There’s just one problem: This new commitment to Black people often seems to come with an assumption that the fight for climate justice has to halt.
Moreover, Black people did the least to create the problem, and our systemic oppression runs directly parallel to the climate crisis.
It’s time to talk about the use of tear gas — which hurts respiratory systems during a pandemic that is already disproportionately affecting Black people — as SCHMIDT / AFP via Getty Images
A protester rinses the eyes of another with water after police fired tear gas during a protest on May 31.
And, while we’re at it, it’s time to talk about why Black people face higher rates of COVID-19 infection and death: Because we’re far more likely to live in food deserts, and near dumping grounds, power plants and large-scale animal farms, all of which saddle us with preexisting conditions like asthma, diabetes and heart disease.
If caring about climate change and caring about Black people were mutually exclusive, I never would have gotten into climate justice.
