Art Brown - Walking Across America
Arthur J. Brown is an environmentalist, poet, vegan, human rights and social justice activist, and passionate walker. When I met Art in 2008, my first impression was that he was “A Man of Kind Words.” Soon after, I discovered that beneath that kindness lies a meaningful story, with lessons for the new generation. His life has been dedicated to peaceful activism and anti-war efforts, motivated by a deep belief in love and compassion. Art practices a lifestyle focused on reducing consumerism, taking only what he needs and sharing with others. Remarkably, he has been using the same backpack for over 40 years during his countless walks, a demonstration of his commitment to sustainability and love for humanity.
“I engaged in my walks because I care about all the women, children, and men in this world. It is my sincere belief that if everyone were to lay down their prejudgements and truly understand what is most important in life world peace could be obtained. God taught us that we should unconditionally love each other as individuals, regardless of an individual's personal beliefs. Love in its purest form is the answer.”
– Art Brown
Living in a world that moves too fast and where overconsumption often overwhelms us, walking is an act of protest, and gives us a moment to pause and reflect on how our actions are destroying our environment.
What inspired you to start exploring the country on foot?
The first walk I did in 1990 was partially inspired by a sense of adventure but mainly by the general theme of the walk, which was to educate and make people more aware of, and more conscious of, what impacts their everyday actions have on the environment. Things like taking shorter showers to conserve water, not leaving the water running while shaving, not driving a short distance to the store, and instead walking to cut down on fuel consumption and help with air quality, etc, etc. That walk also made me more aware of my own actions as well and also showed me how a group of people (there were at times over a hundred of us) can have an impact.
It instilled in me the sense that I could live more simply, and thus live in a way that more closely aligned with what I believed, though up to that point, it was not something I was doing. In retrospect, that first walk changed a lot for me, and the way my life would eventually evolve. I believe a person's words mean everything, but I also believe that actions speak louder than words, so if by walking I can talk to people and show them ways in which we can make things better for all (through all my walks I have learned that this is what the main theme of them all were) that I would continue to do so.
What valuable lessons have you gained from all your walks?
To live more simply, and know that our every action is a reflection of how we want the world to be.
To walk lighter on the EARTH and hopefully pass that onto others, through words and most importantly, through actions.
To live each day doing the best we can, for ourselves, for others, and most importantly for the sacred Mother Earth.
Throughout every day and in everything we do we have a choice to either do it the right way, the way that can make things better for all and has less impact on the environment, or to do it the easy way, the way that in essence says, “I don’t give a shit”.
Do you view these walks as a form of protest or activism?
Both, most certainly. I find them to be interchangeable. As I mentioned above in question 1, I really had but 1 singular purpose on my walks and that was to make things better for all. The means by which I did that was to present to people the facts, no matter what I was walking for and advocating at the time.
Do you believe your actions of walking across the country are making a difference in people's lives?
I do, and I have had people tell me that they have been inspired by my actions and that I have influenced them in a positive way.
I always believed that what I was doing had a ripple effect on things, and that if I could influence 1 person in a positive way then I did well. That one person then would potentially have an influence on another, or maybe just 1 other, and that would continue to have a ricochet effect.
What types of people did you encounter during your walks, and what did you learn from them?
As many varied types of people as you could think of. With that being said I did not ever encounter a situation in which I was overly fearful, other than being rushed by dogs a few times. All I ever feared on my walks were situations I made up in my head. I mostly came across good, kind people and I was extended hospitality many times. I most certainly learned from them, mostly I learned how not to be judgemental and to be kind, because one never really knows what another might be going through or dealing with.
What was the greatest challenge you faced on the road?
I would have to say that probably the number one thing would be the physical element. There were many days in which I would have preferred to stay in bed. But I had committed to what I was doing and I have always been one who tried to do his best in the commitments I make, either to myself or others.
Was there ever a moment during your walks when you felt like giving up?
I have cut 2 of my walks short actually. Not because I was fatigued but 1 was for a personal reason over a breakup and another because I was suffering deep pain from past knee injuries.
Did you ever find yourself missing home?
No, Being who I am I never really had a home in the true sense. I mostly missed my friends and family.
Rise Up Singin’
02/17/02
Dummerston, VT
Rise up singin’
Rejoice in the morning
And greet the glory
Of a new day
The snow is fallin’
Mother Earth is wakin’
The sun is shinin’
So take time to feel the beauty
Before you head out along your way
Give praise for livin’
Give praise for lovin’
Give praise for life
Give praise for everything
Many take too much for granted
And are blinded by their greed
But what if everyone only listened to their hearts
Then took action for all the wrongs we see
There is way too much confusion
In this crazy world we live in now
We surely need to band together
And make a positive change somehow
There are seven generations
That fall victim to all the wrongs we do
There is a need to become more aware of others
Besides just you’re chosen few
All things can change from example
We have to try to turn it all around
Make a stand for what is really right
Instead of letting our inhibitions keep us down
Photography and Interview by Tatiana Enriquez