanda Shiva is an inspiration to us all. We have to be grateful for people such as her, tireless but also loving but also realistic and centered.
Thanks, Ali! Yes, Vandana Shiva is an inspiration to everyone! There’s so much we can learn simply from her presence.
Pingback: Justice Begins With Seeds: A People's Movement | Upcycled Love
Pingback: Justice Begins With Seeds: A Tapestry of Global Family | Upcycled Love
Lynn,
We all need powerful role models and especially love seeing a powerful woman highlighted on your blog! It makes me excited to hear how her voice, values, and position are always crystal clear. Thank you!
Definitely! I’m starting to see my role models. I see them as life guides
I am very much drawn to powerful women (and men) who are incredibly compassionate and grounded in clarity. Thanks for your supportive comment 