Changing The Face Of Prepping – Forbes

Black preppers are real.

According to the National Park Service, as early as 1866, when the law stated that Blacks were allowed to benefit from the Homestead Act signed by Abraham Lincoln, homesteading became the entry way for Blacks to build their own self-sufficient communities in the Great Plains.  Unfortunately, this bit of history is dismissed and in danger of being lost.  Recently, the New York Times published a pandemic-inspired story called I’m Not A Housewife, I’m a Prepper, that some may argue painted a superficial image of a lifestyle with deep historical roots that people of color, particularly Black slaves, had no choice but to adopt and make stretch the scraps they were given to nourish and heal their bodies. 

Today, prepping has created popular images from the suburban housewife pressure canning meat to the hipster bulk buying frozen kale to – possibly the most popular image – the bearded white survivalist living in a bunker. Prepping, in its plainest language, boils down to owning your housing, providing your own security and growing your own food. It goes far beyond toilet paper and Lysol. 

Black homesteader and prepper Sharon Ross, is owner of Afrovivalist, a platform that teaches others to be fully self-reliant and independent, and one of the leaders in a space that more Black people want to embrace again.

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Maryann Reid: Homesteaders are often seen as the “original preppers”. What is the difference between homesteading and prepping? 

Sharon Ross: I feel that the homesteader is a prepper because the homesteader stores food and supplies also like a prepper does. A homesteader is a person who wants to live a self-sufficient and nontraditional lifestyle outside of the cities. Some live off-grid, in the forest or on a farm or ranch. Most preppers live in a city or suburban lifestyle who also store food and supplies to survive a disaster.  

Reid: Preppers are often depicted in the media as racist, white, or poor. How has being a Black female prepper changed your life?

Ross: Being a Black prepper, has changed my life because it provides me with a sense of security. Prepping is my life insurance. In the past, I have been called crazy, a conspiracy theorist, and I have lost friends because of my new lifestyle. But now that we are in a global pandemic, I am no longer crazy. 

Reid: How have Black women prepped before it was “in style”? 

Ross: My grandmother would have eggs in a bucket with hay in it and put them in the root cellar until she was able to sell them.  Unfortunately, before Covid-19, prepping was not popular among my community. But that has now changed and there are more women prepping. Everyone has gotten use to the convenience of fast paced service everywhere. Covid-19 caught a lot of people off guard and they were not prepared to be sheltered in place for three months. Now, they realize that our lives could change at any moment. Thank goodness people are getting prepared.

Reid: What are we missing these days that prepping is looked down upon and week to week living is praised?

Ross: Alot of people are missing the fact the we are on the verge of being in a war. The situation with China and Taiwan is escalating to become a war. It is my opinion that once they start battling, it will not stay on Taiwan or China shores. Their war may come the United States soil. Which is another reason we need to prepare.

Reid: You live in Oregon and Washington. What is the Black prepper community like there?

Ross: It is my opinion that there are not enough Black preppers. Honestly, there are not enough people of color prepping outside of African descent either. It is important that everyone prepares for the unexpected disaster. Now, that Covid-19 is here, that has changed. People of color are waking up to the reality of needing to be prepared.

Reid: Why is now an important time for Black people to learn about their prepper roots?

Ross: It is very important that we as Black people return to our roots. Our ancestors have been preppers and we need to prepare for the upcoming civil unrest and possible war. When we experienced natural disaster, it has become clear that the community of people of color are the last to receive funds, and supplies to survive, therefore, we have to prepare for ourselves.

Reid: If someone can only do one thing to make prepping a part of their lifestyle what would that be? 

Ross: Store water and learn how to purify water. Water is life. We can only survive three days without it.

Reid: How can someone get started in prepping? 

Ross: People can start prepping by starting in their kitchen. Look for long shelf-life foods like noodles, rice, beans and canned foods. In addition, start attending prepper groups in your community to be able to have a better understanding of what to prepare for in your region. Please feel free to take a look at my website, www.afrovivalist.com and my social media sites.

Reid: What’s next for you?

Ross: I am working on deCamp Outdoors for next year, a preparedness outdoor camp to focus on preparing your pantry, how to evacuate, start a fire and more. This country is going through changes and they will get worse before it gets better. It is very important not to panic. Prepare at your own pace and set a prepping budget and pay down your current debt.