You’d think change-makers would listen to those who’ve lost their homes, even whole islands, to irreversible damage from climate change. They’re the experts — they’ve seen the warning signs with their own eyes, right? Well…
I have my doubts, which I channeled into this new collage: “TODAY, America. Today.” Most of those grieving their lost homes and way of life right now are people of color, and to be honest, I think America won’t take action until the refugees look more like Greta Thunberg. Our country doesn’t have a great track record of sheltering Black people in dire need. Take the way-back machine to the year 1927 and you’ll see.
Survivors of the Great Mississippi River Flood in 1927 take refuge on top of railroad cars. Credit: NMAAHC
The Great Mississippi River Flood destroyed the homes of about 637,000 people from Illinois to Louisiana. More than a half-million of those flood refugees were Black. And even though the federal government had “a record budget surplus” at the time, it contributed no direct-aid funding to flood victims.
In this century, African Americans and other people of color have suffered the most damage to their neighborhoods from Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Harvey. The survivors also received far less financial recovery aid than people in mostly-white communities.
So who has to believe these warnings from climate change refugees before history repeats itself? Hey, I’ve got an idea: purchase this piece for your (least) favorite climate change denier and see if the message moves them to action. The collage will be available in my shop this weekend.
