Beyond the Leaf: Uncovering Diversity in the Plant Community

Uncovering the Hidden World of Plant Enthusiasts

My journey into the world of plants began in 2017, when I was tasked with painting a crest surrounded by flowers for a friend’s brand. As I delved deeper into the project, I realized how little I knew about plants, visually. Despite being surrounded by them my entire life, I struggled to accurately paint one from memory. This sparked a curiosity in me, and I turned to Instagram to learn more.

A World of Lush Jungles and Concrete Cages

Through hashtags like #PlantsMakePeopleHappy and #Plantstagram, I stumbled upon a vibrant online community of plant enthusiasts. I scrolled through photos of apartments transformed from lifeless concrete cubes into lush, vibrant jungles. The act of home gardening fascinated me, and I was drawn to the way it could transform ordinary spaces into ones filled with beauty and peace. As I explored further, I discovered a new form of art and meditation that combined living elements with discarded relics from a consumerist society. This fusion of nature and urban decay resonated deeply with me, living in a densely populated city.

The Unseen Community

However, as I continued to explore the online plant community, I began to notice a disturbing trend. The popular pages that fueled the plant craze seemed to follow a uniform theme – a lack of color. The imagery was predominantly white, with little to no representation of people of color. It was as if nature had been whitewashed. I knew this couldn’t be true; historically, people of color have been the farmers, the gardeners. We were kidnapped for our innate ability to cultivate the land. So why couldn’t I visualize a flower? Why had I believed that gardening was a hobby reserved for old white women?

Breaking Down Barriers

I decided to take matters into my own hands, combining my experience as a multimedia artist and photographer to create a unique style of floral design. I rapidly developed a distinctive aesthetic, one that rivaled the production quality of my counterparts. But when I tried to share my work with the online plant community, I was met with silence. My photos and videos were consistently overlooked, while those of white creators with fewer likes and engagement received more visibility. It was clear that the algorithm was biased, prioritizing race over subject matter.

Redefining the Plant Community

I refused to give up. Instead, I focused on supporting fellow creators of color, and eventually, I stumbled upon Jasmine, the founder of @Blackgirlswithgardens. Her page was a breath of fresh air, showcasing the beauty and diversity of the plant community. I worked with Jasmine to establish @Blackmenwithgardens, a platform that would redefine what it means to be a plant enthusiast. Together, we built a community that celebrates the voices and faces often ignored by curators and algorithms.

Challenging the Status Quo

The largest impact that can be made by users online is through engaging with and sharing the content created by people of color. This helps promote people’s truth while challenging narratives constructed from biased perspectives. By doing so, we can break down the barriers that have been erected, and create a more inclusive and diverse online community.

Discovering New Voices

If you’re ready to help change the algorithm, I’ve listed some of my favorite accounts, each focusing on spotlighting underrepresented communities or offering fresh perspectives on everyday topics. Take a moment to explore and engage with these talented creators:

  • @birdsandnaturetours – bird watching & nature
  • @blackgirlsride – motorcycle
  • @Latinxwithplants – gardening
  • @crazyplantrichasian – gardening
  • @black.man.now – self empowerment
  • @soulpick – self empowerment
  • @melaninbasecamp – sports & outdoors
  • @ravel.embroidery – textile and fabrics
  • @theforgottencowboys – animals & outdoors
  • @thatviolakid – music
  • @earnyourleisure – finance
  • @love.watts – black owned platform for artists
  • @moodynolandesign – architecture
  • @planksandpistils – floral design
  • @bea.morad – floral design
  • @blackgirlnerds – pop culture
  • @_nubiamancy – fantasy art
  • @blackvoyageurs – travel
  • @latinxparenting – parenting & family

By engaging with these accounts, you’ll not only discover new voices and perspectives but also help challenge the algorithm and create a more inclusive online community.

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