Source: FromScratchFarmstead on IG.

*regular people who live off the land because it’s what humans have done for millennia

**christian nationalists and tradwives who are dominating so much of the self-reliance and sustainability conversations with their nasty ass agenda that people are just handing the whole lifestyle over

i would say “let’s take this lifestyle back!” but it was literally never theirs, dammit. they’re just the loudest mfers in the room because they’re so gross that the rest of us don’t even want to admit that we also want to live in a more self-reliant, sustainable, conscious way. we just, you know, don’t want anyone’s rights relinquished about it.

please keep making sourdough, keep breaking ground, keep planting and saving seeds, keep making jelly. these are HUMAN THINGS and they are the things that are going to keep us going in times of scarcity. 

I’m tired of worrying that I might be mistaken for a Mormon when half of these goofballs on the internet aren’t even doing half the work they say they are. I’m going to go ahead and let those people put on a show for their followers, who really just want something to dream about, and while they’re setting up their cameras so they can pretend to gather storebought eggs I’m going to just….keep working hard, keep crocheting, keep learning how to make clothes, continue to mouth off and talk back, and i’m gonna do all of that in a dress and apron if i fucking want to because they do not own those concepts either. 

my grandmother would call homegrown & home cooked meals and preserves and jellies and handsewn this-and-that “making do” because to her, that is just what life is. and no, she doesn’t *have* to do it anymore, but (with the exception of her daily Pepsi which isn’t very Ballerina Farm of her) she lives pretty much the same way she always has. this is a way of life. when did we decide it belongs to the millennial maga girlies on instagram? 

this is so all over the place and i’m sure you’ve stopped reading by now if you ever even started in the first place but essentially, as someone who is a mother with a very strong identity outside of motherhood and enjoys self reliance and sustainability please can we not just hand over the one thing that humans all over the world, every culture, every language have in common straight into the hands of the people who want to use it to maintain and gain power over women, LGBTQIA folks, and anyone who isn’t white? 

Types of Black People to Avoid From a Garveyite Perspective

Marcus Garvey’s teachings emphasize Pan-Africanism, self-reliance, and pride in African heritage. From his perspective, certain mindsets and behaviours among Black people hinder the collective progress of the race. This post outlines the types of individuals Garvey warned against and why their actions conflict with his philosophy.

1. The Self-Hating Negro

Those who lack pride in their African identity or seek to align with oppressive systems instead of embracing their heritage.

2. The Betrayer or Opportunist

People who align with colonial or imperial powers for personal gain, selling out their community in the process.

3. The Idle and Unproductive

Garvey emphasized hard work and self-reliance. Those who perpetuate laziness or refuse to contribute to the community weaken.

4. The Divisive

Individuals who sow discord or prioritize personal grievances over unity.

5. The Apologist for Oppression

Those who excuse or justify racism, colonialism, or exploitation instead of resisting it.

6. The Lackey or "House Negro"

People who serve as tools of oppression within the Black community, often working to uphold systems of exploitation.

7. The Disconnected

Those who neglect the struggles of their brothers and sisters across the African diaspora.

8. The Cynic or Defeatist

Individuals who spread hopelessness and believe liberation is impossible, stifling collective progress.

9. The Assimilationist

Those who reject African culture to assimilate into white-dominated societies, often seeking validation from oppressors.

10. The Colonial-Minded Intellectual

Educated individuals who use their knowledge to support colonial ideologies rather than fight for Black liberation.

11. The Non-Believer in Black Institutions

People who doubt the ability of Black people to build and sustain their own schools, businesses, and organizations.

12. The Religious Misleader

Religious figures who preach passivity and submission rather than encouraging active resistance and empowerment.

13. The Consumer Over Creator

Those who consume from exploitative systems but fail to support Black-owned businesses or initiatives.

14. The Envy-Driven

Individuals who sabotage others out of jealousy rather than celebrate their success as a win for the community.

15. The Perpetual Victim

Garvey believed in resilience and empowerment, not adopting a victim mindset that leads to inaction.

16. The Uninformed or Ignorant

People who refuse to educate themselves on African history, culture, or the realities of systemic oppression.

17. The Political Sellout

Politicians or leaders who prioritize personal power over the well-being of their people.

18. The Violent Toward Their Own

Garvey emphasized unity. Those who harm or exploit their own people weaken the community.

19. The Materialistic

Individuals who prioritize wealth and status over collective liberation.

20. The Fearful or Complacent

Those who fear challenging systems of oppression or accept the status quo.

21. The "Divide and Conquer" Advocate

People who promote tribalism, colourism, or internal divisions that undermine unity.

22. The Global Isolationist

Garvey believed in global solidarity. Ignoring the struggles of Africans worldwide weakens the movement.

23. The Culturally Oblivious

Individuals who neglect the preservation of African culture, language, and traditions.

24. The Misguided Activist

Those who harm liberation movements through counterproductive or extreme methods.

25. The Short-Term Thinker

People who focus on immediate gains without considering the long-term impact on future generations.

26. The Hypercritical Without Action

Critics who offer no solutions or refuse to contribute to progress.

27. The Neglectful Parent

Parents who fail to instill pride, education, and self-reliance in their children.

28. The Exploiter or Disrespecter of Black Women

Garvey emphasized the importance of both men and women in building a strong and self-reliant community. Those who exploit or disrespect Black women cause deep harm to the entire movement.

29. The Perpetrator and Promoter of Negative Stereotypes of Black Men and Women

Those who perpetuate negative stereotypes harm the collective image and self-esteem of Black people.

Examples of Harmful Stereotypes:

Stereotypes About Black Men: Promoting images of Black men as inherently violent, hypersexual, lazy, or criminal. These narratives contribute to societal discrimination and the dehumanization of Black men.

Stereotypes About Black Women: Reinforcing depictions of Black women as angry, overbearing, promiscuous, or unworthy of respect. These stereotypes undermine the dignity of Black women and lead to real-world harm.

Why This Conflicts with Garveyism:

Garvey called for the upliftment of the entire race, which includes challenging racist caricatures and media portrayals. Promoting stereotypes reinforces systemic oppression, fosters self-hatred, and fractures community unity.

"We must canonize our own heroes, create our own martyrs, and glorify our own symbols," Garvey said, urging Black people to celebrate their greatness instead of internalizing harmful narratives.

30. The Doubter of Pan-Africanism

Rejecting the idea of a unified global African identity weakens collective strength.

31. The Glorifier of Interracial Relationships Over Their Own Race

Individuals who prioritize dating outside their race, often due to internalized racism or disdain for their own community, undermine racial solidarity and family structures.

32. The Denier of African Heritage

Those who reject their African roots or refuse to identify as part of the African diaspora, fostering division and rejecting the foundation of Pan-Africanism.

33. The Disrespecter of Black Men and Boys

Individuals who belittle, demean, or fail to support Black men and boys contribute to the weakening of the community.

34. The Uninformed or Ignorant

Garvey strongly believed in education and the power of knowledge. Black people who remain ignorant about their history, culture, and the systems that oppress them harm the movement.

Why This Conflicts with Garveyism:

Ignorance weakens collective strength by promoting misunderstanding, inaction, and misplaced priorities. Education is a tool for liberation, and those who refuse to seek knowledge risk falling prey to manipulation and exploitation.

35. The Believer in Pseudo Subjects and History

Garvey valued accurate knowledge and warned against false ideologies or distorted versions of history.

Examples of Pseudo Subjects:

False Histories: Believing in fabricated or distorted versions of African history that lack historical evidence.

Pseudo-Sciences: Embracing unscientific or baseless theories about health, biology, or spirituality.

Why This Conflicts with Garveyism:

Pseudo subjects distract from the real work of liberation, confuse the community, and undermine credibility. Garvey’s philosophy calls for rooting oneself in truth and using knowledge as a foundation for empowerment

In Garvey's Words:

"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots."