Text. things that needs to be said...
jump to screenprinting. stick n poke.
Black Vermont Farming
a zine for Senior Thesis (79 pages)
Written, researched, and composed by Crystal Zhou. Black Vermont Farming is born out of an appreciation and curiosity for the ways Black people in the diaspora approach food sovereignty, afroindigenous regenerative agriculture, and community oriented earth work. With various frameworks in mind, Black Vermont Farming examines the legacy of Black environmentalists, the history of Black land ownership in the United States, and the local Black farmers that continue to do the work here in Vermont. During winter term, Crystal had the opportunity to host a J-Term Workshop titled “Black Vermont Farming” with Middlebury College students, and invited folks from SUSU CommUNITY Farm, Khelcom Farm, Calabash Garden, and Flying Buffalo to cook and eat with community. This zine is a report of Crystal’s frameworks, a collection of their findings, and a directory made by their students that details the 18 Black owned farms found in Vermont.
Racialized Surveillance of Muslim Communities
a zine for BLST 414 (42 pages)
Created with Mishka Banuri and Sri Chilukuri, this zine is an exploration of racialized surveillance, with a focus on the targeting of Muslim communities pre-, during, and post-9/11. Our work aims to challenge the widely held belief that Islamophobia emerged as a direct result of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The zine weaves together historical research on the development of surveillance technologies and practices targeting Muslim communities, as well as personal narratives that document how state surveillance has shaped experiences of belonging, criminalization, and resistance. Additionally, we will draw from Simone Browne's "Dark Matters" to highlight the intersections of invisibility, visibility, and unvisiblity to understand the unique influence and intersection of anti-blackness and Islamophobia in the War on Terror.
Saguaro Initiatives at Desert Botanical Garden: Generating Tools and Resources to Save Threatened Cactus Species
a piece for the Cactus and Succulent Society of America Journal
(11 pages)
The increasing intensity and frequency of extreme heat events in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area have raised concerns about the survival of saguaros (Carnegiea gigantea) in urban environments. While saguaros are iconic symbols of the Sonoran Desert and known for their resilience to arid conditions, increasing temperatures, prolonged drought, and urban heat island effects may be accelerating their mortality. This piece, a collaboration between the different volunteers, scientists, and community members of the Desert Botanical Garden, documents the Saguaro Initiatives. These initiatives include the Saguaro Census, which tracks saguaro health and demographics through citizen science; the Saguaro Dead Report, a tool for recording mortality trends; and the Saguaro Genomics and Conservation Initiative, which analyzes genetic diversity and climate adaptation. Additionally, we have established a Saguaro Seed Bank to safeguard the species’ genetic diversity and created a Saguaro Nursery where volunteers propagate seedlings for future restoration efforts.
Growing with the Knoll
an anthology for the 20th Anniversary of the Middlebury Organic Garden
(61 pages)
Growing the Knoll is a celebration of the commitments of creative and tireless students, staff, faculty, and experienced community volunteers who saw the value and potential in creating a garden that would become much, much more than a garden. It is a story that can serve as a resource—and inspiration—for any group interested in creating a similar community space. I served as a compilation editor and contributed three written pieces, as well as illustrations for the chapter markings, cover, and inside covers.
