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Article 2/28/07 |
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Interview
with a BFC Volunteer, February 2007 |
Before I answer your questions I would like to tell you
a little about me. I studied biology at Towson State
University for 2 years. I was in the Navy for 2 years.
I also taught the Business and Computer course at TESST
College of Technology for 4 1/2 years.
I spent the majority of my life in Baltimore, MD. Baltimore
is a major metropolitan area and has a high crime rate.
I knew nothing of activism or the struggle to help save
our wilderness areas and wildlife. I have a unique point
of view when it comes to activism because I spent so many
years outside of this environment. I've been a volunteer
at the B.F.C. for 4 months. Before that I worked with
MaryPIRG, which is a grassroots organization that raises
money for several different environmental causes.
After I finish this season with the B.F.C. I will be working
with inner-city youth again, teaching at a wilderness
school. I will be teaching a backpacking and canoing course
with Great Hollow Wilderness school. I've always had a
love for backpacking and canoing and look forward to educating
youth about the outdoors. I will be returning to B.F.C.
at the beginning of hunting season this Nov. again.
Interview:
1. Please tell me how and why you became an activist?
I joined the B.F.C. because I have an earnest desire to
save the planet, and I have no idea how to go about doing
that. Activism in general and organizations like the B.F.C.
are actively in the field watching and documenting events
that have global affects. In the case of the B.F.C. we
are doing what we can locally, nationally and internationally
to protect the last wild "free roaming" buffalo
in the U.S.A.
2. What sustains you as an activist?
I believe that what I'm doing is good. It's as simple
as that. It's hard to work, with computers or in the business
world, when all you want to do is spend time in the wilderness.
The main problem, I feel, that is effecting the world
is ignorance of what going on in the environment and apathy
for what's going on in the environment. As long as I can
help decrease ignorance and apathy I feel that I'm making
a difference for generations to come.
3. Who or what inspires your activism?
I'm inspired by the activists around me. When I see people
that truly care it makes me believe that there is hope
for the environment. My greatest inspiration is that more
and more people are getting involved. For too long too
many people just didn't care about the state of the world.
The more people that get involved, the better the chances
we have for a beautiful wild and free future.
4. Who is/are your role models? Why?
Growing up, my father was my greatest role model. He was
a "hippy" when he was my age, and even though
he didn't approve of me going into the Navy, he still
supported me fully. That love is what carries me though.
Even if I disagree with someone doesn't mean I can't love
them. The more love we can show towards all life on this
planet the better the planet will be and the better we
will be.
5. How long have you been an activist in this
field?
I worked very shortly with MaryPIRG (a few weeks). I've
been with the B.F.C. for a few months, but I see myself
working with them and organizations like them for years
to come.
6. How has activism changed in your lifetime?
I knew very little about it in my youth. Growing up in
a large city, I saw very little activism and knew very
little about this field. In my adult years I did see a
lot more activity as I traveled the country. I'm glad
to see that activist groups are educating more and more
people through more and more mediums. The B.F.C. (and
other like minded organizations) have websites, e-mail
addresses, put up bill boards, send out flyer's and bulletins.
The more ways we have to send out information, the more
people will get involved.
7. What are the challenges to activism in general?
Activism in your field?
There are a lot of people that don't agree with us. There
are many organizations (sometimes government organizations)
that not only believe that our organization is wrong but
they also believe what they are doing is right. When we
are in the field documenting their actions we are constantly
threatened with imprisonment. We are harassed not only
by government officials but local populace as well.
8. How do your family, friends and community view
your activism?
My family, for the most part, believe that I'm just a
crazy hippy, living in the mountains looking at buffalo
all the time. The ones that stop and listen to what I
have say, believe in what I do and they also believe I'm
fighting for a good cause. Even though the majority of
them don't really know what I'm doing they still support
me.
9. What is your message to young activist?
Keep up the good work. Learn what you can from who you
can, when you can and educate others when possible. The
more we work together the easier the work will be. Never
stop learning and sharing. Together we can make a difference.
10. What is your hope for the future of your field
of activism?
I hope that one day in the future there won't be a need
for people like me. I hope that animals (and buffalo in
particular) will one day roam free. I hope that our forests
will be safe havens for flora and fauna. I hope that there
won't be a risk to wildlife. There won't be any endangered
species. I hope there will one day be an end to war, crime,
corruption, rebellion, famine, plague, slavery, genocide,
and economic collapse. Until then I'm going to do whatever
I can to try to make a positive difference for generations
to come.
11. How much time is spent towards your activism
weekly?
I spend as much time as I can spend doing activist activities.
Of course I take time for myself. I give myself time to
relax and decrease stress, but I can't think of anything
I'd rather spend my time doing then trying to share positivity
and doing what I can to make the world a better place.
Thanks for your questions. It pleases me to know that
everyday more and more people are learning about what
activism is. I was once blind to what people are doing
to our planet. Knowing that a "city boy from the
ghetto" like myself can learn about the state of
the world and do something to make a change is great.
And it is only possible because someone like yourself
learned about it and shared the information. Someone,
like yourself, cares enough to try to make a difference.
Continue the good work, the world needs more people like
you. The world needs people that care about what's happening.
Together we can change minds and help make the world a
better place.
Peace & Love, ClarenceGilmer II
BFC Volunteer
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