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  •  Excellent diary. (8+ / 0-)

    Keeping the King Legacy Alive

    This year for Martin Luther King Day, let us focus on King's legacy that fearlessly challenged the systems of injustice which keeps people in poverty and marginalizes people of color. To truly honor King, we must involve ourselves in the many issues of injustice around us.

    One issue that affects marginalized communities around the country, and throughout the world, is environmental justice or environmental racism - the dumping of toxic wastes in communities of color.

    People of color suffer disproportionately from a wide variety of health crises-high rates of asthma, lead poisoning, cancer, birth defects and lupus.

    All of these problems are connected to toxic wastes in our environment. This is an issue that honors King's legacy. Learn more about these issues by downloading the NCC's free resources: Environmental Racism: An Ecumenical Study Guide and Mindful Living: Human Health, Pollution and Toxics.

    The Eco-Justice Program office of the National Council of Churches

    "They're going to give their power away when we take their power away." John Edwards

    by TomP on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 09:51:09 AM PDT

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    •  Environmental Justice (6+ / 0-)

      Grassroots action.

      HEJ is a non-profit organization that grew from the Medical Waste Incinerator Group (MWIG). MWIG, a group formed in 1999 by doctors, medical students and community members, successfully ended medical waste incineration in St. Louis. In 2003, MWIG became HEJ and turned its focus to childhood lead poisoning.

      St. Louis has a lead poisoning crisis. In 2000-2002, one in three African American children were lead poisoned in St. Louis. In some areas such as Fairgrounds Neighborhood half of the children were poisoned. In St. Louis City, 1 in 4 children were poisoned. In recent years the situation has improved but St. Louis children are still poisoned at a rate about seven times the national average. HEJ-St. Louis is working to end childhood lead poisoning once and for all through demanding accountability from St. Louis leaders, educating the community, and empowering people.

      Health and Environmental Justice - St. Louis

      "They're going to give their power away when we take their power away." John Edwards

      by TomP on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 09:54:58 AM PDT

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