NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A few decades ago, the battle for equal justice under the law was a matter of life or death.
Today, experts at Norfolk State University say the battle for environmental justice is also a matter of life or death.
“Well, environmental racism is real,” said Dr. Bernadette Holmes, professor of sociology and criminal justice. “It has a long history of redlining and other issues that impact disproportionately minority communities. It impacts our health. It impacts air quality and water quality. We also see housing issues under the umbrella of environmental justice, as well as crime. and violence is a justice issue.”
On Earth Day 2024, the NSU campus is cultivating the next generation of leaders who will march on the practices and policies that have harmed people and the planet.
“That is so important that our young people, first of all, become aware of these inequities that were put in place in the 20th century and work towards solutions for the future,” said Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander, NSU’s endowed professor of Virginia Black history and culture. “And I think that’s how you not only build interest, but you build engagement and ownership. So our young people need to know there’s something that they can do.”
Blocks from the river, the Elizabeth River Project worked on a pollinator garden that will attract crawlers with tiny legs. The project, in partnership with NSU, hopes to attract the next generation of custodians of the planet. Project Executive Director Marjorie Mayfield Jackson is proud of the partnership and water quality improvements in the Elizabeth River’s improvements.
“Native plants to attract bees and butterflies, and that feeds the whole ecosystem,” Jackson said. “And it’s part of our work with Norfolk State for an even greener campus and also growing stewards of the future here.”
University president Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston has created the ideal climate for growth. Called the environmental justice incubator, it’s an equity model for restoring African American communities. Newby-Alexander offered more details on the program that will benefit the entire region.
“We created, through a grant, an environmental incubator or environmental justice incubator to look at what are the ways that we can work together to make sure that everyone in the community has access to a healthy living environment,” Newby-Alexander said. “And that includes tree canopies, elimination of trash, refuse poisoned soils, as well as seawater rising and flooding.
“And so we’ve been working with different communities in the Southside to look at how can their community be enhanced in some way. Community gardens is one way that we’re looking at and exploring with the Elizabeth River Project to help start, as well as tree planting and green garden planting.”
