REAL / SYMBOL

In our third and final episode of the Real / Symbol series, we explore how communities are cultivating a collective sense of right to land through real and symbolic acts of defiance, survival and hope. Through conversations with community members, activists, organisers and academics from around the world, we see how this is embodied through…More

In our often enclosed narratives of extraction and profit, we have allowed the logic of capitalism to tell us what’s possible, but our imaginations can and must stretch further. As we listen to the experiences of community members in Shieldfield and beyond, we invite listeners to expand and reimagine our collective responsibilities to the land and to each other through ideas of commons. Drawing on notions of the commons through history, through contemporary protest movements and through work being done in our communities we explore how might tell a different story of our relationship to the land - to tend and care, to caress and cherish it - and to see it as vital to a more life giving and regenerative common life. Contributions from Haley Paxton, Mo Younis, Julia Heslop , Alastair Mcintosh, Luke Devlin, Sheryl Cathey, Ronnie Dougall, Ken Mallon, Val Middleton , Sharon Bousefield, Chris Jones, Al Barrett, Loretta Lees, Gemma Herries, Alison Wilkinson, Lydia Hiorns, Hannah Marsden.More Real / Symbol Episode 2: Land, Place, Roots

In this episode we start at the beginning by exploring how the process of development has deeply affected the neighbourhood of Shieldfield (and neighborhoods like it) and how these processes have caused not just physical displacement but also emotional and spiritual displacement. We also ask you to consider how the processes of development are affecting your community. What are the multiple effects of gentrification where you live ? How is it preventing certain communities from flourishing? How can you call attention to what is happening? Contributors to this episode include Shieldfield residents: Ken, Val, Sharon, Mahamat, Haley, Sheryl, John, Ronnie as well as contributions from Loretta Lees, Chris Jones, Willie James Jennings, Darren McGarvey, Alastair McIntosh, Julia Heslop, Hannah Marsden, Lydia Hiorns, Gemma Herries and Alison Wilkinson.More Real / Symbol Episode 1: Even the trees are being displaced