I love to travel, but whether I am traversing the mountains and shores of New England or traveling abroad, I always return to the Valley with renewed appreciation of its natural beauty and local culture.
It’s a gift to feast on the bounties of so many local farms, while also enjoying the restaurants, recreational opportunities, and entertainment venues worthy of a big city. Since the presidential election, however, I am more grateful than ever to live in such a progressive community that exists in stark contrast to the political landscape that seems to stretch across so much of the United States.
Sociologists have described a dual perspective in which people exist in two environments. Nurturing family environments stand apart from the outside world, often referred to as the sustaining environment, where people work, shop, socialize, and carry on life activities. Ideally, human beings are treated with dignity in both the nurturing and sustaining environments.
However, for those from marginalized groups, the sustaining environment often feels anything but nurturing. A former colleague from Jamaica shared how she taught her teenage son to keep himself safe if stopped by the police. As a privileged white person, I have never had to prepare my child to face the reality of being targeted because of something as ludicrous as skin color.
My friend constantly worried about how her son would fare in the outside world, where the dominant culture viewed black men as dangerous. The nurturing environment of her son’s family gave him self-esteem, but elements of racism in the sustaining environment threatened to undo his self-confidence and stifle opportunities.
President-elect Trump’s words and tweets have widened the gap between the nurturing and sustaining environments. Those of us who felt protected by privilege are turning to our nurturing environments to help us prepare to deal with anticipated challenges to our liberties. In the words of many who have lived with discrimination, “Welcome to my world.”
I live in a bubble. When I return to the Valley, I return to an environment sustained by progressive values. I can comfortably drink my cup of coffee at the Haymarket Café, knowing that all their staff are paid a minimum of $15 per hour, thanks to Peter Simpson’s decision to raise prices, eliminate tips and pay his employees a living wage.
Though the local growing season doesn’t afford the opportunity to buy local berries at this time of year, River Valley Co-op’s boycott of Driscoll’s berries, teaches the importance of honoring the human rights of those who grow our food.
The Valley is home to national social justice organizations, including the National Priorities Project, which is “fighting for a U.S. budget that works for all Americans,” and Verité, which advocates for humane working conditions for workers all over the world.
The Pioneer Valley Workers Center advocates for the rights of local workers, and, in an anti-immigrant climate, in the sanctuary city of Northampton police won’t question or report immigration status.
The Valley is home to an interfaith network of churches, synagogues and a mosque that welcomes everyone, and organizes to alleviate suffering locally and globally. Our community provides sustenance against hate, and though we’re far from perfect, we don’t remain silent in the face of oppression.
President Obama warned in his farewell speech that “we must not retreat into our bubbles.” Our local communities have nurtured and sustained us, strengthening us to rise up to defend democracy. Recognizing the responsibilities that go with privilege, this area is alive with organizing efforts.
Those who attended the “Fight for Freedom” forum Dec. 19, sponsored by the Northampton Democratic City Committee, experienced the strength and leadership of a community preparing itself to actively defend our neighbors and act against fascism. Neighborhoods have been organizing activist groups to hold our leaders accountable.
Discussions about sanctuary have permeated faith-based and higher education organizations. While the president-elect speaks of closing our borders, hundreds of local people have created “circles of care” to support the 51 refugees who were offered refuge by the city of Northampton.
Local organizations like the American Friends Service Committee are organizing response teams, offering training about how to be an “upstander” rather than a bystander when witnessing incidents like bullying and instruction in civil disobedience.
Groups are holding rallies, marches, vigils, and sending buses to Washington, D.C., Boston and New York City for the Women’s March. Five College faculty are engaged in a fight to uphold reason, science, and liberal arts education. We have heeded the words of President Obama: “If something needs fixing, lace up your shoes and do some organizing.”
I’ve noticed a sign sprouting on the lawns of Valley residents. Its words proclaim in Spanish, Arabic, and English, “No Matter Where You are From, We’re Glad You’re Our Neighbor.” Welcoming words from a welcoming community.
We must persevere to preserve all that makes this Valley strong, and take our fight for freedom beyond western Massachusetts.
Sara Weinberger, of Northampton, is a professor emerita of social work and writes a monthly column.