Youth Perspective on Environmental Justice and Racism | Cristal Cisneros | TEDxCherryCreek

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Published 2020-10-28
I am passionate about climate change and environmental justice. I know that we cannot have conversation about climate change without taking into account how it disproportionately affects BIPOC. What I learned about power and privilege is knowing when you are taking up space and how to use your platform to invite voices that are often left out in the mainstream environmental movement. It is not just my voice and my story that matter. Youth have a lot to say about the future of their planet and I want to make sure I am sharing their message in an honest way and inviting them to the table. Because ultimately they are the future and the future of the planet is in our hands. We must act. Knowing that I get to share the stage and use my platform to highlight the voices of youth of color is what drives me to continue to teach environmental justice to the brilliant youth scholars. This video is about how we can invite youth of color to the larger conversation around climate change and environmental justice. Originally from Gary Indiana, a town with a history of environmental injustice. Cristal is first generation Mexican and loves nature! She is currently working on her doctorate in Education focusing on environmental racism and environmental injustice and its impact on students of color.
As one of ten siblings who grew up harvesting the beautiful brown earth to feed not only their large family but also their hearts. Nature is medicina Environmental justice es en mi sangre. From the ancient Azteca days, Madre tierra days, the pre-Conquest days, our goddess tonantzin days, maker of moon and stars days, my ancestors worshiped her days.
Developing an environmental justice curriculum for youth of color is not the only solution. Because, Rigoberta Mechu who in her last words stated “Our Mother Earth – militarized, fenced-in, poisoned, a place where basic rights are systematically violated – demands that we take action.” This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
All Comments (9)
  • @christopherthorne968
    I'm writing this comment as a part of my anthropology final, so please don't eat me alive. This issue she talks about called environmental racism appears to be a cross section between the ideas of ecocide and ethnocide wherein an ecosystem and a culture are destroyed. Eco justice and preservation of the Earth and its resources are topics not seen often enough in the modern world. This is especially true in the US where we have politicians advocating pseudoscience and so-called "alternate facts". Cisneros mentions that topics of eco justice are absent or lacking in science education and this is absolutely true. These concepts were never even brought up to me until I took an anthropology 101 course as an elective. It's truly an injustice in itself that education fails to bring these issues to light.
  • @GM-dn4nr
    doing this topic in my college class today ! <3
  • @Nothingimportant1
    We can conclude from the number of these video comments and watch how environmental justice and ethics are still ignored in our life. If it was a video about fashion or fast food, it would be viral for sure.
  • @glynnispitcher9423
    ( REHAB TIME! ) JUSTICE WILL NOT BEE SERVED UNTIL THOSE WHO R UNAFFECTED R AZ OUTRAGED AZ THOSE WHO R. FACTS OVA FEELINGS!
  • @himgeol1
    I have been a geologist for 50 years or so. Worked on different geological research projects. It has been established long time back (million years ) that there has been sea level changes in the past and will continue in future. The environment is changing- YES I agree. Can we make a significant difference by applying small time measure- I DO NOT think so. Environmentalists are complaining but are not coming up with INNOVATIONS to check the degrading environment. The change can only be brought when there are new innovations and brought into practice. Complaining and discussing is a mere waste of time and energy. Unqualified people are debating this issue. Pollution control should start from countries the contribute the most like China and India and not from USA or Canada. As long as we have no resources to replace fossil fuel in an appreciable amount - we have to live with it. Until then these unqualified preachers should shut up and should work to find remedies. Close all the refineries and the gas stations for a month and then come and tell me what you went through. STOP VAGUE DISCUSSIONS.