The Gangster Gardener of South Central: Ron Finley

In Los Angeles, South Central is infamous for gang violence and poverty. Though no longer as dangerous as its reputation, South Central is still impoverished in terms of access to recreational parks and healthy foods.

mediad.publicbroadcasting.net – via Iframely

Because of this, obesity is a major problem there.  South Central resident Ron Finley laments, “The drive-thrus are killing more people than the drive-bys.”

As Ron Finley grew up in South Central, he was not only surrounded by unhealthy foods, but also the empty lots that litter Los Angeles County.

He explains his experiences with South Central’s issues and his own community-engaging solution of guerrilla gardening in the following Ted-Talk.

TED / Ron Finley – via Iframely

The Gangster Gardener’s solution is simple. It calls upon local communities to take control of what they can, in an environment that gives them so little. Though he beautifully gives purpose to decrepit land and provides opportunities for outdoor exercise, the best part of Finley’s work is that individuals bear the fruit of of their own diligence.

farm7.staticflickr.com – via Iframely

He created a new valued version of rebellious independence, in the form of self-sufficiency. Eventually, he created a local and then a global-scale organization that promotes giving others the tools they need to help themselves. Ron Finley encouraged people, “Plant your own damn food! I’m not doing that shit!”