[Antiracism] Tomorrow @ El Mercado: Who Speaks? Who Cares? Twenty Years of Mobilization around Environmental (In)Justice in Holyoke, Massachusetts

[Eduardo Suarez]

Greetings,
 
Maureen Turner, writer for The Valley Advocate, has written several in-depth articles about many issues that affect our communities and in this week's issue the Advocate features  Up Holyoke Down Holyoke Student researchers find that, in Holyoke, some voices speak louder than others, which I highly recommend reading it.
http://www.valleyadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=9148

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Smith College Sociology Seminar “Practicum in Community-Based Research”
presents

Who Speaks? Who Cares? Twenty Years of Mobilization around     Environmental (In)Justice in Holyoke, Massachusetts

A research presentation and community forum for understanding community mobilization issues in Holyoke, MA

Saturday, February 7th 2009
12 P.M. – 2 P.M.,
El Mercado, 413 Main Street, Holyoke
Refreshments provided for first 30 guests

Sociology 308 “Practicum in Community-Based Research” taught by Professor Ginetta Candelario, and comprised of Seniors: Mia Teitelbaum, Elizabeth Bieber, Teresa Kenyon, and Mount Holyoke student Sarah Krautheim, presents their final research project of Fall 2008. Community-based research in Holyoke, Massachusetts was conducted around a central question: “How do populations of different demographics, such as South Holyoke and the Highlands, mobilize around public health and environmental justice issues?” The research analyzes three separate mobilization efforts: the Solid Waste Transfer Station proposed for 686 Main Street in Holyoke’s Ward 2, the Mount Tom Quarry Expansion of 1999, and the HERCO proposal of 1984. 

The controversy surrounding United Waste Management’s proposed Transfer Station highlights the divide between the interests and goals of various stakeholders: industry, municipal employees and officeholders, residents, and community-based organizations.  Moreover, the comparison of the Solid Waste Transfer Station with the Mount Tom Quarry Expansion and HERCO issues reveals two central points. Firstly, the political process and policies regarding community involvement in environmental and public health issues have become even more exclusionary to residents. Secondly, Puerto Ricans, who comprise almost half of the city’s population, are systematically underrepresented within Holyoke’s political landscape, effectively silencing their opinion on these issues. 

Professor Ginetta Candelario and Sociology 308 will present their findings and engage in a dialogue about the research process. Research participants, Holyoke community residents, and members of the Five-Colleges are all welcome to attend. 



..if you have come...to help me, you're wasting your time... But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.. Aboriginal activists, Queensland, Australia 1970's


Eduardo Suárez

P. O. Box 3462
Amherst, MA 01004-3462
413-253-0297
cell-335-6224


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