Environmental Justice Is Racial Justice: Reflecting on the Past & Embracing a Brighter, Cleaner Future

June 26, 2023

Environmental justice is racial justice. We cannot have one without the other. 

Last week, we as a nation celebrated Juneteenth — a day commemorating the freedom of the last enslaved Americans, who received news of the end of slavery two and a half years after it was made law through the Emancipation Proclamation.

It is a day that invites us to reflect more deeply on the ways that Black communities and other marginalized communities have historically been left behind and neglected in the face of the most significant moments of our time.

What would the world look like if we listened more closely to those most harmed by injustice?

Environmental Disparity in the Bay Area

BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) populations are more likely to have to live in densely packed neighborhoods that experience heavy levels of pollution and that are deprioritized in care — putting them at a disproportionately higher risk of exposure to, and premature death from, air pollution. Additionally, these populations often lack access to the benefits of clean energy developments, air filtration, and healthcare. The burdens of pollution are not distributed equally across society.

Everyone has the right to clean air — not just those who have the resources to avoid the effects of climate change. It is crucial that we elevate the experiences that hold valuable insights into how we can begin to unravel systemic climate issues and come to community-led solutions. The most-impacted voices must be centered in this fight. It is the only way forward.

What Brightline Is Doing to Advance Racial & Environmental Equity

At Brightline Defense, we’re making sure frontline communities — people of color, people with low incomes, and residents in Single Room Occupancy (SRO) hotels — who have so often been excluded from decision-making processes, are at the forefront of the urgent and everyday work of combating the climate crisis in the Bay Area and beyond.

To ensure environmental policies are shaped by what Californians are experiencing every day, our team is providing frontline communities with the tools to advocate for environmental justice. By attending our workshops, people can learn how to navigate the public comment process, speak to policymakers directly about their needs, and gain the necessary skills to collectively push for a healthier neighborhood, state, and planet.

Join Us in the Fight for Clean Air

By acknowledging the injustices of the past, we lay the groundwork for a better future. And while we celebrate how far we’ve come, it’s essential that we remain more committed than ever before to the ongoing work toward racial and environmental equity. We hope you will join us.

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