Migration, Environmental [In]justice, & racism in Southern CA

My inspiration for looking at migration patterns, social class, demographics in communities in its relation to environmental injustices is largely due to my environment. I live in a small equestrian district Southeast of East Los Angeles. Unfortunately, this community is considered disproportionately exposed to pollutants and has high pollution burden due to all the environmental toxins located in the surrounding community known as City of Industry. There are many factories in this region like American Papers & Plastics Inc., Goya, Athens Services (Commercial Waste Collection), and Quemetco (or Ecobat as it likes to call itself). However, as I got older, my interest in this topic grew significantly. My brother and I moved into a small home on a one acre property zoned for light agriculture. Here we house horses, goats, chickens, and dogs. 

Our perspective drastically adjusted as we began learning about Quemetco and the dangerous toxins it emits such as: benzene, arsenic, carcinogens, lead, and more! This made us worry about our pets and animals.  We grow fruit trees and have a relatively successful garden. Our friends and niece play or socialize on our yards. We fear for their safety and wonder if we are putting our friends, family, or animals' lives at risk due to possible lead contamination or other toxic pollutants due to our proximity to Quemetco. We live about 1.25 miles away from the facility.  This also really affects on a personal note, since I was diagnosed with cancer when I was 26 years old. Of course, I cannot claim that Quemetco caused my cancer, but a small part of me will always wonder if there's some correlation. I grew up in another local town that is also coincidently about 1.5 miles away from the facility. I always considered myself to be a relatively healthy individual; I ate predominately vegetarian/pescatarian for many years. I exercised and never felt the need to visit the doctor.  However, I randomly acquired this rare type of  Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. 

That is why I will continue to advocate, discuss this topic, and encourage others to do the same. As an educator, an aunt, a concerned resident, and cancer survivor, I know the importance living in a "clean" environment. I know there's a lot of work to be done, but as teachers we can foster opportunities for our students to research their local environment, be active agents of change, and to demand better from corporations and the people in power.  This is by no means, a final project. This process is ongoing and may endeavor many transformations.  I will not be happy until Quemetco is shut down. For more information, please follow @avocadoheightsvaqueros, @ej_sgv, and @cleanaircoaltion on Instagram. You can also view the Clean Air Coalition's website for more information about the research and work they've done in regards to halting Quemetco's upcoming proposed expansion of production. (This work is ongoing as you read this). 

https://www.cleanaircoalition.org/

Source: LA Public Health