What is Accessible LearninG and why does it Matter ?
Accessible learning destroys the limitations placed upon society that separate the production of knowledge from people. Those who produce knowledge are often referred to as the Ivory Tower. Most people are excluded from the Ivory Tower to perpetuate systems of class and race. To bridge the gap intentionally created by the Ivory Tower, here is a collection of different medias that we can learn from.
An important factor in considering creating accessible learning is understanding that people learn in different ways. Some are visual learners, while others prefer audio or a formal book. When creating this list, I wanted to emulate the different ways that people have collected and stored knowledge. These lists are incomplete and consistently evolving but it is my form of starting the process.
Gaia’s New Green is a mix of my own research combined with the oral histories of many of my teachers. This manifests in the form of an accessible website to help teach others about the importance of environmental work. Here are a list of media, websites, and other forms of knowledge collection with the same goal of producing accessible knowledge in mind.
Unlocking Our Collective Knowledge
In an age where information is readily available, the self-learner has a wealth of resources at their fingertips. Books and documentaries serve as powerful tools for individuals seeking to expand their knowledge and understanding of seeds, issues of climate change, the culinary industry, and so much more. With an extensive array of topics and perspectives, books offer an in-depth exploration of different narratives, allowing readers to delve into detailed analysis and thought-provoking subjects. Documentaries on this topic brings these subjects to life through vivid visuals and engaging storytelling.
Whether delving into the annals of history, unraveling scientific complexities, or exploring cultural phenomena, the combination of books and documentaries provides a comprehensive and multi-sensory approach to self-learning. Together, they unlock doors to new concepts, inspire critical thinking, and ignite a passion for continuous education. Embracing these mediums empowers individuals to chart their own educational journey, fostering a lifelong love for learning and a deep appreciation for the boundless knowledge waiting to be discovered.
Documentaries that are a must watch
“The Seeds of Vandana Shiva” (2022) [Dir. Camilla and James Beckett]
Available for purchase on Youtube and Prime
“Seed: The Untold Story” (2016) [Dir. Taggart Siegal]
Available for free on Youtube and Tubi
“Kiss the Ground” (2020) [Dir. Rebecca and Josh Tickell]
Available on Netflix
“Counter Space” (2020) [Hosted by Sophia Roe]
Available on Vice News and Tubi
Books from BIPOC authors on different Aspects of the food systems
Agriculture
Black Earth Wisdom: Soulful Conversations with Black Environmentalists by Leah Penniman
Freedom Farmers: Agricultural Resistance and the Black Freedom Movement (Justice, Power, and Politics) by Monica M. White and LaDonna Redmond
Culinary
For the Culture: Phenomenal Black Women and Femmes in Food: Interviews, Inspiration, and Recipes by Klancy Miller
Nonfiction and Activism
Any book written by Dr. Vandana Shiva
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes through Indigenous Science by Jessica Hernandez
Fiction Novels
The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
Podcasts that highlight Environmental Knowledge …
Green Dreamer
Hosted by Kamea Chayne
Available anywhere you enjoy podcasts