This hour-long biography (https://www.filmmakerscollaborative.org/stewart-udall) directed by John de Graaf, was part of the Earth Justice Film Series – Stories to Inspire, organized by Havurah Shalom’s Climate Action Team and Community.
The film follows Udall’s life from his Mormon upbringing in St. John’s, Arizona, through his World War II service in Europe, his student years at the University of Arizona where he played basketball and fought for integration, his years in Congress, and then as Secretary of the Interior where he championed saving public lands, under presidents Kennedy and Johnson where he became an advocate for peace, against the Vietnam War, and finally his later years as an author, activist and advocate for social justice.
Udall became well-known for overseeing the addition of several national parks, wildlife refuges, monuments, and historic and recreational sites during his time as Secretary of the Interior serving under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Udall guided breakthrough environmental legislation (Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, among others) through two administrations, finally being passed into law by President Nixon. And he was the first public official to speak out about global warming.
We also see how Udall’s ideas evolved, best demonstrated when he converted from a pro-power dam congressional representative to the anti-dam Secretary of the Interior when he opposed and blocked the proposed Grand Canyon dams. After realizing the effects of the interstate highway system decades into the project, of which he was originally an advocate and supporter, he changed his stance to stress the importance of walkability in neighborhoods to maintain healthy communities. After his government service he fought to win compensation for Navajo Indians and “downwinders” who got cancer from their exposure to radiation, without being warned of the dangers.
Stewart Udall valued frugality and quality-of-life over consumerism and limitless wealth acquisition. He was more concerned with people being able to live simply and resourcefully, in harmony with nature, conserving the nation’s lands for the enjoyment of future generations.
Udall’s humility and humanity were the basis of his decision making process. He was an advocate of social and environmental justice, international cooperation, art, poetry and music, as well as the protection of our environment and natural beauty.
The film also highlights the bipartisan nature of Udall’s efforts and calls on us to move beyond the polarization of our time and work together to protect our shared natural heritage. Udall truly embodied many wellbeing concepts in his life – a man ahead of his time.
Director John de Graaf, Seattle, and Producer Laurence Cotton, Portland, answered questions and a rich, depthful discussion was had, with many lessons from Udall’s life and work to draw from and relate to our current reality.
The next films in the Earth Justice Film Series are “Inhabitants: Indigenous Perspectives on Restoring Our World” (2021) in May and “Plastic Wars” (2020) in June. Register for free here: https://www.havurahshalom.org/event/ip-hcat-film-series-4.html
