What is your relationship to nature and the outdoors as a POC?
For November’s book club, our theme is Nature and the Outdoors, and we’re thrilled to welcome Aileen Angsutorn Lees, a writer, photographer, and founder of Decolonising The Outdoors —a creative community project dedicated to dismantling narratives of land conquest and resource extraction while centering Global Majority perspectives. With Aileen, we’ll discuss our complex relationship with nature and the outdoors, tainted by violent colonial and imperial realities. Together, we’ll explore ways to reimagine and rebuild our connections to the natural world.
Once again, we are opening up the discussion to books and beyond so feel free to bring music, articles, films, and TV that you feel are great (or horrific) examples of exploring relationships with nature and the outdoors. If you're not sure where to start, read along with "Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals" by Alexis Pauline Gumbs, with Temi. It's available at Lighthouse bookshop (let us know if you'd like a discount code 😌)
There’s an option to donate if you’re able, please consider contributing to show appreciation for the valuable time and effort Aileen is dedicating to share her knowledge with us, as well as to help cover snacks and transport. Your support would mean a lot to us!
This space is specifically for POC readers; allies can support us by attending our next event or donating directly to Saffron Cherry.
Event Details:
DATE - Monday 25th November 6:30-9pm
THEME - 'Nature and The Outdoors'
VENUE - Roots: Globalscope Edinburgh, 9 South College Street, Edinburgh, EH9 9AA
Please note Aileen’s Safer Spaces policy, which applies to this event. We would encourage you to read it so you know what to expect from this space.
Venue Accessibility:
Roots is accessible through a small ramp at the entrance. The event will take place in the front room which is accessible via wheelchair.
There will be hot drinks and snacks at this event so please notify us if you have allergies or dietary requirements.
Face masks are encouraged but we'll have spares on hand if folks forget. Please reconsider attending this event if you feel that you may have been in contact with coronavirus recently - you can always tune in next month!
There is a gender-neutral toilet however it is only accessible via staircase.
See you soon!