Why The Black Environmental Justice Network Is Relaunching

Founded in 1999, the coalition paused its work in 2006. The relaunch aims to bring environmental racism and enforcement of environmental regulation back into focus.

Producer: Steve Horn
Ericka Blount Danois
Video Editor: Oscar León

[equillawoods]

Thanks for speaking up I appreciate it

[stuartbarbee]

Some people pretend they don't know this is a reality for Black and poor people whose communities are targeted. I've lived in the south too for decades and have seen how this is done. A location close to my family's neighborhood was chosen for a wast dump site and for years they complained of the smell. City council decided without much notice and when they went to the meetings to protest decisions, they weren't listened to. The same type type "planning" is also responsible for Black communities being flooded places like New Orleans when hurricane Katrina hit. The same "downstream" flooding of Black neighborhoods and farms also happened in NC. This would not be a race issue, if the decision makers would not devalue the lives of Black people.

[leealexander]

I wish some of these people could move up here. It's not perfect. Far from it. We do have agriculture and the plants get sprayed once or twice a year with something that's probably unhealthy but people don't seem to be suffering undue harm. There are horses which I love but I understand they're not everyone's cup of tea. Just stay out of the few cities and away from the areas with stinky livestock agriculture and it's not bad. That is along the Mississippi River on the other side of the state. Pigs especially smell deadfall when the poor creatures are packed together tightly in factory farms. The town's are too small to do much if anything in the way of segregation. I, for one, enjoy having neighbors of color and already have many Hispanic friends and neighbors along with a couple Oriental friends. It's far safer for your health than places like Arkansas.

[ericjenkin]

I can say the young white folk I know of aren't privileged or racist. I've seen death and lost family. Where is the hope I just want us to work together?!

[BobHolster-omrf]

WITH THE GREEN MOVEMENT YOU WILL HAVE A LOT MORE COMPANY.
ALL WORKING CLASS PEOPLE WILL BE IN YOUR SITUATION SOON.

[emiebex]

Low Impact areas, area's where minorities residents are typically located. Like Factories, Wastewater treatment plants, & City Dumps. Yeah Black Environment Justice is Desperately needed. Since these factors are effecting Thr Health & Well being of African Americans.

[rogerdodger]

This information is incorrect. I have lived down south for over 65 years. Blacks are not targeted with construction of refineries and chemical plants. The plants are located very close to the river for transportation advantages. Often these are in unpopulated areas. The land costs can be less. Nobody was targeted... and nobody makes people stay there.
God Bless America
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