Unveiling the Environmental Injustices of Cancer Alley: A Story of Resilience and Resistance
In the heart of St. James Parish, Louisiana, a community struggles against the backdrop of towering industrial complexes and petrochemical infrastructure. Sharon Lavigne, a prominent figure in the fight against environmental injustices, leads the charge in advocating for the residents of this predominantly African-American community. The area, known as Cancer Alley, has been plagued by high levels of harmful air pollutants and other environmental toxins, leading to a myriad of health issues including rare cancers, respiratory diseases, asthma, and more.
Despite the clear injustices faced by these communities, Louisiana state officials continue to downplay the environmental and health concerns raised by advocates like Rise St. James. The proposed $9.4 billion Sunshine Project, backed by Formosa Petrochemical Corporation, is just one example of how the petrochemical industry continues to disable these communities, forcing them to exist in a context that makes them incapable of breathing clean air and living healthy lives.
Similar challenges are faced in the Ohio River Valley, where fracking has dominated the landscape, polluting underground water supplies and releasing harmful toxins into the air. Communities in this region, like those in Cancer Alley, are fighting back against the injustices imposed upon them by the fossil fuel industry.
As the push for more petrochemical facilities and fracking operations continues to grow in both regions, the outlook for these communities remains bleak. The entrenchment of disadvantaged communities in a cycle of destruction is a real concern, as rhetoric labeling these areas as “sacrifice zones” and “backwards” perpetuates harmful assumptions about the people who live there.
However, amidst the struggles and challenges, there is a sense of resilience and determination within these communities. Children play joyfully against the industrial backdrop, community members come together to organize for a better future, and advocates like Sharon Lavigne lead the charge in the fight for justice.
It is crucial for future leaders and educators to understand how extractive practices can disable communities and work towards fostering environments that enable and uplift. Environmental justice communities deserve a future where their resilience is celebrated and supported by just and equitable practices.
This story was produced through the Agents of Change in Environmental Justice fellowship, a partnership between Environmental Health News and Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, empowering emerging leaders from historically excluded backgrounds to reimagine solutions for a just and healthy planet.