Why the U.S. Culture of Colonial Extraction Is Making People Sick and Destroying the Planet
Rupa Marya, an advocate for decolonized medicine, sheds light on how the culture of colonial capitalism in the United States negatively impacts human health and the environment.
Marya, a physician and musician, argues that the prevailing social structures prioritizing profit over holistic well-being have led to widespread isolation, disconnection from nature, and mental health issues.
Various experts, including U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, have described loneliness and disconnection as an “epidemic” in American society, with studies indicating that the health effects of loneliness rival obesity and smoking. Marya asserts that loneliness is a symptom of a broader culture of disconnect rooted in toxic American individualism.
Indigenous societies, long recognizing the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and the planet, offer valuable insights into human health. Marya coauthored the book Inflamed: Deep Medicine and the Anatomy of Injustice, in which she and Raj Patel explored connections between health and structural injustices prevalent in society. Deep medicine, as they describe it, focuses on redesigning social structures that contribute to illness rather than placing blame solely on individuals.
Marya’s work centers on the Deep Medicine Circle, a nonprofit collective dedicated to decolonizing farming and restoring relationships with nature through food. The circle aims to repair the damage caused by colonial capitalism, advocating for land restoration and reawakening traditional ecological knowledge. Marya emphasizes the importance of returning land to Indigenous communities to promote better ecological balance and effectively address climate change.
The collective is determined to elevate the status of farmers, acknowledging their vital role in sustaining health and the environment. By decommodifying food, the Deep Medicine Circle ensures that nutrient-dense food is accessible to all, regardless of social or economic status.
Marya calls for an urgent response to the racist and classist structures that have perpetuated health disparities and violent policing, urging a shift toward systems of justice and reparations. Decolonizing medicine is central to this endeavor, dismantling systems that perpetuate injustice.
The Deep Medicine Circle offers a blueprint for others to follow, with plans to develop a toolkit to guide similar initiatives worldwide. By advocating for localized and community-led efforts, the Deep Medicine Circle aims to promote resilient food systems, secure land access for marginalized communities, and foster a deeper connection with nature.
To support the Deep Medicine Circle’s work, Marya encourages donations and aims to tap into policy initiatives to secure public funding. By bringing together different communities, organizations, and experts, the Deep Medicine Circle seeks to cultivate a movement that embraces traditional knowledge and fosters healthier, more connected societies in harmony with the planet.
🔭 This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
