When it rains in West Louisville, residents can grab an umbrella to shield themselves from the downpour. But where's the umbrella to protect your from air pollution? What what one West Louisville residents wants to know.
For this resident, “an umbrella is what the government is supposed to be--an umbrella to protect.”
This resident moved to West Louisville in 1964 and most of her family still lives in the area. She has known of the area's air quality problem since her early 20’s. For that, she credits the late Reverend Louis Coleman, a renowned local activist, with educating many in her community about the concerns related to Rubbertown. After listening to Coleman, she noticed a discrepancy between how the city responded to concerns in other areas of the city compared to her area.
Ultimately, Louisville’s neglect for poorer communities, communities which are predominantly Black, leaves many feeling as though are abandoned by city officials who are supposed to look out for them.
Higher cancer rates among older residents and difficulty in school for younger residents are the norm in the area where this resident grew up. So, when opportunities arise to educate her grandchildren on this issue, she doesn't hesitate.
She tells her grandchildren that they should not have to grow up afraid of the air in their neighborhoods. She's also honest about how current solutions to protect residents from air pollution aren't good enough. We need a better umbrella, a barrier of accountability, action, and advocacy from our local government to keep all children safe.
Credits:
Created with images by 24Novembers - "Red Umbrella in Storm." • Irina Schmidt - "Close-up of kid wearing yellow rain boots and walking during sleet, rain and snow on cold day. Child in colorful fashion casual clothes jumping in a puddle. Having fun outdoors"