_dungy_soil_187-205

Soil: The Story of A Black Mother's Garden

Author Information

• Author: Camille T. Dungy

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster

• Locations: New York, London, Toronto, Sydney, New Delhi

Chapter Overview

Page 2-3: Post-Election Reflections

• The morning after the 2016 presidential election, the author reflects on the closing of blinds in her home.

• Describes her vibrant garden filled with sunflowers and late bloomers.

• Emphasizes the art and cultural pieces displayed in her home, drawing from African diaspora influences.

• Mentions acts of racism faced by students of color at CSU, including violent confrontations post-election.

• The author's mother seeks protection through prayer for marginalized groups and reflects on societal safety post-election.

Page 4-7: Community and Faith

• The author’s daughter, Callie, engages in church choir activities alongside white peers.

• Joyful church community contrasted with a painful contextual backdrop after the election.

• The pastor's sermon fails to acknowledge the hurtful rhetoric regarding inclusion of marginalized individuals; highlights feelings of exclusion.

• Discusses the historical and ongoing challenges faced by Black individuals in America, drawing parallels to past civil rights struggles.

Page 8-10: The Garden's Symbolism

• Describes the bindweed as a metaphorical representation of societal problems, choking the life out of healthier plants.

• Illustrates careful weeding strategies, reflecting the effort needed to address systemic oppression without exacerbating harm.

Page 11-14: The Deeper Impact of Racism

• Personal anecdote concerning a conversation with a white girl, who struggles to understand the Black Lives Matter movement.

• The author recounts vivid examples of violence against Black people, including the tragic case of Jordan Edwards.

• Shares personal history of her great-grandfather, touching on white privileges and the violent reality of racism.

Pages 15-18: Revelations and Resistance

• Discusses the bindweed's historical significance and connection to America’s systemic racism.

• The author’s reflections relate her gardening struggles to the larger fight against systemic violence and exclusion.

• Retrieves memories of family conversations and community dynamics, reflecting on isolation post-election.

Pages 19-20: Seeds of Change

• Closing thoughts on a child's experience at school amid diversity; a reflection on the state of society.

• The phrase "The World is Changing" chalked at school embodies the uncertainty of childhood experiences in a racially charged landscape.