Environmental Justice and Social Equity

To be honest, I never have considered the question "Do minorities care about the environment." In fact, I after reading the essay by Robert Bullard, "People-of-Color Environmentalism", I still think it is a stupid question. A more intelligent way of looking at it is the resources and abilities people, not just minorities, have for making a difference. This may just show my ignorance on this aspect of sustainability, but since when is environmentalism about "check writing, paying dues, and membership in environmental organizations?" I'd like to talk to who ever came up with that definition... I have heard many definitions of sustainability and environmentalism and I have NEVER heard any mention of money. To me, sustainability and environmentalism are what results from people caring about their environment and community. People can show they care through avenues such as donating to the next green project. But they can also be less obvious than that. For example, recycling, educating others, being educated consumers. I'm almost a little offended by this reading, I'm not a minority and I have never written a check. Well, I am a member of the Ecological Society of America but I was a member long before I knew the definition of sustainability.  One last thing on this essay, I think the grass roots movement is a more down to earth way for people to express themselves than through money. And people definitely have a right to breath clean air! I totally agree with that.

"Domesticating urban space" by Dolores Hayden, was similar to the previous article in that I never thought of 'woman's rights' as being linked to sustainability and environmentalism. Woman's issues aside, I think feeling safe is an issue for everyone. Women and children are in as much need for a social atmosphere as men, and all those needs should be addressed as much as possible by the city and transportation planners.

I think our in class exercise summarizes "Fighting poverty and environmental injustice in cities" and Rosland's "Housing and Community Development." Most interesting to me is how much resistance to equitable cities comes from other, better off, citizens. This, to me, is an example of what is opposite of sustainability. In the previous readings, we are talking about how the 'majority' are the people who are acting more environmentally, this reading, seems to contradict that. (Which is probably another reason why I was so confused by the previous readings). I think a lot of cities are trying but the "not in my back yard" way of thinking is excluding people... not just nuclear power plants (which is a little more understandable."  In addition, it seems to me that people like to blame the government for the reasons why things aren't working but perhaps people should consider their own communities a little closer.