Interacting in an environment where distinct or disparate entities meet. ~ Shirley F. Rivera
A person engages in brackish swimming when commingling among different entities.
Familiar with this? Entities can be people from different generations - think family gatherings. Entities can be those with opposing views and beliefs - think politics.
Heck!
Why not a combination of all of the above?!
Family, food, holidays, and politics - amirite?
(hello, little girl, you brackish swimmer - bringing music to the landscape)
Brackish benefits
The benefit of brackish swimming? Guided by your beliefs and curiosities, this is where change happens.
It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences. ~ Audre Lorde
Brackish water
In the natural environment, wikipedia describes brackish water as -
. . . water occurring in a natural environment having more salinity than fresh water, but not as much as seawater. It may result from mixing seawater (salt water) with fresh water together, as in estuaries, or it may occur in brackish fossil aquifers.
An example of brackish water is where the mouth of Canada’s fresh water Fraser River meets up with the saltwater of the Pacific Ocean via the Strait of Georgia.
Photo credit: Kevin Bartlett
The boundary seen in the image is described in this video, Fresh Water Meets Sea Water – Boundary Explained, as -
This is the Fraser River Delta just in front of Vancouver BC Canada, this is where sea water meets fresh water.
The river water from Fraser River flows into the ocean water of the Strait of Georgia.
Modern Science has discovered that in the places where two different bodies meet, there is a barrier between them. This barrier creates a noticeable line, as each water body has its own temperature, salinity, and density.
BRACKISH emerges through conversation
Holiday gatherings aside, brackish swimming emerged in conversations with Marlon Fuentes. We often talk about how I navigate my work and leisure social circles. We had a notable discussion while writing Environmentalist: Identify Yourself. I shared that, with more than thirty years working with business and government, I am working with my first community group - an environmental justice group.
Below is an excerpt from my essay in response to questions from peers -
“Why are you consulting for an EJ group?”
When I look at my vision statement, we are choosing to go one step further. When I think about the kind of environmentalist I am, I am doing what I’ve done for business and government. I share my deep knowledge of regulations and technical issues. When I see the benefits of being proactive to understand communities’ perspectives of business and government, I don’t have to choose sides. My lived experience is expanding. I am becoming better informed.
“Aren't you worried about damaging future business opportunities?”
No, I’m not. I am at the interplay of business, government, and community, where change happens.
This is brackish swimming. This is where change happens.
Creativity and insight almost always involve an experience of acute pattern recognition: the eureka moment in which we perceive the interconnection between disparate concepts or ideas to reveal something new. ~ Jason Silva
Perhaps at your next gathering of distinct or disparate entities in your work or leisure experiences, GET BRACKISH!
THREE QUESTIONS FOR YOU
What conversations are you having?
What change do you want to see in the world?
With whom do you engage in brackish swimming?
Thank you to those who gave feedback and suggestions on this piece - Caitlin Kight, Ken Rice, Marlon Fuentes, Roy Naquin.