The Problem
Mainstream environmentalism has reserved the term “environmentalist” for a narrow group of actors, neglecting the broad scope of issues that affect our environment and possible solutions.
The Roots
This narrow vision of environmentalism presents immigrants, working class, and communities of color as uninterested or impeding a clean environment. But scholars and activists show that these communities face greater threats from environmental problems such as air pollution, water contamination, and industrial hazards. They are also vulnerable to environmental solutions such as conservation practices that segregate poor communities, recycling centers that pollute ethnic minority neighborhoods, and population control policies that target immigrant women’s reproduction.
The Solutions
Broadening our vision of environmentalism deepens our understanding of the environment and the diversity of people who protect it. Environmentalists like Parent Pioneers—comprising immigrant mothers and grandmothers—seek equity in their neighborhood through everyday practices of care.
Our Point of View
California State University, Northridge and University of California, Santa BarbaraStudents and faculty in the Asian American Studies Department at UC Santa Barbara and Chicana/o Studies at CSU Northridge are proud to bring together the interconnected histories of environmental justice across immigrant communities. Partnerships with organizations like Parent Pioneers remind us of the power of community-based research and activism, and our intertwined fates. What has been most rewarding is learning and teaching about the historical legacy of environmental justice that shapes access to affordable housing, immigrant rights, gender rights, and labor and educational equity.
Padres Pioneros/Parent PioneersPadres Pioneros/Parent Pioneers is a local grassroots organization established 25 years ago composed of immigrant Latina mothers and grandmothers addressing education and environmental justice in low-income communities. Their mission is to work with schools to develop families’ capacity to support their children’s academic success and to increase their environmental awareness about how to care for and love Mother Earth.
Projects
Contributors
University Partners
California State University, Northridge and University of California, Santa Barbara
Faculty Project Directors
Lisa Sun-Hee Park, Ph.D., Asian American Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
Stevie Ruiz, Ph.D., Chicana/o Studies, California State University, Northridge
Students
Raiza Arias
Nataly Barragan
Alyssa Barba
Jocelyn Canales
Jennifer Carranza-Escobedo
Cristina Castelan
Lilia A Gonzalez
Guadalupe Granados
Felipe Lepe
Ashley Martinez
Azeneth D Martinez
Destiny E Munoz
Diego Paniauga
Ana V Perez
Jesus N Perez
Jimmy L Ramos
Jennifer K Rodzianko
Kimberly Tobar
Marissa J Washington
Frances Tang
Jarel Park
Kahlil Kochiyama
TJ Jose
Renee Zapata
Michelle Macrohon
Community Partners
Padres Pioneros/Parent Pioneers
Rosa Linda RiVera Furumoto
Nelly Cruz
Rosa E. Vargas
Maria Elena Ortiz
Victoria Ramirez
Francisca Salcedo
Ana Navarro
Socorro Berumen
Maria Meza
Carolina Perez
Marina Diaz
Maria Guerrero
Olivia Robledo