Calafia

Thanks to the EPA, I–as well as so many others–are now able to live a healthier lifestyle than my ancestors. Although many Black people and people of color have rights enacted by the EPA, it is not equally distributed, seeing as our country is still divided racially.

I could not comprehend why my mom disagreed with my desire to seek mental health assistance. She would simply reply by saying, “You don’t need therapy.” She never expressed her truth until I sat her down one day before school to have a vulnerable conversation about my unhealthy mental state.

Much like many 21st century movements that applaud performative activism (such as 2020’s #BlackoutTuesday movement which only served to silence Black activist voices), proclaiming the need for a DEI-infused curriculum is only the first step of a much larger journey.

The failures of public transportation happen across different communities in California, which means that this issue is systemic. People who rely on public transportation are primarily people of color and low-income people. People who can’t afford Uber or Lyft. People who can’t afford their own car. People who are already underrepresented. This is an environmental and social justice issue.

The plan for the new ice skating rink in Coachella Valley – a 250 million dollar sports and entertainment arena – was shared with our community just last year. The company’s chief executive, Tim Leik wants the future minor league hockey teams affiliated with NHL’s Seattle Kraken to start their upcoming season in October 2022. But, at what cost?

Racial prejudices and biases plague our systems and ultimately end in bloodshed. Because this system has gone unchecked for so long, innocent lives have continued to be lost to a vicious cycle of abuse, largely in part to the power of police unions.