By Mars Keith
Black History Month has ended, but that doesn't mean we should stop celebrating Black people. We must continue to honor the incredible contributions of Black Americans to the cultural, social, and political landscape of this country and also reflect on how these contributions intersect with our ongoing fight for environmental justice and slowing down the climate crisis.
Black American history has been long intertwined with the land. From forced labor on plantations during slavery to the displacement of Black communities, land has been a source of both oppression and resilience. Through this, Black people have continuously fought for the right to clean air, water, and land; whether it be struggling for farmland post-emancipation or today’s battle for environmental justice in communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change.
Black leaders have been at the forefront of the environmental justice movement. From Hazel Johnson, the 'Mother of The Environmental Justice Movement', who led the fight against toxic pollution in Chicago’s south side; to the Bay Area’s very own Marie Harrison, who dedicated decades of work to the Bayview around environmental justice and youth advocacy; Black people have a rich legacy of leadership in the EJ space.
Low-income communities and especially communities of color often bear the brunt of environmental degradation, from hazardous waste sites to air pollution. The fight for environmental justice is inherently tied to the larger movement for civil rights and equality. We must acknowledge how historical injustices have shaped the environment landscape for Black communities, and recognize the importance of ensuring that future generations can live in safe and healthy environments.
At the SF Bay Chapter, we have been talking about how we show up for our communities, especially communities of color, and how we address both acute crises and chronic inequalities through our organizing work, coalitions, and support. Within the current circumstance of accelerating climate destabilization and a challenging political situation, these conversations have developed greater urgency. We invite you to actively participate in this work:
- Volunteer with the Sierra Club to help make our work more just and equitable
- Support Black-led environmental justice organizations
- Learn more about the contributions of Black environmentalists
Whatever you do to continue the work of Black History Month, we hope you’ll use it as motivation to work towards true environmental justice.