Anticipating the official, post-beta launch of Pottermore, JK Rowling's new Harry Potter enterprise, rumors are spreading that the author may have been sorted into the most low-key and underappreciated of the Hogwarts houses-Hufflepuff.
Yet, beyond the stereotype that Hufflepuffs are all duffers, it is easy to see how Ms. Rowling may have indeed been dubbed a badger. Hufflepuffs are a very socially minded and cooperative lot, unconcerned with competition and eager to work hard to make the world a better place. Ms. Rowling is a staunch advocate for creating a world without poverty for children and founded the charities LUMOS and One Parent Families to improve poor children's lives. She has traveled extensively and donated time and money to other social causes.
In typical Hufflepuff fashion, however, these socially minded actions are easy to overlook next to the flashier movie deals and rags to riches story of Ms. Rowling's life. Likewise, closer to home, social activists have dedicated their lives to making our world a more sustainable place in New York City and beyond often with little recognition for their hard and important work.
Here are just a few examples of unsung sustainability heroes of New York City that exemplify that Hufflepuff spirit of hard work, locally produced products and cooperation.
Brooklyn Arts Collectives
Brooklyn has a long tradition of arts collectives such as Artsbrick that merge hard work with artistic talent to help improve the world. In 2009, artists dedicated hundreds of hours of labor to turn an unused and vacant lot into a mini-golf course for families in Brooklyn. This is only one example of the many ways artists turn sweat labor and artistic vision to help create a better New York City.
Organic Farmers at New York Farmer’s Markets
Pomona Sprout, the head of Hufflepuff House fights the battle at Hogwarts using plants she raised in her greenhouse. Organic farmers in New York, however, may have a greater foe than Death Eaters at hand. With Monsanto and other corporations trying to push out local, organically produced food, the farmer's who continue to fight the battle to keep our food local, one farm grown tomato at a time.
Community Supported Agriculture Share Holders
Community Supported Agriculture is a way that New Yorkers can cooperate with local farmers to make local farming more sustainable instead of buying into the competition of the fierce retail market. In exchange for buying a farm share, share holders are provided fresh, local produced farm products and benefit from the bounty of the farm. In lean years, however, when crops do not flourish, the share may not yield as much produce or product, a risk that most CSA members take on willingly in order to help support farmers and the community.
Comments