ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE STUDY
From September – December 2020, the Social Justice Committee, Green Sanctuary Committee, and the Racial Justice Committee are bringing current topics in environmental justice to Accotink. We will suggest articles, movies, and books that can help you to understand some of the issues that People of Color face regarding environmental racism, health disparities, food and housing issues.
As Robert Bullard, father of Environmental Justice says, “Race and class still matter and map closely with pollution, unequal protection, and vulnerability. Today, zip code is still the most potent predictor of an individual’s health and well-being. Individuals who physically live on the “wrong side of the tracks” are subjected to elevated environmental health threats and more than their fair share of preventable diseases. Still, too many people and communities have the “wrong complexion for protection.” https://drrobertbullard.com/
You are invited to participate in the following activities:
- Nov. 8, Coffee Hour Discussion on “Maternal Mortality and Morbidity in the Black Community”.
- Nov. 22, Coffee Hour Discussion on “Food Deserts.” Millions of people in the US and around the world live in “food deserts,” areas where it’s hard or even impossible to find healthy food. These food deserts contribute to poor health outcomes, are a drag on our economy, and reinforce the worst effects of racism. Please read Report: More Than 11 Percent Of D.C. Is A Food Desert and join us.
- Dec. 6, Coffee Hour Discussion on the movie Condor and the Eagle (register to watch on one of these days before the discussion: https://www.uumfe.org/condor-eagle/#Host)
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Want to learn more about the issues Indigenous leaders face?
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Rev. Pippin recommends: As Long as Grass Grows
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Board President Jan Forsyth recommends: An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States (ReVisioning American History, #3)
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Native Land Digital is a Canadian not-for-profit organization which developed a map for people to learn more about indigenous territories, languages, and treaties around the world. They also provide critical thinking resources which are useful in interpreting map data. https://native-land.ca/
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- For parents and teachers: It can be difficult to know where to start in changing the narrative we teach young children about Native peoples. This resource provides guidance and tips for teaching children about Native Americans.
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Let us learn together, so we can act together, to create a more inclusive and anti-oppressive community that nurtures one another and our earth.
Upcoming events
What is environmental justice? Read one explanation here.
The Green Sanctuary, Social Justice and Racial Justice Committees invite you to explore the issue of sustainable waste management with us.