Title: Environmental Justice
Author:
Simone Charles & AJ Cuevas
Section/SPIG: Environment
Issue Date:
Seldom Recognized Environmental Justice Forefather – A Social Media Dialogue
When you think of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Among many great things, he was a son, a father, a husband, a member of Alpha Pi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, a civil rights activist. He is also considered, by many, to be the grandfather of the environmental justice movement in the United States of America. Dr. King was dedicated to equality and nonviolence that shaped the social justice backdrop of the United State during the height of the civil rights movement.
In 1968, Dr. King went on a mission to Memphis to help striking garbage workers to obtain
environmental and economic justice. These workers were fighting for better pay and better
working conditions. This work of Dr. King was one of the sparks for the contemporary
environmental justice movement that has become a public health justice movement for
underserved and socially and economically disadvantaged communities and populations. Dr.
King’s work in the civil rights movement, his fight for social and economic justice, and demands
for equal rights for everyone provided a strong foundation and blueprint for positive social
change for the environmental justice movement of the 21st Century.
The importance of EJ to all aspects of life was recognized, expanded and formalized at
the federal level with the signing of the “Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental
Justice and Executive Order 12898" in August 2011. As quoted by EPA Administrator Lisa
P. Jackson, "All too often, low-income, minority and Native Americans live in the shadows of
our society's worst pollution, facing disproportionate health impacts and greater obstacles to
economic growth in communities that can't attract businesses and new jobs. Expanding the
conversation on environmentalism and working for environmental justice are some of my top
priorities for the work of the EPA, and we're glad to have President Obama's leadership and the
help of our federal partners in this important effort. Every agency has a unique and important
role to play in ensuring that all communities receive the health and environmental protections
they deserve. Our broad collaboration will mean real progress for overburdened communities"
(See citation below). “The Memorandum of Understanding helps integrate environmental justice
into the missions of Federal agencies, demonstrating our commitment to ensuring America truly
is a country of equal opportunity for all" quoted White House Council on Environmental Quality
Chair Nancy Sutley. These statements exemplify the spirit of Dr. King’s vision.
On August 28, 2011, a dedication ceremony was to take place in Washington, D.C., at
the newly erected monument in honor of Dr. King. The dedication had been planned as
a culmination of events on the 48th anniversary of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream…" speech.
However, Hurricane Irene swept through Washington, forcing a postponement. The
Environmental Justice Committee of the APHA Environmental Section was not dissuaded and continued its commemorative online guided
conversation that began the week of August 22 via Facebook and Twitter. The conversation
was focused on the impact of MLK on the contemporary environmental justice movement
and the lessons can we use from his leadership to advance an environmental justice agenda
for public health, social change, equal opportunity, and community empowerment in the 21st
Century.
The discussion opened with a survey of the online responders goers about how might
the King monument help raise awareness about environmental justice and the intersection of
civil rights with environmental justice. Many responses revolved around creating new programs
and initiatives inspired by honoring Dr. King’s lifetime EJ efforts. Facebook users shared powerful thought descriptions like, “the EJ movement is a grassroots movement--many activists
today marched during the height of the civil rights movement and others were teens and kids
watching their parents, family members, and neighbors put their lives on the line for them and
the next generation.” Other comments included “the fight for environmental justice is at its core
an outgrowth of the civil rights movement” and “I think [Dr.] King would be proud to see the
grassroots organizers fighting for environmental justice, proud to see them fighting for their
health, their communities, and access to positive economic opportunities.” This response took
many of us back to remembering that our parents and family members took part in many of the
movements that were geared to protect us.
We asked cyber participants, “what do you think Dr. King would say about the lack of good
housing stock in many urban communities, poor mass transit and transportation infrastructure,
inequities in zoning and planning, and lack of safe potable water supplies for many underserved
and poor residents?” sparked insightful responses including that of one responder that
stated “I can't help to think that he would be a little disillusioned as to the progress of the EJ
movement…seeing the changes are sometimes a slow gradual process.” Other responders
stated, “I think he would get right back into step and begin to organize!” and “We learn that
addressing injustices requires collaborative involvement”.
When asked about Dr. King’s perspective of health disparities in the US today, responders felt
that “he would say it takes a community of like-minded individuals to combat health disparities.
More people need to get involved and realize that health disparities are real and affect all [of] us
in subtle and harsh ways” and that we need to “keep working toward the goals of equality and
fairness...and good health for all”.
In closing, one FB member posted this inspiring comment: “we learn that injustices anywhere,
whether environmental or civil, threaten justice everywhere…and push for change!” I don’t
believe the focus of the MLK monument and the work of Dr. King could be expressed any
better.
***Please note that the commemorative discussion hasn’t ended! It has been finally
confirmed that the make up date will be Sunday, Oct. 16. Please feel free to continue
to add to the conversation.
Login information:
Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/groups/116693708428263/)
Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/EJusticeAPHA).
You can also search for the EJ Pages on both media sites using the following email address:
aphaejcommittee@gmail.com.
If you have any questions or have any trouble logging into the conversation, please email
us (AJ Cuevas or Simone Charles) at aphaejcommittee@gmail.com. Please use the subject
heading “MLK & EJ Conversation”.
Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Justice and Executive Order 12898: http://
epa.gov/environmentaljustice/resources/publications/interagency/ej-mou-2011-08.pdf