Can We Treat This World With Respect

Are humans and the creations of the earth compatible? Do humans take more from the world than give? These questions are constantly asked by the concerned, worried, and curious. Humans are called many names like greedy, evil, and selfish. Obviously, right off the back, you would say, “Yes, humans are destructive.” However, a person would answer this question from their perspective of if the good people do outway the bad. I believe it’s so easy for us to categorize all humans and say we just take things from the earth. We don’t think about those who give back, and many people do it’s just not talked about enough. Partly because it isn’t what people want to hear or it’s not what they’re interested in. So many people do good for this earth, whether to fight climate change or to do something small like save an animal that was hurt. Even though it was a small deed, it made a difference, and people seem to overlook things like that. An effort is an effort no matter of small or big it is; you doing something is making a difference. 

“On one side of the world, there were people whose relationship with the living world was shaped through Skywoman, who created a garden for the well-being of all;  On the other side was another woman with a garden and a tree. But for only tasting its fruit, she was banished from the garden…”(Kimmerer 7). Skywomans story is about working with the environment around her to create lands and beyond for not just her but for the animals and nature around her. Her story has a deeper meaning about teamwork and the gift of giving back: “Moved by the extraordinary gifts of the animals, she sang in thanksgiving and then began to dance”(Kimmerer 4). Her experience is described as graceful, comforting, and harmonious as it was peaceful. However, on the other hand, Eve’s story has a different take. Eve went away at her temptations and disobeyed gods wishes as she took from the land and was punished. The tree she ate from had the fruit of the forbidden tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eve’s experience can be perceived as unlucky or “received the short end of the stick.” Even though I disagree with the harsh punishment, she still disobeyed a set of rules in which she was warned about and received what was necessary to God.

Skywoman and Eve’s stories do have similarities that are important to compare and analyze. It’s important to understand that they were both alien to earth but had made their way to this world. Although Skywoman did fall accidentally, they are still both put on the same earth. I find it interesting how they are both women, which I also think feeds into the role of mother nature, considering that both stories tie into the creation of nature. However, their instructions were different regarding how they would each use their gifts. Skywoman asked how she could repay the Earth like she was indebted to nature and to be a guide for people and lead them in the right direction. Eve was told to earn her bread by the sweat of her brow. 

These stories that have been told need to be cherished and continued to be passed down through generations because of the value and message they have. Eve’s story, in my opinion, teaches about the right and wrongs of your actions. It teaches about self-control as she had led into temptation. The bible or book of genesis teaches a lot about morals, as how the indigenous people’s story, "Skywoman,” has more of a message that doesn't make you feel frightened. The Bible has a way of scaring people into believing that if they do a wrongful deed or sin, then they have to repent for their sins. They make it clear that you will be sentenced to eternal hell if you don’t. That would scare many into believing, but skywoman doesn’t do that. The story is so warm and peaceful that just reading it is enough to make you want to do the right thing. It makes you want to help others and be mindful of the things you do without following fear. Stories like these need to be forever kept and taught.

We live in a world where there are a lot of conflicts. There’s either this way or that way in arguments or disagreements. Often times a compromise isn’t wanted or met because people always want their way. If we continue to live like this, then no, I don’t think it will end well. There needs to be an equal playing field for those of care and don’t care. Maybe there already is and we don’t know it, but I’m hoping that if there is, we bring more awareness to this topic as it needs to be discussed. Politics especially need to take acts of climate change and the damages we’ve done to this world seriously because they control so much but are constantly worried about who has the biggest military. We need to act on this before there isn’t a world to even care for anymore.