Saving the World (Starting With the South Bronx)

When people ask me what I do for a living, my short answer is, "I'm working to save the world, starting in the South Bronx."

Yes, the South Bronx is a poor Latino and Black community in New York City. At first glance, we don't have much in common with families living in Appalachian coal country, or wealthy women in the suburbs. But when you realize that all of us have suffered from environmental toxins invading our lives, whether it was the deliberate act of regulators allowing toxic facilities in a poor communities because it was the path of least resistance, or that our energy needs must be met at any cost, or that cancer clusters that crop up, you begin to see just how small the world is.

My work in the South Bronx is about transforming its physical landscape to improve our environmental, economic and social quality of life and serve as a symbol of transformation for all people. Because if you can do it there, it can happen anywhere.

People around the world are victims of intentionally bad environmental planning and policies, sometimes people just didn't know any better. But now we do, and I am a part of a community that changes things. And by community, I don't mean people in a geographic area or an online group. I mean that community is an activity, the responsibility that you use to make the world safer and happier for all. You should join us.

Comments

[cowgirly]

Majora has been nominated as one of Beliefnet's "Most Inspiring People of the Year"-- give the lady some votes!
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/225/story_22557_1.html

[aznurse]

I remember when Pope John came to the US for the first time. I think it was in the 70's and prayed at some abandoned torn up buildings in the south bronx. The area was in the news for almost a week. Everyone felt real bad about how neglected the bronx had been but then we moved on. I was young enough to think the Pope had some kind of magical powers and things would change. Maybe now is the time for its change. I wish you well and will pay attention to what I can do to help.

[NoPCZone]

Saw your Ted presentation some time back and was flat blown away. If only the world had more people with the drive, intellect, spirit and sensitivity to social justice that you seem to possess.

Please let those of us outside of NYC know what we can do to turn the heat up on the city and state governments to help you Green the Ghetto.

Peace

[luvtruth]

Oh Majora, the planet is so blessed by your spirit and love.

[Melkor]

I have an idea to help you save the South Bronx - sue the New York Yankees for a billion dollars and use the profits to build new park land. I'm not sure if you know, because the media largely ignored the story, the city government basically gave away the South Bronx park lands for the New York Yankees to build a new stadium on.

Actually they are using a lot of the park land for a new car park - more pollution for an already badly polluted area. All the local politicians (brown and black included) were in on the scam. It was an ugly piece of disenfranchisement straight out of a Steinbeck novel.

I used to run in that park. The Mexicans and Africans used to play football there. The Dominicans used to play baseball. A lot of the remaining local whites (who didn't hightail it) used to jog. It was the most beautiful part of a local community that hasn't fared well in the last few decades.

And for what - so a bunch of moneyed white people from New Jersey, Upstate New York and Manhattan don't have to use the subway train on their way to baseball games that only they can afford. Meanwhile their parks are safe, and their kids don't have to breath chunks of smog.

Excuse this rant, but as a black person, a liberal and a former South Bronx resident, this issue is close to my heart. You want to see the ugly side to America? Check out this story.

http://saveourparks.blogspot.com/

[maddogbitesback]

I really like your article. I have been working to save the world for decades. I do little things on my own like write this response. I work with groups. Somegroups are local and some are international. I write lots of letters to lots of politicians. I find I am actually wealthier and a lot happier. I feel like a soldier who has been in battle forever. But I see a ray of light at the end of the tunnel now. I am no longer the nutcase. I am the one who was right.

So how did I figure out what to do. Well a lot of stuff is just economic sense and some is a whistle and a prayer and some is giving back.

I don't feel guilty about wasting useless energy on stuff I don't need or even want. My life is easier without it and I have money to give to charity. I just talked a contractor into redoing a home belonging to a very poor person. He will do it and take the credit and someone will be living in a brighter, more comfortable home. Most people have something to do for the community. They just haven't thought of doing it.

[lamarguerite]

Majora,

I so much agree with you. Community is, will be an essential ingredient in the climate change solution mix, along with policy, technology, business, and spirituality - See Arianna's post today on spirituality -.

And you are also right to start where you are. A successful pilot can go a long way towards starting the process of change. By showing that it can be done, has been done.

Infrastructure is key in setting up the stage correctly. Not just in the public space, but also in each family's home. Most of the solutions to the environmental problems lie in having the correct infrastructure to begin with. Then positive daily actions can happen without requiring too much thinking, time, and effort.

Linked to infrastructure is also the power of visual cues that serve as reinforcers of desired behaviors.

Last, rebuilding a lost sense of community, block by block, through concrete actions, will not only serve the environment, but also grow the connective tissue between neighbors, that will provide the needed support for needed personal lifestyle changes.

marguerite manteau-rao
http://lamarguerite.wordpress.com
'It's All About Green Psychology'