Publisher's Letter

Dear Natural Awakenings family,

I want to acknowledge an erroneous reference to the Black United States Pageant in the article “Miss Black USA” on page 13 of the March 2025 edition. The Black United States Pageant is not affiliated with Miss Black USA. I apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused. At Natural Awakenings, we value accuracy, authenticity and integrity, and we strive to correct errors promptly. 

As Earth Day approaches, it’s a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the planet for future generations. Our world belongs to all life forms, and we all deserve clean air, clean water, healthy soil and a peaceful existence.  

Growing up, life looked quite different. We only had paper bags. Babies were breastfed and wore cloth diapers. Clothes dried on a clothesline, and most people grew their own food, preserving it through canning. Meals were home-cooked, and families gathered around the dinner table. Buffet restaurants didn’t exist, and we ate mostly fresh foods—not a lot of processed ones. My mother and grandmother cooked and baked from scratch, using cast iron skillets and crockpots, not air fryers and microwaves.

Animals were raised naturally, without steroids, hormones or routine antibiotics. Pharmaceuticals were not prescribed in record numbers. We didn’t see the levels of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, autism and behavioral disorders that exist today. Children played outdoors, moving their bodies with joy and curiosity.

Today, our modern conveniences often come at the planet’s expense. Pollution is taking a devastating toll on ocean life, and we are ingesting its consequences in the form of microplastics, which have been linked to numerous health issues. The livestock industry releases methane that accelerates climate change, and animal waste pollutes waterways. In some communities, industrial pollution leads to high rates of cancer and other health problems. 

How can we come together to protect Mother Earth for its inhabitants and future generations? It starts with caring and respecting the planet and all that share it. The choices we make—what we consume, how we dispose of waste, and how we care for our land—matter more than ever.

We are all interconnected—both with one another and with nature. Our bodies are designed for health, and Earth provides what we need to thrive. The more we harm the planet, the sicker we become, and the faster our life force fades. But we have the power to change course. If we set aside distractions, negativity and divisions, we can come together as a united, peaceful and loving global family and restore balance to both the planet and our well-being.  

What legacy will you leave to make the world a better place—not just for today, but for generations to come?

All my love,