Linda's Blogspot

Echoes of the Triangle: The Rise and Erasure of Santa Monica’s Belmar Neighborhood ​Long before Santa Monica was known for its luxury boutiques and world-famous pier, a vibrant, three-block stretch known as the Belmar Triangle served as the heartbeat of African American life in Southern California. Today, while the physical structures are gone, the legacy of this neighborhood has recently resurfaced as a powerful narrative of resilience, community, and the fight for spatial justice. ​ A Sanctuary by the Sea ​At the turn of the 20th century, Santa Monica was one of the few coastal cities in California where African Americans could establish a foothold. Forced into specific areas by racially restrictive covenants, Black pioneers built a thriving enclave bounded by Pico Boulevard, Main Street, and 4th Street . ​This wasn’t just a residential area; it was a self-sustaining ecosystem. The Belmar Triangle hummed with activity: ​ Entrepreneurship: Businesses like the La Bonita Bathhou...

  The "Hidden" City: The Erasure and Endurance of Black Santa Monica ​ SANTA MONICA, CA — To the casual tourist, Santa Monica is a postcard of palm trees, luxury hotels, and a predominantly white, affluent population. But beneath the surface of the "Silicon Beach" exterior lies the ghost of a vibrant, self-sufficient Black metropolis that was systematically dismantled. From the early 1900s through the 1960s, Santa Monica was home to the oldest and most successful African American seaside settlement in the region—a community that built a "Black Broadway" before the city’s urban renewal projects turned it into a parking lot. ​ The Rise of "Black Broadway" ​Long before the I-10 freeway bisected the city, Broadway (specifically between 14th and 20th Streets) was the heart of a thriving Black middle class. Drawn by jobs at the Douglas Aircraft factory and the allure of the coast, Black families established a "frontier of leisure" and co...

Rhodiola Rosea the Golden Root   -  A WikiExplorers Learning Adventure  Ms. Rivers placed a small illustration of a mountain flower in the center of the table. Its roots reached deep into the earth, while its petals leaned calmly toward the light. “This plant,” she said softly, “is called Rhodiola rosea. It grows in cold, rocky places where life is not easy. Yet it does not complain. It does not hurry. It adapts.” The young WikiExplorers leaned closer. Ms. Rivers continued, “Rhodiola is known as an adaptogen. That means it helps the body remember how to balance itself during stress. But today, I want us to think of it not only as a plant… but as a teacher.” She pointed to the roots in the picture. “Resilience is like growing roots where you are planted. Not resisting the wind. Not fighting the cold. But learning how to stay whole inside of it.” One Explorer raised their hand. “So resilience isn’t about being tough all the time?” Ms. Rivers smiled. “No. True resi...

Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests! In 2008, UNESCO inscribed the Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests as a World Heritage Site. While there are over 50 recognized Kayas along the Kenyan coast, UNESCO specifically protects 11 distinct forest sites (spread across 10 geographical locations) that serve as the primary ritual centers for the nine Mijikenda sub-tribes. ​The term "Mijikenda" literally translates to "Nine Homes" or "Nine Villages," reflecting the nine sub-tribes listed below. ​ The UNESCO Protected Kayas & Their Tribes ​The following table connects the specific UNESCO sites to the sub-tribes that serve as their traditional custodians: The UNESCO World Heritage listing of the Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests highlights 11 specific forest sites that represent the ancestral homes of the nine Mijikenda sub-tribes. ​Here is that information broken down into regular text, organized by the tribes and their respective sacred lands: ​ The Giriama and Kaya Fungo ...

  Both the Ogiek and the Mijikenda, "sacredness" is a functional conservation tool. When a site or species is declared sacred, it is removed from the cycle of exploitation and placed into a system of protection enforced by spiritual taboos and elders. The Living Sanctuaries ​1. Sacred Groves (The Living Sanctuaries) ​ Mijikenda (The Kayas): The Kayas are 10 separate forest sites along the Kenyan coast. Originally fortified villages, they are now "spirit houses" for ancestors. ​ The Taboo: You cannot carry a weapon, harvest green wood, or clear land within a Kaya. This has created "biodiversity islands" where rare plants thrive while surrounding areas are deforested. ​ Ogiek (Sacred Glades): The Ogiek protect specific heavy-canopy areas and "satellite forests" within the Mau Complex. These are used for initiation ceremonies and are strictly off-limits for hunting or temporary shelters. ​ 2. Sacred Plants (The Pillars of Ritual) ​ ...

Ecological literacy the Ogiek and the Mijikenda of Kenya:  Ecological literacy isn't just about studying biology; for indigenous communities like the Ogiek and the Mijikenda, it is a lived philosophy. Their survival has historically depended on a deep, reciprocal relationship with specific ecosystems—the high-altitude forests for the Ogiek and the coastal forests for the Mijikenda.   ​1. The Ogiek: Guardians of the Mau Forest ​The Ogiek are one of Kenya’s last remaining hunter-gatherer groups. Their ecological literacy is centered on the Mau Forest complex.   ​Honey as a Calendar: The Ogiek use the flowering cycles of trees (like the Dombeya torrid) to track seasons. Their "literacy" involves knowing exactly when and where bees will migrate.   ​The Taboo System: They do not clear-cut forests. Instead, they practice "honey-tapping," which requires keeping trees alive. Certain groves are considered sacred, acting as natural conservation zones where hunti...