Environmental Justice Event set for 11/11/10
UPDATE:
Parking for off-campus visitors is available in Lot G.
To address the complex issues surrounding environmental racism, Wake Forest University will hold “My Neighborhood is Killing Me: Environmental Racism and a Call to Justice,” featuring Bennett College President Julianne Malveaux and Emmy-award winning journalist Simran Sethi.
The symposium, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Carswell Hall’s Annenberg Forum.
“Many of us are fortunate to live in safe, healthy neighborhoods, but others of us are downwind of factories, downstream of toxic dumping, or in areas without access to fresh and healthy foods,” says Alta Mauro, director of multicultural affairs. “Across the United States, racial minorities and the economically disenfranchised suffer disproportionally from the ill effects of assaults on the environment, and they often lack access to the power to protect their communities.”
Malveaux is a committed activist and civic leader. Her contributions to the public dialogue on issues such as race, culture, gender, and their economic impacts, are shaping public opinion in 21st-century America. An economist, she has held positions in women’s, civil rights, and policy organizations, and serves on the boards of the Economic Policy Institute, The Recreation Wish List Committee of Washington, D.C., and the Liberian Education Trust. Malveaux will specifically address racial issues and challenges to creating safe, healthy communities.
Sethi, described as an “environmental messenger” by Vanity Fair magazine, is the founding host/writer of Sundance Channel’s environmental programming “The Green” and the creator of the Sundance online series “The Good Fight,” highlighting environmental justice efforts and grassroots activism. She has contributed numerous segments to “Nightly News with Brian Williams,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “The Today Show,” CNBC, the History Channel and other television programs. She is an associate professor at the University of Kansas School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
“Environmental degradation knows no boundaries. An unhealthy environment affects us all,” says Director of Sustainability Dedee DeLongpré Johnston. “We hope this event will raise awareness and encourage people from all communities to take action and address these complex issues.”
Wake Forest Provost Jill Tiefenthaler will moderate the discussion. The event is sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Office of Sustainability.
For more information, contact Alta Mauro at mauroat@wfu.edu, 336.758.5227 or Dedee DeLongpré Johnston at johnstdm@wfu.edu, 336.758.3482