The Politics Of Household Management

When The Great Toilet Paper Scarcity happened, I was ready. I already had a working familiarity with Freedom Paper Company. (I learned about them back when my heart was breaking because of the death of Tamir Rice. Here is my convoluted rambling blog about that.) I knew our best way forward was to work towards self-sufficiency and reduced dependence on corporations.

Much of how I manage my household comes from doing my best to honor what I say publicly with my private actions. I still believe much of this revolution will be “women’s work.” In addition, for the past 20 years, I had committed to a strong spiritual practice which included regular meditation and communication with my ancestors. Amazing how it takes a virus for people to become interested in household management. There is so much political wisdom in the ways our grandmother’s kept house.

You’ll remember that many of the Black Panther’s were opposed to WIC and food stamps because they saw the way in which we, as a people, would become dependent on a government that would never have our best interests at heart. They knew our relationship to our environment would change. Gone would be the backyard gardens and the dandelion wine. They were also in communication with members of AIM who spoke of the way in which government food handouts devastated the health and well-being of many an Indigenous Nation.

Have you also noticed that poor Black and Indigenous people have a way of doing things which is filled with power and connection to Nature…