You are not powerless
Take a deep breath in, inviting in your power. Release that breath, ridding yourself of the notion that you are powerless.
Before reading this blog, I want to preface and give you actionable tasks to alleviate the damage done by Hurricane Helene and subsequent storms. Today is world mental health day and the current news cycle has been overwhelming to say the very least. We are so desensitized to violence and disaster, but due to the current natural, or should I say climate crisis disasters, it can lead to us feeling helpless and heartbroken. Intaking images, videos, and articles about mass destruction and deadly storms takes a toll on your mental health. While the recent events definitely warrant despair, I urge you to channel your energy into educating yourself on how the climate crisis impacts BIPOC communities at a higher rate and into supporting efforts for relief such as, but not limited to, educating yourself and others, supporting mutual-aid groups, and taking your voice to voting polls. Now let’s get into it:
Environmental injustices are tied to housing because redlining and segregation has led to more exposure to the consequences of climate change. Redlining severely impacted black communities as they were unable to receive loans to purchase homes and were forced to live in worse housing conditions. The FHA justified this policy stating that if African-Americans moved into suburbs, the property value would decrease and thus make the loan risky. Today, as we have seen with Hurricane Helene and subsequent natural disasters, redlining is leading to what is referred to as “bluelining” which is when insurance companies raise rates in areas with higher risk for natural disasters and impacts of the climate crisis.
Throughout America’s history, land ownership has been a mark of status and used to control those of lower status due to their race and/or class. After slavery ended, black freedmen and impoverished whites did not have the resources to own land, and sharecropping was a means of maintaining a system of power over these groups of people. Moving into the 20th century and as people began to own homes, there was still not an even playing field as the federal government created segregation and denied black people with loans for mortgages.
The same is still occurring today as insurance companies map out which communities are high risk and most expensive to insure. Those lacking the resources to evacuate are the same in the clear pathway of these climate disasters. The only answer given to communities at the frontlines of these climate disasters is to “evacuate” as if every person and community has the resources to do so. This is a clear, intentional way of leaving behind marginalized communities as they face deadly conditions.
As natural disasters continue to increase, taking action can definitely be daunting and lead to us feeling helpless. There are many ways to actualize change which starts with educating yourself about climate change and how these disasters are impacting BIPOC communities more. Then, with that knowledge, following and supporting mutual aid efforts. At the voting polls, now more than ever, we have to take a stance on saving literal lives. Again, take a deep breath in, inviting in your power, release that breath, ridding yourself of the notion that you are powerless.
