Redefining the Natural World

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to embark on something called Alternative Spring Break. Essentially, myself and 12 other UCI students spent about a week doing environmental volunteer work in San Francisco. It was certainly an interesting experience and I felt strange about pulling plants out of the ground since it didn't seem like my place to do so. Most of the park rangers who guided us said that we needed to take out these "invasive plants" because they are overpowering the native species that exist in the park. It's surreal to me that we as humans can decide things like this. We create immigration laws so that Mexican people will stop coming into our subjectively drawn country lines and then we choose to segregate the natural world within the same terms. I also thought it was interesting that despite the fact that pulling these plants out of the ground was difficult for me, I did it every day. I mentioned my feelings to the group and found some common thoughts from them, but none of us ever stepped down. Perhaps because it would have been rude. After all, we were selected to be part of this program. But it makes me wonder how far people will go when they feel like they have to, even if it goes against their values.

Despite the tension I felt, I was able to experience this with 12 wonderful new friends.  We played card games upon card games, explored the city, and laughed an incredible amount.  Thank you for the experience.

-MG