People do not give enough specific thought to the destruction following and accompanying consumerism.
In Lake Jackson, HEB bought a huge section of land (reportedly the biggest piece of land they have ever bought). Land that was 102 separate pieces of property. The hundreds of people who lived in homes throughout this land were forced to move some time ago. These homes were in the oldest and poorest section of town. Homes destroyed. People displaced. Progress without thought to the memories. Progress without thought to what this life will do and where they will go.
Sometime ago now, they cleared all the houses out. Left no trace that there had ever been houses.
Yesterday and today they have been clearing the area. Trees cut down. Grass and weeds cleared away. Again. Homes destroyed. Beings displaced. Progress without thought to the memories. Progress without thought to what this life will do and where they will go.
Of course we need businesses to provide food and clothing and jobs. But, there are too many vacant buildings. Too many areas of nature torn down without a thought.
But, we should also stop and mourn the life lost and displaced.
In the case of the birds, bugs, and other such non-“talking” life, even if they are able to successfully relocated, symbiotic relationships and patterns are interrupted.
The picture above, from Google Earth, shows the area undergoing destruction. The video below shows the destruction.
As Susan Sontag said: TO LIVE IS AN AGGRESSION.
Dr. Andrew Joseph Pegoda 