TAKING ROOT

"Keeping the Light in the Dark..."

Taking Root is the story of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai whose simple act of planting trees grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, protect human rights, provide own resources and food, improve their power of life, and empower women. Maathai’s vision was ‘planted’ during her childhood and upbringing. She was taught that anyone, no matter how small can make a difference that everyone should be respected and valued, and no matter how desperate a situation, don’t ever give up. Wangari seemed to be a strong-willed woman, with hopes and dreams, and these aspirations ended up inspiring and changing the lives of millions of people.
The Greenbelt Movement began with women started organizing this movement of planting trees locally at the community level, but this vision soon escaladed into a national movement. Nobody bothered them at first, but once the movement was becoming publicized and known, President Moi of Kenya and the government started interfering trying to inhibit and deface these women.
This act of trying to empower the Kenyan people then became an issue of equality and human rights violations. Wanagari Maathai expressed how crucial it was for the people to change the government. It is the people that must stand up for their beliefs and demand equality and change. It was a time to shed fear and give hope.
Comparing the Kenyan culture with our own, I found one distinct contrast that really interested me. The women’s reaction to the men attacking, beating and abusing them was completely different then what it would be here in the U.S. They compared the men abusing the women to sons abusing their moms. When this occurs they curse them by showing their nakedness. Stripping and showed their breasts were their reaction and a way to take a stand. However, if this action would be considered completely out of the ordinary and taboo in the United States.
Overall, this movie was very inspiring and empowering. This summer I am traveling to Kenya to go on a mission trip, so watching this movie really made me excited and I felt kind of connected, because I will soon be in Nairobi, Kenya myself. Maybe I will hear about this movement or be able to see the results while I’m there. Overall, The Green Belt Movement planted over 35 million trees. It’s amazing how trees can make all the difference.