Franz Franta joins me to discuss the flooding in China and how poor dam infrastructure has lead damage to people and the planet. We talk about the record breaking hurricane season and how climate change has contributed to the increasingly destructive storms. Franz discusses her time living in Harbin and how a toxic spill reminded her of the current experience with the pandemic. Check out Franz's blog here.
Leslie Gordon from Urban Habitat talks with me about the housing crisis in Oakland, California and the Bay Area. We talk about the ways Urban Habitat is filling the gaps in the community through coalition building, leadership development, and public policy. We go in depth into land use, Community Land Trusts, and good old gentrification. Resources are below!
Rooted in Home: https://urbanhabitat.org/sites/default/files/Rooted%20in%20Home.pdf
Criminalization of Poverty: https://jotf.org/report/the-criminalization-of-poverty-how-to-break-the-cycle-through-policy-reform-in-maryland/
I'm joined by fellow HBCU alum Lavonya Jones to discuss her work with Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College. Building on the discussion about the gaps in education, we discuss the HBCUvc fellowship program and the ways Coach Jones has pushed the students she works with toward excellence. We reminisce on our time on campus and discuss how HBCUS are taking an active role in the fight for environmental justice.
In this case study episode, we're focusing on PFAS, Per- or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, and their impact on our water and health. We walk through the history of PFAS and their use in practically everything since the 1940's. I talk about the global impact these chemicals are having. I give flowers to Harriet Washington and give major props to the Environmental Working Group. Resources are below!
PFAS in drinking water, Environmental Working Group report: https://www.ewg.org/research/national-pfas-testing/
PFAS in outdoor clothing: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0045653517306598?via%3Dihub
PFAS and water filtration: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/du-nai020520.php
Tibetan Plateau Report: Chen, M., Wang, C., Wang, X., Fu, J., Gong, P., Yan, J., et al. (2019). Release of perfluoroalkyl substances from melting glacier of the Tibetan Plateau: Insights into the impact of global warming on the cycling of emerging pollutants. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 124, 7442–7456. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JD030566
The Teflon coverup:http://redgreenandblue.org/2018/08/22/yet-another-cover-3m-epa-knew-toxic-teflon-40-years/
In 2012, the police department of Camden, New Jersey was dissolved and reborn. Minneapolis is considering the same approach. In this case study, I talk about the history of policing, the differences between defunding and abolition the police, and my emerging ideas for community-based safety. This episode is a love letter to the Black and Missing Foundation and Angela Davis. Resources Below!
House Fire: https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2020/06/23/suspected-sex-trafficking-house-burned/
BAMFI Infographic: http://blackandmissinginc.com/cdad/images/BAMFI_Infographic_2018Stats.jpg
The Queen Speaks: Angela Davis: Abolishing police is not just about dismantling. It's also about building up
I chat with rising high-school senior Bailei Burgess-Simmons and Princeton-Blairstown Center CEO Pam Gregory to discuss the PBC's history and what drew them both to the program. We talk about the importance of exposure and emotional intelligence. For more information on the Princeton-Blairstown Center check out their website: www.princetonblairstown.org
Taking a look at the use of incinerators in the US and abroad. I discuss the Wheelabrator Incinerator in Baltimore, Maryland and discuss the global impact of greenhouse gases. I give flowers to the Baltimore City Council and give a science lesson on the Oxygen cycle. "Confessions" Usher was always my favorite. Resources are below!
EU incinerator use: https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/13/science/earth/13trash.html
Wheelabrator Incinerator: https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/environment/bs-md-trash-incinerator-pollution-20180820-story.html
The Oxygen Cycle: https://byjus.com/biology/oxygen-cycle-environment/#what-is-oxygen-cycle?
This is the first episode in the "Curated Convos" series sponsored by Radial Solutions. I chat with Beverly John and Carlean Ponder activists and residents of Prince George's County and Montgomery County in Maryland. We dive deep into the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and Public Information Act. We discuss what can be done on the local, state, national and global level to address police brutality.
Doing a dive into the Law Enforcement Officer's Bill of Rights and states with upcoming primaries. I'm angry. I'm sad. And it shows. Resources below.
Cariol Horne Fired cop says "I don't regret it" after stopping police officer from choking suspect
MD LEOBR: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2015/04/24/the-police-officers-bill-of-rights/
On May 19th, 2020 a dam in Midland County, Michigan collapsed causing massive flooding. I do a dive into the history of the Edenville Dam and discuss the environmental health issues impacting Michigan and the rest of the world. #Michigan #Flooding #MidlandCounty #science #water
Shoutouts: @blkpodcollective @buymelaninexp Resources:
https://www.ferc.gov/CalendarFiles/20180910172800-P-10808-058.pdf
The vision is within you. This episode, Brandy Brooks returns to discuss her radical vision for the future. We talk about the fears that prevent us from envisioning better outcomes for ourselves and our community. Brandy reminds us the importance of using our imagination and urges us to get involved at the local level. There's a book list and resources below!
DC Candidates
Janeese Lewis George, Candidate for DC Council Ward 4
@janeese4dc
Maryland Candidates
Dalbin Osorio, Candidate for Montgomery County Board of Education At-Large
@dalbinosorio
Pennsylvania Candidates
Rick Krajewski, Candidate for PA State House, 188th District
@rickforwestphilly
Nivil Saval, Candidate for PA State Senate, 1st District
Parable of the Sower/Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler
Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Marie Brown & her blog
Collective Courage by Jessica Gordon Nembhard
This Nonviolent Stuff'll Get You Killed by Charles E. Cobb Jr.
The drip is always on. This episode I'm walking through the water cycle. I explore how the current US legislation has become ineffective due to rollbacks and how we all need water to survive. Resources are below!
Water Cycle:
https://www.freedrinkingwater.com/resource-water-cycle-student-guide.htm
https://gpm.nasa.gov/education/water-cycle/hydrologic-cycle
Safe Drinking Water Act:
https://environmentallaw.uslegal.com/federal-laws/safe-drinking-water-act/
Groundwater contamination:
https://www.groundwater.org/get-informed/groundwater/contamination.html
In this case study episode, I discuss the environmental cases of Love Canal and Warren County, North Carolina. I walk through the legislation that came out of both of these cases and how they related to what we're experiencing today. Resources are below!
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act https://public.ornl.gov/sesa/environment/policy/rcra.html
Gibbs, L. M. (2011). Love Canal : And the Birth of the Environmental Health Movement: Vol. Updated ed., 2011 ed. Island Press.
"Down the Memory Hole" by David R. Henderson
Environmental Justice Groups Sue EPA
https://grist.org/justice/environmental-groups-sue-epa-over-reckless-response-to-coronavirus/
UDC Professor Seema Thomas and I talk about her background as an urban planner as well as how she prepares her urban sustainability students for the real world. We talk about the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and events happening at UDC. We discuss the challenges facing urban areas as we adjust to our new normal. Resources are below!
UDC Celebrates Earth Day https://www.udc.edu/earth-day-2020/
"Losing Ground" by Mark Dowie https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/losing-ground
Gentle Density https://www.brookings.edu/research/gentle-density-can-save-our-neighborhoods/
In this #NFTF episode, I talk to Ken Roc about COVID-19 inside the prison system. We discussed one of the many articles about the state of Mississippi and their measures for managing the virus.
I continued the discussion about COVID-19 with Doniel from DNH Hair Care. We talked about the healthcare system in the United States and how we as a black community can be better prepared for the unexpected. You better black-alize! Resources below!
The Justice Collaborative:
https://thejusticecollaborative.com/covid19/
The Rona by state: https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-state-by-state-guide-to-coronavirus-lockdowns-11584749351
This episode touches on the coronavirus from a social justice perspective. I touch on racism and xenophobia toward Asian Americans, and the impact pandemics and other social disruptions have on the black community. For the most current information on the virus, please visit the CDC's website. Resources from the show are below.
Bigotry against Asian Americans https://abcnews.go.com/US/backlash-asians-hinder-efforts-coronavirus-expert/story?id=69556008
Myths about coronavirus https://newsone.com/3910125/coronavirus-black-people-debunking-myths/
Coronavirus timeline https://abcnews.go.com/Health/timeline-coronavirus-started/story?id=69435165
Racial disparity in homelessness https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/what-causes-homelessness/inequality/
Sending out an S.O.S for The National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). I'm discussing why this policy is important and the proposed changes that will have whales smoking cigarettes (allegedly). Resources are below!
Proposed changes to NEPA: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/CEQ-2019-0003-0012-2.pdf
Environmental Justice for All Act: https://naturalresources.house.gov/imo/media/doc/Environmental%20Justice%20for%20All%20Act%20Bill%20Text.pdf
I talked to father and life coach Ken "Ken Roc" Thompson about the links between mass incarceration and the environment. Incarceration is an environmental justice issue, and Ken discusses the barriers he will face when he is finally released and what keeps him dreaming big. His book "You Can Still be D.A.D." was published this year and available on Amazon! Resources as always, are below!
"Doing Time on the Outside" by Donald Braman
"Are Prisons Obsolete?" https://collectiveliberation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Are_Prisons_Obsolete_Angela_Davis.pdf
First Notes from the Field episode of the year! I pulled up at Fullfillery in Takoma Park to talk with the owners about their journeys to reduce their waste and their fave products at the store. We talk about climate change, food waste, and the myths behind the zero waste movement. Resources are below!
https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/12/1/16718844/green-consumers-climate-change
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