The Story Of Plastics, Discussion Notes

The Story of Plastics is a documentary film released on October 6, 2019, which aired on the Discovery Channel on April 22, 2020 and was hosted by 350 Spokane for free public screenings from May 21 – June 12, 2020. What follows are notes from the movie and from the Zoom Film discussion meeting convened by 350 Spokane on June 11, 2020.

What is Neighbor Love in the Time of COVID-19, the Black Lives Matter Movement, and the Unfolding Climate Crisis?

Every major faith tradition teaches its members to love their neighbor, and in my own faith (Christianity) the rule to love our neighbor is one of the two great commandments. Stuck at home in front of the TV for the last few months three things have led me to rethink this basic command and wonder what we need to do to practice neighbor love in the time of COVID-19, the Black Lives Matter movement and the unfolding Climate Crisis.

Taking Time to Lament

I believe that I am an optimist. One of the key characteristics of a mentally healthy person is optimism, and I like to think that I have it in spades. I was raised to believe in the power of positive thinking and to always look on the bright side. After all, nobody likes a Debbie Downer! I also come from a Christian faith perspective in which Christians are supposed to live in the hope of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. We are supposed to have hope for something better and just “give it all to God”.

Environmental Racism: Who Will Speak if You Don’t?

Civil Rights icon John Lewis said “When you see something that is not right, not just, not fair, you have a moral obligation to say something. To do something. Our children and their children will ask us, ‘What did you do? What did you say?’”