“Injustice in the Air” event on 2/23/21 

by Madeleine Beirne, Intern, Massachusetts Jobs with Justice 

On February 23rd, Massachusetts Jobs with Justice hosted the event “Injustice in the Air: Climate, Race, and Health Justice in Western Massachusetts”. It was an incredible event, and especially incredible for us to be able to host so many amazing speakers, and to have such a big, attentive audience!

During the event, we heard from activists, poets, musicians, creatives, and more, all interested in fighting climate change and highlighting the health injustices faced by residents of Western Massachusetts’ communities. The speakers shared their thoughts and experiences on how racism and classism play major roles in the environmental and health injustices experienced in Western Massachusetts, and what we can all do to make conditions better for the communities we live in. These speakers included Bomba de Aqui, a Puerto Rican folklore group, Wepa Language Justice, a language justice organization, Zulmalee Rivera Delgado, a Springfield Organizer with Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N), Don Ogden (D.O.), an environmental justice poet, Alex Wright, a nurse at Mercy Medical Center, Jacqueline Velez, the Racial Organizer at MA JWJ, Donny Wright, Singer and Environmental Activist, and Lezlie Braxton Campbell, a History Teacher and N2N Member. You can find the full program from the event here. 

Bomba de Aqui started off the event with a lively performance of traditional Puerto Rican with its’ African roots as we welcomed our guests to the event. Bomba de Aqui also emphasized the importance of carrying their music on, and advocating for the preservation of traditional Puerto Rican music. After Bomba de Aqui performed, Wepa Language Justice, the organization that was leading the translation services at the event, explained their organization’s mission and how their services would work throughout the event. Zulmalee Rivera Delgado talked passionately about her work at N2N, and spoke briefly about the Biomass campaign in Springfield. Don Ogden (also known as D.O.), recited a beautiful poem about climate change and global warming, which you can read here. Alex Wright, a nurse at Mercy Medical Center, spoke about both the Biomass campaign in Springfield and the organizing occurring within the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA). Jacqueline Velez, the Racial Justice Organizer at MAJWJ, recited an emotional poem about greed, climate change, and corporate gluttony. Donny Wright spoke about the environmental activism he has participated in as an environmental activist in Massachusetts and elsewhere, and spoke about some of the campaigns happening in the state regarding environmental racism. Lezlie Braxton Campbell spoke about his experiences as a history teacher in Western Massachusetts, especially pointing out the asthma rates among his students, an indicator of environmental racism and neglect. Overall, the event was an incredible success, and we feel so lucky to have hosted these amazing speakers who shared with us their experiences within the environmental activism world. 

As discussed at the event, the proposed Biomass plant to be built in East Springfield, a majority Black and Brown community, is a profound example of environmental racism and injustice in Western Massachusetts. Please take a few minutes to send a letter urging Governor Charlie Baker to withdraw his proposed rule changes which would allow Palmer Renewable Energy to receive millions in subsidies paid by ratepayers to build this massive wood-burning plant in East Springfield. 

Additionally, Mass JwJ is only able to host events like this one through support from our communities and supporters. To support the work we are doing please consider becoming a monthly sustainer. You can also make a one-time donation to Mass JwJ here.

If you were unable to join this event, please look out for future actions and events by checking out our social media pages: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram (@massjobswithjustice).