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Why Intersectional Environmentalism is Essential
Written by Miles Lindsey | September 25, 2020
đź“·Miles Lindsey
What is intersectional environmentalism and how does one even begin to conceptualize this idea?
Let me introduce you to Du Bois, the father of the term double consciousness and black literature. W.E.B. DuBois is a prolific black scholar in the history or racial philosophy and black thought. In an article published in The Crisis Du Bois recounts his experience staying in the Idlewild, a small resort town in Michigan. He published the piece in 1921, the year of the Tulsa Race riots and the declaration of peace with Germany to end WWI. In his piece Hopkinsville, Chicago, and Idlewild, DuBois begins to articulate the beauty of his surrounding, the contrasting scenery of city and sprawl, but more pointedly writes, “not for one moment in finding joy of life, absolute freedom from the desperate cruelty of the color line and for the wooing of the great silence which is peace and deep contentment.” In his language you read his ability to breathe, absolve himself from the cruelties of this world and admire the power of the earth. The environment has the ability to give us an escape and the ability to find serenity even within a nation of civil unrest.
The introduction to Dubois may not be the best way to introduce one into environmentalism, however the power the environment holds in one’s subconscious continues to present a pattern across time. Dubois was and continues to be a scholar on topics such as: racial hierarchy, wealth gap, capitalism, and the list continues.
His fight for black visibility transcends through his words but we still have to ask the question; who is affected the most when the environment is in peril?
One can look to historical patterns, ie, slavery, genocide, mass incarceration, to make the assumption that it is maybe communities of color that are the ones most affected in this instance of environmental injustice.
We can give the example of the Dakota Access Pipeline or the Flint Water crisis, as black and brown communities were those most affected by the changes to their own environment. Further, it is not just enough to be knowledgeable about inequalities or the wavering access to just the outdoors, it’s about understanding the power in which the environment holds and how we have the ability to amplify voices that have been fighting for equality in this field before “trending” was a common word in the human vernacular.
“Further, it is not just enough to be knowledgeable about inequalities or the wavering access to just the outdoors, it’s about understanding the power in which the environment holds and how we have the ability to amplify voices that have been fighting for equality in this field before “trending” was a common word in the human vernacular.”
The bridge between racial inequality and environmental injustice presents barriers that are far greater than just a knowledge base. Historically, especially during the formation of the suburbs (during the urban sprawl of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s) housing communities for persons of color were built on unstable ground, next to landfills, or oil plants, in tandem with defected material and resources used to build these structures. What this does is not only create a cycle when thinking about racism, but also creates a perpetual cycle that contributes to the degradation of the environment. This bridges the systemic issues as one. When one is covert in their racism through the structural formation of our neighborhoods, roads, public spaces, plumbing, grocery stores etc.. they are complicit in the state sanctioned murder to the citizens of our nation. This is seen through the lens of our healthcare systems: asthma, lead poisoning, higher rates of obesity. The trickle down effect begins to widen and the inequalities have been and continue to – bleed actual blood – as lives have been lost.
Now the question to ask is how to change this all? How do we rectify this?
There is no concrete answer but one has to begin to do the research themself. The internet is a privilege and if you’re reading this, chances are you can create a new tab and ask google “what is environmental racism?,” even so, the process is never easy. Follow the likes of Green Girl Leah, Vanessa Nakate, Genesis Butler, or Marie Beech, or go to your local library URL and ask your librarian, ask friends, family members, educators. Be eager to take in new information and become a part of the movement. We all want the environment to still lend itself to tranquility like it did for Du Bois. Let the environment, years from now, still provide us with “peace and contentment.”
meet the author
Miles Lindsey
Miles Lindsey is an avid hiker, writer, lover of sociological theory, and runner. He currently lives in D.C., eats a lot of Krispy Kreme, and enjoys both city life and falling off the grid. He currently work as a case manager, hopefully on his way to receiving his LICSW.
ecomadic 
Excellent article. The depth and knowledge of this piece is one of the best I read
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Miles: Thank you for this beautifully written article about Intersectional environmentalism. You’ve provided some great, tangible examples I can use to begin a conversation with family and friends on what we CAN do to raise our consciousness and become a part of the movement! – Joan Guthrie
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