What does freedom mean today?
Freedom has always been a hotly debated topic in the “Free World,” and 2020 was no exception with protests raging over our policing and criminal justice systems and a smattering of government mandates taking away liberties to slow the spread of coronavirus, so what does freedom mean? What does it look like in today’s world? And how can we achieve it?
At Saoirse Learning Center (named for the Irish word meaning freedom), we believe that freedom means living off your own land and labor without debt. Does that sound like an antiquated pipe dream to you? It’s not. We’re doing it–and we can show you the way.
Before we get into that, we first want to take a quick look at how our institutions take away our freedom. Along with many other privileged white folk, we have been learning a lot lately about the institution of racism* and the many ways in which it takes freedom away from black people, but today we want to specifically focus on the institutions of construction, utilities, and food production. These three institutions take freedom away from all of us by wreaking havoc on our environment and our health, and dictating the way we live.
*If you want to join us in learning more about institutional racism and what you can do to become a better advocate for the black community, we recommend you check out The Great Unlearn.
Construction is said to consume HALF of the world’s natural resources, and leaves a massive trail of carbon emissions in its wake. By imposing zoning and planning laws and requiring the use of certain construction methods and toxic building materials (like lead and asbestos), which are often expensive and inefficient, the construction industry has taken away our freedom to build our own homes.
Utilities, like coal-fired power plants, have had a similar track record of harming our precious earth and our communities, especially those of color. Reliance on public water has proven to be dangerous as we’ve witnessed irreversible damage being done to children across the US from lead poisoning.
Food Production en masse is responsible for the unhealthy diets that lead to cancer and heart disease, the top two killers of people in the U.S. Agriculture, a major subset of food production, not only perpetuates modern slave labor, but is also the #1 source of greenhouse gas emissions.
Okay, we get it, our modern institutions cannot be trusted to do the right thing. So, what can we do to break free of these unjust institutions and work within our own communities to take back our health and our planet?
Step 1: BYO Low-Cost Sustainable Home
The first step to taking your freedom back is to build your own low-cost sustainable home. A timeless and innately human tradition, building your own home creates a deep appreciation for your dwelling as well as the nature that surrounds it.
Historically a community affair, building your own home is always easier with more hands, so calling in friends and family to help is always a good idea. Plus, relationships that have bonded through the cooperative creation of something so personal and vital as your home will provide their own type of nourishment and sustenance throughout your life.
So how does one actually go about building a sustainable low-cost home? Well, as with most things, the options are endless! At Saoirse, we allow people to experience what it’s like to dwell in various tiny home styles, and we offer hands-on opportunities for guests to learn how to construct their own.
We love experimenting with different construction styles, methods and materials, and while we love our tiny home trailer and adorable set of micro cabins, our favorite tiny dwellings of all are dome homes. We hosted our first dome building workshop earlier this year and we are gearing up for a dome home finishing workshop happening in October, after which we will be able to rent out our dome to guests!
Step 2: Invest in Personal Energy Systems
Investing in systems that increase our sustainability like solar-, wind- and hydro- power instills an innate confidence in our ability to face the unknown. This type of freedom lends itself to a greater awareness of our use of these resources and a greater sense of peace, knowing it is something we have some level of control over.
Stay tuned for a deeper dive on personal energy systems!
Step 3: Grow and Source Food Locally
Grocery store foods are packed with processed foods that diminish our bodies. Of course, not all food from the grocery store is bad for us, but even the healthy ones generally come from far away from the store in semi-trucks and shipping containers, which are major contributors to climate change.
Not only that, but we humans develop a deep appreciation for food when we grow it ourselves. The process of planting and nourishing the plant as it grows makes us feel more connected with our food and more cognizant of what we are putting in our bodies. Let’s face it, “caring” makes us better people!
In recent years, community gardens, CSAs (crop share agreements) and farmer’s markets have thankfully become much more prevalent. If you can’t grow or produce your own food at home, ask around or do some googling to see what other sustainable options are available in your area!
Keep your eyes peeled for future blog posts about permaculture.