the partnership for onondaga creek is a voice for the midland community and the environment...
TRANSCRIPT
The Partnership for Onondaga Creek
is a voice for the Midland Community
and the environment advocating for
better, nonpolluting solutions for Onondaga Creek.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
The Golden Rule for toxics and waste….
Put into others’ backyards
only what you would put into your own.
We all see something different when we look out of our
windows….
On Blaine Street, They saw green
space…They saw
neighbors they could trust…
They cared about their community…
No one wanted to move…
TodayThis is the view from a Blaine Street window….
Except now, there is no view.
The residents were evicted from their homes.
The windows are covered.
The Blaine Street neighborhood is (was) predominately African-
American and low income.
No one wanted to move…
A Sewage Plant is being built
across the street…
You may ask…
Is this really discrimination?
Is this really injustice?
Let’s be honest and look to our own experiences ...
How many white, suburban,
or high income neighborhoods are
SHUT DOWN?
SHUT DOWN…
Shut Down…
What Research tells us…
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST’S COMMISSION FOR RACIAL JUSTICE, 1993 UPDATE:
“The percentage of people of color remains three to five times higher
in areas with the highest concentrations
of commercial hazardous waste facilities ...”
Again….
Number of People ofColor
Areas WITH Hazardous WasteAreas WITHOUT Hazardous Waste
three to fivetimes higher…
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION, 1990:
“Three out of every five African
Americans and Latinos
live in communities where toxic waste sites are located.”
That’s 60%
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, 1990:
“Racial minority and low-income populations experience higher than
average exposures to selected air pollutants,
hazardous waste facilities, contaminated fish,
and agricultural pesticides.”
Selected Studies of Racial and Income
Disparities in the Distribution of Environmental
Hazards, 1967 – 1993
From Benjamin A. Goldman, “Not Just Prosperity, Achieving Sustainability with Environmental Justice,” Washington, DC,
National Wildlife Federation, 1993
RACIAL RACIAL INEQUALITIES
AND UNFAIR BURDENS IN MINORITY
COMMUNITIESOF
Pesticide Exposure, Air Pollution,
Toxic Releases,And Hazardous Waste Sites
WERE FOUNDIN
87% OF THE STUDIES.
If you are person of color, you are likely to be at risk from environmental hazards.
LET’S BE CLEAR ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
CONCERNS
THIS IS NOT “JUST ANOTHER” NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) ISSUE.
The community accepts that they will have to bear the impact of needed sewage improvements.
The proposed sewage plant (RTF) is Not acceptable In Anybody’s Backyard.
Underground storage and sewer separation is a better solution.
The community must have an active and effective role in deciding what will be built.
Let’s GetIt
Right…
For the Community,
For Civil Rights,
For the Next Generations.