Climate Justice Fast

Climate Justice Fast begins at Williams College

Submitted by Williams College - Western Massachusetts on Mon, 09/11/2009
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This is Jen Rowe from Williams College's Climate Justice Fast Team. My first day of solidarity fasting began at 5:45 AM when I got up to cook for Log Lunch, Williams College's environmental lunch held every Friday. Cooking for the Log was different this week because I wasn't tasting everything along the way. I am usually a shameless cookie-dough pilferer.

I returned to the Log at noon to make an announcement about the Williams rolling fast. I must say that I was very tempted by the pecan cookies. But the kick I got from turning them down was worth it; I realized that I had a will that was strong enough to resist food.

This revelation helped me understand the true power of fasting. By demonstrating the power of the human will, the long-term fasters are showing humanity it's true strength. Fasting refutes the idea that we somehow too weak to overcome our individual greed, to make our societies just, or to live sustainably. The long-term fasters have inspired me to dream of and work toward of a world that before I had been afraid to voice for fear of sounding naive. Now I can say that my vision is shared by a strong and amazing community of people who will do all in their power to realize a just world.

Later in the day, I received 3 more e-mails from students who heard my announcement and wanted to join the fast. I can't express how encouraged it makes me feel that there are now 45 students and professors in my own college who are willing to publicly show and act upon their commitment for climate justice.  I can't help but think that if there are 45 people just in my small community willing to fast for this cause, then we really do have hope.