As a former vegan chef who has transitioned into regenerative cattle ranching, I’ve navigated the delicate balance between two distinct realms: the health-focused, progressive communities of Los Angeles and the often-misunderstood landscapes of rural Texas.
For many years, I was deeply immersed in the principles of organic farming and plant-based nutrition, convinced that our food systems must prioritize safety, resilience, and the absence of harmful chemicals. My community was largely left-leaning, fervent about clean water, food safety, and the perils of over-medication. It all felt so straightforward.
However, a significant transformation unfolded during the COVID-19 pandemic. The same individuals who had once opposed chemicals in our food suddenly began advocating for them, clamoring for fluoride in drinking water and eagerly lining up for vaccines, seemingly overlooking the values they had previously espoused. This left me perplexed and questioning the very principles of a movement I had long embraced.
As a lifelong liberal married to an undocumented immigrant and a passionate advocate for organic farming and holistic health, I found myself at a pivotal moment during the pandemic. In my quest for a deeper understanding of the vaccine debate, I began to engage with voices I had once dismissed, including those from the political right. This eye-opening journey revealed that I shared common ground with individuals I had previously viewed as ideological adversaries.
One prominent voice that caught my attention was Tucker Carlson. Initially, I approached him through the lens of my biases, labeling him a racist and a bigot. Yet, as I listened more attentively, I discovered that he, too, was a father deeply concerned about his children’s health and future. He echoed my values regarding environmentalism, clean water, and the necessity of preserving our natural world. This realization marked a turning point for me; I recognized that we were not adversaries but rather fellow parents striving to protect our families amidst uncertainty.
This brings me to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. His candidacy for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) resonates profoundly with my personal journey. Many in my community dismiss him as a “whack job” lacking a medical background, but this labeling mirrors how I once viewed Carlson. RFK Jr. is not a threat; he stands as a champion for informed consent and transparency in our food and pharmaceutical systems.
His vision for HHS aligns seamlessly with the values I hold dear, especially regarding the significance of regenerative agriculture for human health. For the first time, a presidential candidate is addressing the vital connection between soil health and human well-being. As both a mother and a farmer, this message is incredibly inspiring to me. RFK Jr. advocates for reducing chemicals in our food supply and empowering parents to understand what goes into their children’s bodies. As a mother, I believe it is essential for us to know the ingredients in the vaccines our children receive, just as we should demand food that nourishes rather than harms.
We must acknowledge that affordable, chemically-laden food often comes at a heavy price to farmworkers’ health. I was reminded of this with every conversation I had with Cynthia, a house cleaner in California, who worked in a team harvesting strawberries, with each member diagnosed with cancer before age 40.
The recent leftward shift toward accepting more chemicals in our food and water is disheartening. This issue transcends partisan lines; it is fundamentally about humanity. It concerns the future of our children and the environment we leave behind. We should prioritize clean air and water, rather than advocating for more fluoride or pesticides. True environmentalism means ensuring that our food is safe, our air is breathable, and our water is drinkable. These principles have long been central to progressive ideology, and it feels as though we’ve lost our way.
It saddens me to witness my friends on the left resist RFK Jr.’s candidacy. He is an accomplished environmental advocate with a proven history of holding powerful corporations accountable for their actions. He cleaned up the Hudson River and has been a consistent voice for mothers who have often been overlooked. His insights into the intricate relationship between corporate interests and government regulation are precisely what we need in this crucial role.
I understand that the political landscape is laden with emotion and frustration, particularly with the current administration. However, we must recognize this as an opportunity for meaningful, transformative change in our food systems—an opportunity to redefine the relationship between corporate interests and government oversight in a way that prioritizes public health and environmental stewardship.
As a mother, a farmer, a chef, and a concerned citizen, it would be a grave mistake to overlook the substantial reform that RFK Jr. could bring to the Department of Health and Human Services. We have the potential to make significant progress toward a healthier food system and a more equitable society.
