True to This
Whoa.
We had a beautiful conversation on Saturday about environmental justice. Here's the recording.
Midway through the walk, I was imagining -- what would happen if Black women were on the front lines of the climate marches?
Then, we opened up the phone lines for ya'll to speak, and boom.
The caller was like "Hello?"
She was from FEMA.
Dee, a Black woman from Maryland had genuine love in her voice as she lifted up the work of Black women heroes on the frontlines of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. She explained that so many of their emergencies are environmental -- floods and hurricanes and earthquakes and pandemics.
Black women are there.
On the ground.
Serving.
Brave.
She explained that she joined GirlTREK and organized all of her FEMA sisters to take an extra walk after their long shifts -- to process, breathe, recover.
It was fascinating.
Y'all.
We are building a powerful movement.
And it is clear.
Black women have always been on the frontlines of environmental justice.
Complete the sentence...
"We ain't new to this, we ______________."
We are daughters of the Earth. Loyal lovers. Stewards of soil. Some say our ancestors could fly.
So, of course our activism looks different.
We arrived to this continent from lush villages with seeds braided in our hair.
When they carved out their maps for land ownership, we tilled the soil to feed our babies. We grew indigo and sweetgrass to stop erosion; rice and yam to nourish a nation.
At the turn of the century, when adventurers hiked Denali, Black women like Ida B. Wells went deep into southern forests to hold vigils for freedom fighters.
And as our friends raise signs to march in climate protest, Dee, a GirlTREK member, and her band of sisters are rescuing people from floods.
We are built different.
And now...
I'm asking you to do something different.
Address the issues on your city block.
Rise up with us.
We are facing unprecedented disparity with corporate pollution, unfair zoning and toxic environments. Our children's lives depend on the bravest readers here to take action now.
I wrote a different email last night that had good statistics -- I'll read it here -- but this morning, I wanted to get to the point.
Take action.
Start by watching this video.
It had me tore up a few years ago.
Like, dang I got to do something!
These young people are brave.
Then, I'd like to introduce you to Pam.
She's your sister.
Here's what she's done in her community.
Now.
You.
If you want to volunteer for a pilot group of 15 women who will work directly with us -- and Pam -- to improve the built and natural environment of your city block, please respond to this note with your name and email address.
We'll help you.
That's what I want to say.
Less talk. More walk.
Looking forward to The Liberation Line tomorrow. Please lace up and join us each Saturday at 9AM EST! The number's the same. Dial: (646) 876-9923 Code: 734464325# (+16468769923,,734464325#).
Tomorrow's Special Guest is everybody's homegirl Aisha Nyandro.
Her expertise: ending poverty.
Dr. Aisha is the CEO of Springboard To Opportunities, a nonprofit focused on helping residents of affordable housing become economically independent.
Her work is .
Tell somebody.
There's a meeting in the ladies room every Saturday morning. Be there or be corny on the couch. Ha. I ain't messing with y'all.
Love you.
M (&V)
P.S. This email is dedicated to all the baby girls who want to play outside in fresh air. 'Cause asthma ain't natural. ...and pollution is racial violence. We're on it. We are a powerful sisterhood.