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Reviews tagging 'War'
Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes through Indigenous Science by Jessica Hernandez
26 reviews
salemander's review
5.0
absolutely amazing !! i’ve seen some critiques about the grammar of this book but like did y’all read chapter 4 ?? she talks in depth about the discrimination against indigenous scientists and researchers who are deemed to not have enough “formal education” (colonial brainwashing) to be published or to work on certain projects. grammar rules are made up and english is a colonists language, who cares!! i also really appreciated how blunt the author was and the repetitive nature of the information. she explained things multiple times from different perspectives to ensure her audience truly grasped the information and as an autistic person it made this book a really easy and very educational read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Colonisation, Violence, Genocide, and Police brutality
eva_e's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
The author, Dr. Jessica Hernandez shares deep knowledge that are rooted in the environment, place, community, and of course, Indigeneity. There is so much heart, brilliance, and responsibility modeled in this book. As a reader, it felt like an honor to hear from her family members as well as community leaders from all over the “Americas”. I really appreciate learning from an Indigenous woman who is active in Indigenous communities (including diasporic) and educational spaces.
I will note that my reading experience was somewhat challenged by repetition and redundancy in Dr.Hernandez’s writing. While I hold some critique for the editing/lack of editing, I also hold some serious inquiry around how much of my perspective and writing preferences have been groomed by colonial schooling, as a non-Indigenous WOC. I remember being TAUGHT (by white teachers) not to be “too repetitive,” and to avoid “over use” of certain words. What’s the limit that makes words “over used”? For me, perhaps, it’s just when the effect gets lost or buried… so I would say, despite my challenge with some of the writing, the writing was still easeful to read, even though the topics on the genocidal and ecocidal violence of colonialism are extremely heavy.
I deeply appreciate learning more about the complexities, history (beyond the euro settlers), and legacies of the peoples and lands of what is now called “Latin America”. As well as the similarities and stark differences of Indigenous Peoples in the settler colonial U.S. And, the information, counter narratives and experiences of IP in the PNW shared was extremely meaningful and motivating for me.
Some of the things I yearned for in the writing were:
- more balance of explanations in defining concepts — some felt overly explained while others, like colonialism or Indigeneity (which were core themes of the book) weren’t really explained.
- acknowledge the presence and impacts of different forms of colonialism (not just settler colonialism)
- allowing some of the quotes to stand on their own without pre-summarizing them and following with another summary or paraphrase after the quote.
- less use of “However” in starting sentences or paragraphs. (Although we can just giggle at that)
I will note that my reading experience was somewhat challenged by repetition and redundancy in Dr.Hernandez’s writing. While I hold some critique for the editing/lack of editing, I also hold some serious inquiry around how much of my perspective and writing preferences have been groomed by colonial schooling, as a non-Indigenous WOC. I remember being TAUGHT (by white teachers) not to be “too repetitive,” and to avoid “over use” of certain words. What’s the limit that makes words “over used”? For me, perhaps, it’s just when the effect gets lost or buried… so I would say, despite my challenge with some of the writing, the writing was still easeful to read, even though the topics on the genocidal and ecocidal violence of colonialism are extremely heavy.
I deeply appreciate learning more about the complexities, history (beyond the euro settlers), and legacies of the peoples and lands of what is now called “Latin America”. As well as the similarities and stark differences of Indigenous Peoples in the settler colonial U.S. And, the information, counter narratives and experiences of IP in the PNW shared was extremely meaningful and motivating for me.
Some of the things I yearned for in the writing were:
- more balance of explanations in defining concepts — some felt overly explained while others, like colonialism or Indigeneity (which were core themes of the book) weren’t really explained.
- acknowledge the presence and impacts of different forms of colonialism (not just settler colonialism)
- allowing some of the quotes to stand on their own without pre-summarizing them and following with another summary or paraphrase after the quote.
- less use of “However” in starting sentences or paragraphs. (Although we can just giggle at that)
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Colonisation, and Genocide
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
I'm glad I read this! Some of the ideas were repeated frequently throughout, but it brings a necessary perspective to environmental science and, more broadly, colonial science and research practices. I can see this being particularly valuable for those working in the sciences today, as the author's discussions on the colonial framework that built conservation and environmental justice movements is a meaningful challenge to contemporary liberal thinking. This is also a helpful read for those (like me!) who are more familiar with North American Indigenous history and writing, as the author's commentary on the political history of Central America and the genocide of Central American Indigenous communities challenge readers to deconstruct our assumptions about "Latinidad." I enjoyed the narration by Stacy Gonzalez and would recommend audio to other readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Genocide, War, Xenophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs
siasprout's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Classism, Xenophobia, and Racism
Minor: War
unsuccessfulbookclub's review
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Extremely important topics and I’m glad Hernandez took this project on… but I wish she had had a better editor. I switched to the audio about 75% through and that was a much better format.
The book has many repeated words (however, oftentimes, continue) as well as repeated sentences. The style feels like someone speaking very informally, so it’s no surprise that the audio just *works better*. Additionally, the way the book is structured with headlines and sub headlines reads like an academic paper or a term paper that one might write. A solid edit could really make the prose on-page shine, and it’s such a shame that the publisher or Hernandez’s agent didn’t get that for her, because in listening to her narrate this book, her voice and style shine, and her passion for the topics she covers comes through very strongly.
I liked the in-depth stories about Central America and the Indigenous people throughout the Americas as well as the multiple intersectional points of view that Hernandez brought to the table. I found Hernandez’s interviews with her family and Indigenous activists valuable and interesting. She covers so many stories and topics that I have never encountered, and this book feels important. Recommended ON AUDIO.
The book has many repeated words (however, oftentimes, continue) as well as repeated sentences. The style feels like someone speaking very informally, so it’s no surprise that the audio just *works better*. Additionally, the way the book is structured with headlines and sub headlines reads like an academic paper or a term paper that one might write. A solid edit could really make the prose on-page shine, and it’s such a shame that the publisher or Hernandez’s agent didn’t get that for her, because in listening to her narrate this book, her voice and style shine, and her passion for the topics she covers comes through very strongly.
I liked the in-depth stories about Central America and the Indigenous people throughout the Americas as well as the multiple intersectional points of view that Hernandez brought to the table. I found Hernandez’s interviews with her family and Indigenous activists valuable and interesting. She covers so many stories and topics that I have never encountered, and this book feels important. Recommended ON AUDIO.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Violence, and War
heydebigale's review
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
5.0
This book explains why western science is failing to protect our land and why we should center the experience of Indigenous people in environmental science.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Racism, and War
risaleel's review
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Colonisation, Gaslighting, Genocide, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Violence, War, and Xenophobia
Minor: Deportation, Child death, and Cultural appropriation
katischr's review
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
A very thorough overview of how the cultures that Dr. Hernandez is a part of view the natural world, the threats they face because of colonialism, and how things can be made better. She shows how many different issues, such as climate, food, political and gender issues all interconnect and tie in to conservation. The writing was a bit jumbled at times but the point still came across.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: War and Xenophobia
onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
katharina90's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This book beautifully summarizes:
-the pervasive settler colonialism and anti-Indigenous racism in areas like academia, environmental sciences and 'conservation' (which includes National Parks--louder for the people in the back!)
-the continued colonization of Indigenous knowledge, from invalidation and erasure to theft and co-optation (especially in academia)
-human supremacist delusion a.k.a. the Western failure/ unwillingness to recognize that we, as human animals, are part of nature and everything is interconnected
-that capitalism commodifies everything, incl. our animal and plant kin, when we should only be taking what we need and live in right relationship
-settler colonial capitalist extraction is why 'conservation' is needed in the first place
Informed by her cultural teachings the author reframes conservation as healing, and non-native invasive species as displaced relatives, amongst many other nuggets of Indigenous wisdom shared so generously in this book.
I love that she calls out the audacity of white people to deride non-native plants when WE brought them to these lands.
As well as the hypocrisy of settlers to imply only native plant species belong here, while failing to apply that same principle to other species.
Meanwhile, the genocide of Indigenous peoples in the Americas is ongoing.
"Due to all the beliefs and value systems colonizers introduced into the Americas, Indigenous rights and land protectors are a threat to every settler government."
LAND BACK.
A livable planet depends on it.
-the pervasive settler colonialism and anti-Indigenous racism in areas like academia, environmental sciences and 'conservation' (which includes National Parks--louder for the people in the back!)
-the continued colonization of Indigenous knowledge, from invalidation and erasure to theft and co-optation (especially in academia)
-human supremacist delusion a.k.a. the Western failure/ unwillingness to recognize that we, as human animals, are part of nature and everything is interconnected
-that capitalism commodifies everything, incl. our animal and plant kin, when we should only be taking what we need and live in right relationship
-settler colonial capitalist extraction is why 'conservation' is needed in the first place
Informed by her cultural teachings the author reframes conservation as healing, and non-native invasive species as displaced relatives, amongst many other nuggets of Indigenous wisdom shared so generously in this book.
I love that she calls out the audacity of white people to deride non-native plants when WE brought them to these lands.
As well as the hypocrisy of settlers to imply only native plant species belong here, while failing to apply that same principle to other species.
Meanwhile, the genocide of Indigenous peoples in the Americas is ongoing.
"Due to all the beliefs and value systems colonizers introduced into the Americas, Indigenous rights and land protectors are a threat to every settler government."
LAND BACK.
A livable planet depends on it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, Genocide, Racism, and War
Minor: Child death, Xenophobia, Confinement, and Deportation