Environmental Justice and Taking Action
by Alissa Maldonado

Instead of spending my spring break vacationing I choose to enroll in a week long course titled “Cross Cultural Issues in Environmental Justice: Learning Through Listening.”I took this course in order to get the last few credits for my sociology minor.When I enrolled in it I thought it would be a quick three credits but, in time I came to realize that there really is a lot of work and dedication that is required.Before taking this class I was a little confused between environmental justice and environmental injustice.Throughout the period of the course I came to realize the environmental justice does not always have one set definition.It can have numerous meanings depending on how you look at it.I have come to view environmental justice as the principle “right” of all individuals and nature to be protected from environmental degradation.During the week of the course we spent time interviewing stakeholders from numerous backgrounds surrounding environmental issues that have effected people in Oregon and continue to trouble many communities who don’t always have a voice.This class was a very unique learning experience which usually took up 13-14 hours of each day.Needles to say it was very physically and mentally draining.Spending so much time with a group of people can become troublesome over time.Throughout the week I experienced many different personalities and had the opportunity to get to know my classmates on a much different level then I would have in a normal classroom setting.One major theme for the course was TEAMWORK.Everything was done as a group therefore it was very important that we worked together to accomplish our tasks.During various times of the week each student had the opportunity to be an active listener, facilitator, recorder, and presenter.During the week we did have our times where we were not working as a team and we would take a moment to rethink things and figure out a way that we could come together as a whole.

 

Here we are on the very first day taking a picture with Lani Roberts.Hey
Where is DwainPlaza??????

While facilitating I had the opportunity to lead the discussion with two different stakeholders.

My personal favorite was Jeri Sundovol whom was from EJAG (Environmental Justice Action

Group).EJAG focuses on taking action in communities who may not have a voice.

The class posing for another picture after our discussion with Jeri Sundovol.

"The community that educates and speaks out for itself can best protect itself."

Our final presentation took place at the Westminister House and we had several of the stakeholders

joined us as we shared what we had learned over the week. 

Another group that focused on taking action was called PACE-EH.We were fortunate 

enough to have Kevin Odell and Charles Bishop speak with our class about the importance 

of educating the community and taking action.

PACE-EH

 

I f you want to find out more about taking ACTION with environmental justice issues there are numerous different groups you can check out.Taking action happens through community involvement in decision making. 

Anderson Economic Group, Environmental Justice

Environmental Justice

Fighting Environmental Racism: A Selected Annotated Bibliography

Working Group on Environmental Justice

Link to Oregon State University