October 1, 1999
By Rosina Roibal
Being an involved youth in the Environmental Justice Movement is a big deal. As any committed activist knows, there are many responsibilities and steep cliffs to climb. Of course, the results of hard work are always rewarding.
Being a youth in the movement, we have huge roles that must be carried out. Being young, we must put our voice in making decisions, because those decisions and actions will make the differences in our future; and when we are grown up we will be living with those results that were made before.
Being a target of injustice, discrimination, and stereotype, youth must work twice as hard to prove our worth, to get recognition, and to be considered as equals.
Youth have to study what history our mentors and elders made in the past, in order to continue work for justice in the future. One of the best ways to learn about our history is by talking and listening to our elders. Youth and non-youth have to make an effort to hang around each other, and separate themselves. We must continue the legacy that the older generations left, and pass it on to the younger generations.
When there is an Environmental Justice organization with no youth component, or an organization that doesn't work on youth issues; but there is a youth involved (especially in leadership), the youth must bring the work of that organization to include issues surrounding youth. The Environmental Justice Movement is about empowering communities to realize social and economic justice. And this ending/preventing injustice of the poor people and people of color includes youth. All are targets of injustice. So the wise environmental justice organization includes issues discriminating against youth in its work.
In fulfilling roles, there are struggles youth go through. If youth are lucky they will avoid situations that single them out as a young person. In the Environmental Justice Movement there are expectations for everyone. But youth are expected to bring a "fresh, new" view to the table. If a youth is at a meeting with all adults, the youth is singled out, and put on a different level than the rest.
Obviously, back in the day youth in the movement had it rough. It has gotten a little easier in some aspects, but new challenges have risen. It is now hard to get people involved in their communities. It is easy for people to say that there is no need to get involved, because there are already programs to fix the problems. So youth today have the challenge of making people realize that those program aren't enough, and the world needs their help and commitment.
Also these days most youth are more concerned with themselves, and working toward the "American dream" that was washed into their brain by society. But comfort and immediate pleasures aren't enough! In order to achieve ultimate happiness, people must do good for the people and environment around them.
Youth are expected to have the same intelligence and comprehension abilities as older people. But no matter how mature, involved, responsible and how smart a youth is, youth can't perform the same abilities and reasoning as older people. It's extremely optimistic and hopeful to see youth at the same level as the older person. It's not all experience that makes a person more capable. But my logical reasoning and thought didn't reach its peak until college. Of course, there are those youth (such as myself) that think they know everything and can do anything when they are 15. But those youth will realize their ignorance five years later.
The consequences of being heavily involved in the Environmental Justice Movement are small prices to pay for the benefits a youth can obtain. Besides the immediate gratification of being in the movement-such as working with the coolest people in the world and having something to do-there are amazing opportunities for youth to enhance their life in many ways.
One benefit is the chance to be a leader. Governing boards and coordinating councils always want youth representation. In voting on people to be on a board, a youth will be picked over an adult (this actually is morally wrong, even though it makes some happy). Also, a youth with experience in environmental justice and leadership has the ability to lead their own organizations. In high school I led organizations. But the real leadership experience came in college. There is so much opportunity in getting involved and getting people involved in important issues. Moving to a different city, you are not spoon fed things to work on. One must be bold and creative in either joining organizations/struggles or starting new projects/organizations.
In New Orleans, just like Alburquerque, there are many issues to fight. Coming to Loyola University and showing interest in environmental/social work, I immediately learned about and got involved in a fight against a Japanese PVC plastic cooperation called Shintech. They were trying to get permits to pollute the already toxic area known as "Cancer Alley," along the Mississippi River. We fought them, and victory followed when they decided to build elsewhere. Being a youth in college, I was able to organize students and pound away environmental injustice. So thanks to starting young in the Environmental Justice Movement, I am now the environmental/human rights/social justice/animal rights/college of music leader on campus.
Another benefit of being involved in the Environmental Justice Movement is high satisfaction jobs (internships). Why work at Albertson's Supermarket when you can work at a nonprofit organization, getting paid (or not) to work on issues that are important, enhancing your mind, and avoiding hard manual labor?
Another exciting benefit is having the chance to explore the world and travel to conferences, meetings, and caucuses. Being involved in the Environmental Justice Movement is the best opportunity to educate yourself of world events and problems. Most of all, you have a hand in stopping injustice and making the world a better place. Youth in the Environmental Justice Movement get to have experience that no others ever would.
But to know the benefits for youth of being in the Environmental Justice Movement, I must ask youth other than myself: Fernando Abeyta of Alburquerque says that a benefit of being a youth in the E.J. movement is we are able to play an important role in society. We also have an opportunity to obtain skills and techniques for situations concerning youth and communities. Che Lopez of San Antonio, Texas says that "Environmental Justice work give youth experience in doing actual organizing." Robby Rodriquez of Alburquerque states that "in the Environmental Justice Movement, you get to be with people who were there from the beginning (the founding people), and is a good way to learn from our elders." Lolita Roibal of Alburquerque, New Mexico says, "It gives youth a passion. They feel they have a meaningful function in the world." Omar Osirus of Los Angeles says that being a youth in the movement "empowers youth now and in the future. Also, when these youth are older, they will have the experience to become leaders in their communities."
We can only hope that youth realize there are amazing benefits of being involved in the Environmental Justice Movement. But also we hope that youth who join the movement realize they have huge roles and that there are struggles one must go through. All of these issues surrounding the Environmental Justice Movement and youth are what make both the youth and the movement strong. Both need each other to prosper.
(Rosina Roibal is with the SouthWest Organizing Project in Alburquerque, New Mexico. This article was reprinted from their newsletter "Voces Unidas" Volume 9, Number 2, August 1999)
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