Is it racist to plant a tree in Philadelphia?

There is an (internet) argument that holds that planting trees in economically underprivileged areas is superficial beautification that has no demonstrable social impact.

I understand where this is coming from, but please consider:

- I don't care.
- The tree doesn't care.
- People in the neighborhood don't care.
- Human differences are meaningless on the scale of a tree's life.
- Urban heat sink is very real but also very easy to fix.
- We are literally making grass to touch.

And while I'm fucking around, I might just go full problematic and plant some flowers too.

Fellows is it gay to be in love with another man's wardrobe

Botanical Sketchbooking: A Meditative Approach
https://www.domestika.org/en/courses/2128-botanical-sketchbooking-a-meditative-approach

Slowing down and connecting with nature through botanical illustration is how urban sketcher and illustrator Lapin finds peace in the rush of everyday life. He believes drawing through observation is a great way to develop creativity and mindfulness. In this course, he guides you through his meditative illustration methods to create lush illustrations of the plants and flowers around you.

What I like about this guy is that he's specifically focused on urban botanical illustration. I hate botanical illustration books and YouTube videos that are like 🎵 Go out into nature and take inspiration from what you see 🎵 when what I see is a opossum crawling out of my neighbor's mud-encrusted recycle bin. (I did draw the opossum btw.)

Parisian accents used to put me off, but I now associate this specific type of French accent with Kim Kitsuragi (my beloved) from Disco Elysium, so that's all right then.

ETA: This guy apparently made his wardrobe himself, and this class essentially teaches you how you can do the same. In other words, it's not so much about "connecting with nature" as it is about designing and manufacturing your own gorgeously botanical aloha shirt. Fuck yes.