RFC Visits the Environmental Film Festival

I am excited.

As mentioned in an earlier post, the RFC was in attendance today (represented by me, Natalie) at Richmond's first Environmental Film Festival. I was able to see a wonderful film entitled "Planet Earth: Into the Wilderness," as well as part of a documentary about a bicyclist movement in San Francisco (and around the country) called Critical Mass. However, the most exciting part of the day was listening to a speech by Ralph Nader, who came all the way to Richmond to speak to us about civic action, corporations, and the possibilities of change through exerting influence on the U.S. Congress. Needless to say, I was quite inspired by his call to action. Nader suggested people start their own Congress "watchdog groups," imparting his heartfelt belief that the pursuit of justice can be fun, because it is a means to the achievement of real human liberty. Another point was the need to assert the dominance of the American people over enormous corporations which are simply out of control. However, the most important part of the speech, in my opinion, was Nader's emphasis on inspiration being only one part of the process of change; the real key being perspiration, a continued expenditure of effort and the willingness to keep working until you see success. Nader demanded for us to go out and do something, to assert our role as American citizens and members of a "democracy."

What does this mean for us, members of a local food community and advocates for sustainable agriculture and local economy? Keep eating! Keep supporting the farmers you trust and the small businesses around town like the Belmont Butchery (read our post on the Butchery here). Don't shop at big grocery stores just because it's easy. We at the RFC (and Ralph Nader, we hope!) are there with you, continuing to work towards a change in the way the world sees food and agriculture.

At the end of the speech, Nader signed his newest book, The Good Fight. I have yet to read this book, but it promises to be a "call to awareness and action that will captivate readers of all political stripes." I chatted with Nader for roughly 60 seconds as he signed my book "To Natalie, For Justice," and he told me about a restaurant in D.C. called Busboys and Poets, which includes a dining room, a bookstore, and a 'performance space.' He seemed excited because the restaurant has been "packed," hopefully bringing people together to eat, read, and exchange ideas. Nader certainly seemed receptive when I opined that food is a great way to build local communities. Everyone loves to eat, right? In any case, I was certainly interested to go on an "RFC Travels" venture up to DC to check out a restaurant endorsed by Ralph Nader, and it was an amazing opportunity to speak with him.

In conclusion, the film festival and the Ralph Nader talk were well worthwhile. I hope some of the other members of our food community were also able to make it out to the Byrd theater today, or have a bit of time tomorrow to listen to the other speakers. Environmentalism and the need for civic action are a big part of what motivates me as a consumer and a member of the Richmond community, and I believe I am not alone. I'll close this post the same way Nader closed his speech, with an 'ancient Chinese proverb:' "To know, and not to do, is not to know."