Recognizing the Plight of Frontline Communities: Attending a South Bronx Unite Community Meeting
It’s uncharacteristically warm for New York in autumn. If I look past the treetops overhead, donning leaves of vibrant colors, into the tranquil sky above, the surrounding atmosphere appears indifferent to that of a balmy summer day. A cool breeze drifting through acts as an equalizer, prompting crumpled leaves to reluctantly dance across the asphalt. Local artists set up their paintings on easels against the backdrop of a large mural spanning across the side of a weathered brick building. Inspired by the separation of immigrant children from their parents at the border between Mexico and the United States, this mural, “We Have a Story to Tell”, was painted two years prior by Chilean artist Virginia Ayress. Described by Pierre Obama, a resident of the South Bronx, as a piece that “brings the community together”, the park that the mural resides in offers an ideal forum for the first Community Discussion held by South Bronx Unite, an organization devoted to protecting the social, economic, and environmental future of Mott Haven and Port Morris.
A musical performance at the South Bronx Unite Community Discussion: Taken by me in October 2021
The primary goal of this discussion, apart from creating a space where delicious food (to this day, the best rice and beans I’ve ever tasted), rich music, and beautiful artwork could be shared amongst neighbors, colleagues, and friends, was to amplify the voices of residents. Members of frontline communities of color, such as Mott Haven, bear the greatest burden in regard to climate change and exposure to toxic pollutants. Corporations target their neighborhoods for the construction of power plants, warehouses, and various other facilities pumping fossil fuels into the air, air that fills the lungs of young children simply walking to school or playing outdoors. This dire situation arises in low-income, minority communities across the United States due to the lack of appropriate representation within government institutions. Thus, implementing participatory decision-making for public policies and community development is essential on the path toward environmental equality, one of South Bronx Unite’s principal objectives.
Throughout the discussion, over a dozen community members came in front of the audience to speak; these speeches were intertwined with several music performances as well. Excluding the aforementioned overarching goal–voicing residents’ concerns and desires in a collective setting–two additional aims were identified. First, equitable access to basic necessities: clean air, nutritious food, truly affordable and quality housing, and good health care. Second, the improvement of education and the arts: having good school systems with adequate funding and resources to advance contributions to art and culture.
The latter goal, South Bronx Unite founder Mychal Johnson explained, will be tackled through the creation of the H.E.ARTS (H = health; E = education; ARTS = arts) center. The location for H.E.ARTS is the city-owned, vacant Lincoln Detox Center, which will be transformed into a complex housing offices, meeting areas, a culinary kitchen, classrooms, and performance areas for local organizations, through sustainable practices. A feasibility report for this process of adaptive reuse was acquired through ongoing community engagement in addition to architectural planning aid from Bretto Bay Strategies, Bagchee Architects, and KMP Design & Engineering.
Ultimately, the benefits of attending this meeting were twofold. I not only was granted the opportunity to understand South Bronx Unite’s methods of community outreach that I wish to apply to my own nonprofit activities but also gained firsthand knowledge on the effects of environmental racism from Mott Haven residents. At the discussion’s close, I was able to personally connect with Mychal Johnson and familiarize myself with his role as a community leader. When I asked him why he began devoting himself to ameliorating the quality of life of Mott Haven and Port Morris residents, his answer was simple: “we cannot be bystanders to injustice or it will not end”.
A model of the H.E.ARTS center shown at the Community Discussion: Taken by me in October 2021
Interior plans for the H.E.ARTS center. Source: South Bronx Unite
