As the movement faces new challenges, we are reflecting on our history to draw inspiration from environmental justice leaders past and present. That is why we want to share with you this storymap we created for Black History Month that explores the Black history of the environmental justice movement. This storymap honors and celebrates the individuals, organizations, movements, culture, and resilience of Black communities, and their work to achieve environmental justice.
The storymap celebrates the Black history of the EJ movement from the 1960s to today, uplifting work both in local communities and federal policy. It features leaders like Benjamin Chavis Jr., Peggy Shepard, Vernice Miller-Travis, Dana Alston, Hazel Johnson, Dr. Beverly Wright, and Dr. Robert Bullard, who have been instrumental in the fight against environmental racism and the effort to empower the communities they represent. Their tireless work continues to drive the movement forward, ensuring that the voices of those most impacted are heard and that progress is made toward an equitable and sustainable environment for all. Check out the storymap here.
Many of the executive orders, agencies, councils, and programs featured in the storymap were recently overturned or undermined by the Trump administration. The discriminatory efforts of the current administration - including vilifying Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and environmental justice - are regressive, predatory, and unconstitutional, aiming to undo the long-fought for and urgent policies shaped by Black leaders and allied movement builders across race, gender, sexuality, ability, and age.
It is more important than ever that we remember why this movement is essential, the important work of great leaders to improve our world, and the responsibility of each of us to carry environmental justice forward.Donate to WE ACT today to defend environmental justice.
