There is an old west african proverb, “Sankofa” that roughly means “you cannot know where you are going unless you know where you come from.”
We are 8 years away from the 50th anniversary of Warren County, North Carolina where in 1982, a pivotal nonviolent protest erupted around a proposed hazardous waste landfill in a small, predominantly Black community. Since then, the environmental justice movement has grown to encompass communities across the United States who seek to ensure that those who are most impacted by climate change and the pollution that causes it have a say in the laws and policies that affect their everyday lives — that the injustices of the past are redressed and not repeated.
Every two years, hundreds of frontline and fenceline activists, allies, and accomplices convene at our Statewide EJ Summit to share stories and strategies for achieving a safer, cleaner, more vibrant future.
We have 3 goals this year:
1. Learn and contribute to the stories our environmental justice 'lineage' as it relates to injustice, strength, and triumph in our respective communities.
2. Vocalize and celebrate what is happening NOW towards the healthy world we are all fighting for and deserve.
3. Listen to and support the ideas of the near future and beyond.
Looking forward to seeing you all there!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Ayanna-Grace King at ayannagrace@michiganej.org