Reflections 1 and 2

Reflection 1

Cameron Gordon

Climate Justice Digital Activism and Gender in Louisiana

Professor Roberts-Gregory

Date: 1/16/19

Prior to enrolling in this course, I, embarrassingly, had little to no information about the environment as a whole. Nonetheless, the ways in which gender and media tie into these complex and deeply rooted problems regarding the environment in today’s society. However, after a few readings I feel that I have learned so much more in such a short time, especially from the Merchant Dankelman, and Geraldine readings.  These readings informed of the staggering vulnerability tethered to women in environmental crises and role of racism in environmental planning as a whole. Through the readings I learned how much toxic colonialism, the notion of “voting with their feet”, and grassroot groups all can amount to an understanding of these issues as a whole. Toxic colonialism is the purposeful placement of institutions harboring toxic waste in impoverished areas inhabited by people of color. These people of color suffer due to their inability to “vote with their feet,” meaning, the ability to physically move away from these places do to a variety of circumstances. In order to combat these issues, grassroots organizations, especially those in the Gulf regions where environmental racism and gender discrimination are at large.

I was first surprised at the role racism plays in environment planning, but the surprise soon evolved into disbelief as I came to learn that it is reinforced by fundamental societal institutions such as the government and judiciary systems. To make matters worse, the air pollution, water pollution, sewage systems, and infrastructure are both physically and metaphorically suffocating the plethora of people of color that inhabit these environmentally unsound areas, as the planning boards that control these areas are usually commandeered by white men; which ultimately leaves the voices of those who actually inhabit these silenced. I was also intrigued to learn that apart from being a global human issue, climate change particularly and disproportionately plagues women, especially in the face of disaster.

Reflection 2

Cameron Gordon

Climate Justice Digital Activism and Gender in Louisiana

Professor Roberts-Gregory

Date: 1/22/19

This week’s readings revolved around the inequities that marginalized communities are subjected to  in the era of climate change, specifically, women and African/African Americans. In Mersha’s article, Black lives and climate justice: courage and power in defending communities and Mother Earth,  regarding Black lives and climate justice, global efforts to better the lives of black communities around the world, such as, Nigeria, Haiti, and Honduras to name a few, are discussed in detail. Mersha explains that her in depth discussion is especially relevant due to the fact in tandem with the racism that plagues these communities, from an environmental perspective, these communities are also being negatively affected as they are contributing to the many problems within the climate and environment; yet they are the most affected. Despite this, efforts are being taken within these communities to combat environmental hazards. For instance, training sessions, plans for eco-villages, urban farms, community run urban gardens, and land reclamation, are all community driven efforts to  inform locals, and raise awareness, while making eco-friendly initiatives.

Similarly, other readings from this week discuss the disproportionate effects of environmental crises on women. Prior to this week’s reading I was unaware of the role reproduction, gender norms, and sexism play into the global and multifaceted relationship between women and the environment. By pairing what I have learned from this week’s readings in the context of race and gender, I am able to gain a greater understanding of how intersectionality plays a role on individuals, especially female women of color, as we all attempt to navigate the environmental challenges that touch all corners of the Earth.