Yacouba Sawadogo is an exceptional man – he single-handedly managed to solve a crisis that many scientists and development organizations
could not. The simple old farmer’s re-forestation and soil conservation
techniques are so effective they’ve helped turn the tide in the fight
against the desertification of the harsh lands in northern Burkina Faso.
Over-farming, over-grazing and over population have, over the years,
resulted in heavy soil erosion and drying in this landlocked West
African nation. Although national and international researchers tried to
fix the grave situation, it really didn’t really make much of a
difference. Until Yacouba decided to take matters into his own hands in
1980.
Yacouba’s methods were so odd that his fellow farmers ridiculed him.
But when his techniques successfully regenerated the forest, they were
forced to sit up and take notice. Yacouba revived an ancient African
farming practice called ‘zai’, which led to forest growth and increased
soil quality.
He says that KKK members have many misconceptions about black people, which stem mostly from intense
brainwashing in the home. When the Klansmen get to know him, he says, it
becomes impossible for them to hold on to their prejudices. He
explains:
This Klansman and I were riding around in my car and the
topic of crime came up. He made the remark that all black people had a
gene that makes us violent. I said ‘Gary, what are you talking about?’
He said ‘Who’s doing all the shootings?’ I said ‘let me tell you
something, I am as black as anyone you’ve ever seen and I’ve never done a
drive by or a shooting.’ After a time I said ‘you know, it’s a fact
that all white people have within them a gene that makes them serial
killers. Name me three black serial killers.’ He could not do it. I said
‘you have the gene. It’s just latent.’ He said ‘well that’s stupid’ I
said ‘it’s just as stupid as what you said to me.’ He was very quiet
after that and I know it was sinking in.
The thing that’s interesting about this is, if you read up on how he does it… The big thing is that he listens to them and lets them say their stupid shit. He sometimes argues with them, but he also lets them talk about stuff and ask questions, and guess what, it works.
Guy’s got >20 sets of klan robes in his closet that people have sent him when they decided to quit the Klan.
This guy is a great example of why I think being polite to people you think are wrong is an effective strategy.
!!!!!!! THIS IS SO IMPORTANT THAT IT’S GOING ON MY MAIN BLOG
This feels important again. I’d rather spread this amazing guy’s words than add my own.
(the full article looks clickbaity but it’s super worth a read!!)
“Alana Quick is the best damned sky surgeon in Heliodor City, but repairing starship engines barely pays the bills. When the desperate crew of a cargo vessel stops by her shipyard looking for her spiritually advanced sister Nova, Alana stows away. Maybe her boldness will land her a long-term gig on the crew.
But the Tangled Axon proves to be more than star-watching and plasma coils. The chief engineer thinks he’s a wolf. The pilot fades in and out of existence. The captain is all blond hair, boots, and ego … and Alana can’t keep her eyes off her. But there’s little time for romance: Nova’s in danger and someone will do anything–even destroying planets–to get their hands on her.”
Jacqueline Koyanagi was born in Ohio to a Japanese-Southern-American family, eventually moved to Georgia, and earned a degree in anthropology with a minor in religion. Her stories feature queer women of color, folks with disabilities, neuroatypical characters, and diverse relationship styles, because she grew tired of not seeing enough of herself and the people she loves reflected in genre fiction. She now resides in Colorado where she weaves all manner of things, including stories, chainmaille jewelry, and a life with her partners and dog.
o human star is scifi and gay and one of the mcs is trans
go get a roomie is a comc made up of four page strips and it’s so good (the first like 3 chapters are mostly lesbian sex jokes but eventually there’s a plot)
nomad-hermit 