A Toast to the Environment...

The day began with students hearing from many presenters. Some touched on various topics from Dirty Energy Choices, Environmental Justice, and Communication Skills. I wanted to know what a first time student, got from the presentations.

Which presenter was most interesting?

" Darryl Haddock gave several interesting lessons on environmental injustice and how it negatively impacts low income and colored communities.  Not only was Mr. Haddock informative, but he really communicated with the participants in a fun way.  It was easy to laugh along with him and he made his lessons easy to comprehend and at the same time chock full of wonderful information. "-Nhi Tran

What made their presentation better than any of the others that you saw?

" Mr. Haddock's presentations were very eye opening and for me, it was like a slap of reality.  The demonstrations of the communities that have been impacted by pollution and illegal dumping has really made me realize how large scale these problems are.  At the same time, his teachings have truly inspired me to change communities for the better, even if it is something as simple as picking up trash, because no one in any place should live in a trash filled dump where they are at a higher risk for physical diseases and psychological diseases. "-Nhi Tran

Was there anything they could have worked on to make it better?

" There is only one thing I can suggest, and that is better time management.  Usually we have everything planned out but sometimes it goes a little off course.  For example, when we visited the creek, he planned for us to measure the size, flow, and appearance of the creek; however, it took a little too long and we could not complete what we had planned to do. "-Nhi Tran


Earlier today we did a toxic tour of Atlanta and saw areas impacted not by just pollution but by political factors that cause people to be moved out of their homes as known with the Bowen Homes area. I asked a first time student how she felt about what she saw...

How did you feel about the abandoned apartment houses filled with trash?

"Reading the words, 'Save Me' spray painted on the side of the buildings really made me sad. It made me realize that people who lived there were torn from their houses that they loved and cherished. Also, seeing how poorly people treated the property ,by throwing trash, couches, clothes and even hot tubs in the back of the apartments made me realize how much we need to help our community. "-Demia Tucker

what would you have done if this were your neighborhood?

"If this was my neighborhood, I would do everything in my power to clean it up. I would ask the news, and reporters to come out and let the world know what was going on. Also, I would ask people in and out of the community to help clean it up. I would not  let this be unknown. "-Demia Tucker

I talked to a woman in the area about why she was moving. She said that the area was falling to waste and that she needed to move after 4 months. Would you have moved if you were in her shoes?

"I would try to help the buildings first, as stated in my previous answer. If I don't have any cooperation, after trying hard to repair the neighborhood, then yes,I would move before I am forced out."-Demia Tucker



Just getting back from the environmental justice dinner where we had a number of people receiving accolades, but after the dinner I sat down and interviewed Alex Grayned to talk about what she got out the series of events. Here' s what she has to say:

Who did you sit with at your table?

" Imran Battla who was an interesting person who was so passionate about his environment.  "-Alex Grayned

What did you like about the Dinner?

" I liked the encouraging and passionate speeches delivered by the presenters that demonstrated the need and demand for people who are deeply concerned about their environment. "-Alex Grayned

How has what Mustafa said impacted your life?

" Mustafa stated that communities need environmental justices in more ways than one , and that communities needed to be more involved regarding the environment around them.   "-Alex Grayned

I even managed to talk to Marcus Penny of Retrofitting A Million and ask him a few questions on his work:

All in all today was a great day in the world of Environmental Justice just check it out!