People of Color Don't Care About the Environment: A Panel Discussion

On a night that made Global Warming appear nonexistent (it was freezing outside), I attended a great panel discussion moderated by Simran Sethi of Sundance Channel's the Green in Manhattan. People of Color Don't Care About the Environment was filmed at the Society for Ethical Cultural.

The title itself was purposely fashioned to be tongue in cheek, as there are both people of color and those who work in communities of color, actively involved and engaged in environmental justice related issues.  It was full court floodlights, as the Sundance Channel filmed the event for their new web-based series called “The Good Fight.”   The new webisode program will launch on April 22 (Earth Day).

Len Burnett of the Uptown Media Group, the evening’s host, said that the event was in conjunction with Uptown Magazine's first philanthropy issue (total aside, the magazine is wonderful). He also felt that having a dialogue was important, especially to future generations.  "The youths set the trends in so many things.  If we inspire and teach young kids how the environment effects their lives, they will be the mavens for the community, and inspire the rest of the world."

Ms. Sethi currently teaches at the University of Kansas, and is an award winning environmental journalist.  She previewed an episode of "The Good Fight," which featured Greensburg, Kansas.  Greensburg is currently rebuilding after a devastating tornado, and is aspiring to become an environmental model for the nation with green buildings, wind power, and solar panel systems for homes. 

The conversation soon shifted to the larger moderated discussion.  Each panelist had some success stories, and admitted the challenges of being largely unheard voices within the environmental movement.  However, they shared with the audience ways that they have been able to make inroads within impoverished communities that have had to face environmental justice issues, despite having little media attention or a powerful lobby to enact change.  Topics included health disparities, pollution, toxic facility siting, and also the importance of exposing young people to gardens, and national parks.

The entire program can be viewed on Sundance Channel's website.

Here are some of the panelists with links:

• LUDOVIC BLAIN, Racial Justice Entrepreneur
• OMAR FREILLA, Green Worker Cooperatives of The South Bronx
• AUDREY PETERMAN, Founder- Earthwise Productions
• SHARON LEVINE, Concrete Safari, works with many children in East Harlem.

Sharon Levine and Omar Freilla The event also marked the  release of author/environmentalist Jarid Manos' book "GHETTO PLAINSMAN" (Temba House Press).  Jarid is Founder and CEO of Great Plains Restoration Council, which is leading the new Ecological Health movement.

Marques Toliver and Rex Detiger performed prior to the panel discussion.