April 9th
I came into HSU the semester that Trump
was elected into the presidential office, and I graduated from the comfort of
my bedroom, living in sorrow for the lives taken by the Coronavirus. A lot of
beautiful and ugly things happened between those four perfect years of my life,
and now more than ever, I trust and know myself like never before.
Environmental Studies sweeps me off my
feet with the overwhelming amount of information on politics, society,
technology, indigenous studies, and engineering. My soul was guided into this
major, not only because I am a very social being who thrives off conversation (
they don’t call me Gabi for nothin’!) but because I was naive about the reality
that is molded by modern day- Western philosophy. From imperialism to decolonization,
we are taught that the very framework of society is shaped around globalization
and specifically in the U.S., a settler colonial landscape. We unpack words and
interpretation of what it means to be limited by our cultures and how we
personally hold the essence of changing politics for the better. Environmental
Studies taught me too many things to write in a letter to people who must learn
for themselves, but I will say that ENST is about agency- about the realization
to rise up to the emergence that is your most receptive, decisive, honest &
loving self. Here, we know that the Environmental
Crisis is not a natural problem,
but a humxn created phenomenon of capitalistic greed. Most of all, we learn to
love each other outside of the classroom, to gather and play music, cook food,
and grow into ourselves- together.
I have been putting this letter off
because I knew I would cry, and of course this sentence ignites my liquified
eyes, but none of this matters if I do not pass on the importance of engaging with
ENST like your life depends on it. A place where we explore uncomfortable
conversations so we may educate our families and peers, students in this major
get by with their voice, and if they are quiet people, with their artistic
word.
ENST is shaped to tailor towards the
individual student in a way that opens them to the world on their own path.
With personable teachers and advisors, no one is left behind. I found my
passion for my Irish heritage through this major because we do a lot of
reflecting on our natural and already blooming characteristics. I did a
research poster project about the symmetry between Britain's settler
colonization of Ireland and North America alike. I was able to explore my
calling to feel my roots and even did mock job hunts for careers in Ireland. I
also was able to explore a more seemingly relevant aspect of my life as a
caretaker. My little brother has Autism and I have worked for supportive living
agencies throughout my time in Humboldt, so I have explored the levels of teaching
disabled children after college. In sum, I have realized the importance of
family and love in my life, for without it, life can feel isolating and random.
I speak of emerging into myself through
heritage and supportive living work because these are the sorts of things we
understand as we grow into adults who can make a positive influence on the
world. Being an environmental studies student is about being saturated in
awareness of positionality. To explore the truth of the unequal distribution of
environmental harms on different communities and cultures in order to develop
skills on how to address these conversations and actions in our daily lives.
Finishing college could not be more of a
mixture of feelings- I half want to stay in the comfort of classrooms and
university events, and half want to run as fast as I can out of the school
institution which I’ve known intimately for seventeen years. I am torn into a
million pieces but must remain grounded in the one thing that I can count on-
change. Life goes on, and we must honor the experiences which shape us and make
room for more. Being a graduate means that the reality of being an economical
citizen is more prevalent than ever before, but it also means I can create my
own schedule and have the opportunity to travel the world. We all have dreams,
but what more are they if we do not reach for them? Purely said, life is worth
living and is a beautiful strange occurrence at that.
To be frank(ie), here is some of my
advice for ENST majors:
- Go to all of
your classes unless there is a logical reason not to
- Go to all of
the parties, bon fires, community events, concerts, city hall meetings,
protests, and friend’s houses you can- it’s worth your time to get to know
a sense of place, I promise.
- Build a
couple lifelong friendships.
- Try some new
things and substances.
- Everything
is done best in moderation, even moderation.
- Read Emergent Strategy by Adriennee Maree
Brown before it is assigned to you- you will thank me for this.
- Do all the
homework you mentally can, but some is okay to skip.
- Get involved
in student politics, we shape the university (It took me three years to
realize I needed to be the Associated Student’s Environmental
Sustainability Officer).
- Follow your
gut, then your heart, and your head (also your root, sex drive, voice, and
spirit.)
- Do the right
thing, there is always enough time for the right thing.
- Make art, it
will keep you sane. (So I got a music minor focused on drumming and Irish
fiddling!)
- You’re a person first, a student second,
and an advocate third.
- Dance/Sing/be you like no one is watching
- Take road trips- to know the area and
people is to know the history.
- Fall in love. (with you, him, her,
them..)
- Forgive yourself so that you may move
forward.
- Take nothing
for granted, especially the trees- Protect them.
- Watch this documentary, it is relevant to
Humboldt and ENST in so many ways: Who Bombed Judi Bari? By Darryl Cherney
- Be human
with your professors, they are people too.
- Always remember, this too will pass.
Lastly, I request you ask yourself this as many times throughout your
college experience as you remember- write it down:
Who are you now and who do you want to be when you graduate?
Peace and Love,
Gabrielle/ Brelly/ Gabi/ Red.
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