From Commodity to Community: Rethinking Water Use with Jimmy Ramirez

Art Heals All Wounds

In this episode of *Art Heals All Wounds*, I sit down with Jimmy Ramirez, an artist and high school teacher from Oakley, California. We talk about Jimmy’s film Above Ground, which delves into the ways that streams and creeks in Oakland have been ‘entombed’ in culverts in Oakland, California. We also discuss re-imagining our relationship to water.
**Key Topics Discussed:**

1. **Discovery of Hidden Waterways**:

- My personal experience of discovering the hidden Providence River during my college years in Providence, Rhode Island, drawing a parallel to the hidden creeks of Oakland.

2. **Jimmy's Film "Above Ground"**:

- The film explores how Oakland has buried many of its natural waterways under concrete, a practice known as "entombing." This impacts local ecosystems previously supporting species like salmon and trout.

3. **Personal Connection to Peralta Creek**:

- Jimmy discusses his family's history with Peralta Creek in Fruitvale, Oakland, emphasizing how urban development has drastically altered the waterway.

4. **Impact of Water Management Practices**:

- Water management practices designed to prevent flooding have dried out natural water bodies despite heavy rainfalls, disrupting ecological balance.

5. **Historical Decisions and Urban Planning**:

- The conversation addresses the historical decisions to bury natural waterways and how early urban planning overlooked long-term environmental impacts.

6. **Environmental and Mental Health Implications**:

- We discuss the concept of "slow violence" where the lack of natural elements in urban areas contributes to mental health issues and community stress.

7. **Neighborhood Disparities**:

- Disparities between wealthier neighborhoods with more greenery and lower-income areas in Oakland are highlighted, showing the uneven distribution of environmental resources.

8. **Community Initiatives and Successes**:

- Some residents have successfully removed culverts to restore natural water flow, though legal ambiguities persist.

9. **Government and Political Dynamics**:

- Oakland officials have shown interest in Jimmy’s film to raise awareness about these environmental issues, and the conversation touches on the politicized nature of water management in California.

10. **Reimagining Water Use**:

- Jimmy advocates for a collectivist approach to water systems, inspired by indigenous wisdom, contrasting America's individualistic mindset.

11. **Challenges and Resistance**:

- Addressing restrictive regulations around rainwater collection and gray water reuse, and how contractors are now more conscious about concreting over backyards.

12. **Future Projects and Art's Role**:

- Jimmy discusses future projects and the significance of art in processing climate grief and inspiring change. He also expresses gratitude for support from the California Arts Council.

**Closing Thoughts and Listener Engagement:**
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