Commemorating Juneteenth and Working in Solidarity for Environmental Justice

Posted June 22, 2022

By Morris T. Koffa, Sr., Ph.D.

The Africa Environmental Watch (AEW) joins others to commemorate a historic event on the Juneteenth national holiday to honor the emancipation of the forgotten black slaves in Galveston, Texas, United States of America.

President Joseph Biden of the United States and other sympathizers should be applauded for the declaration of a federal holiday. It is a clear indication that the wrongs of the past can be corrected no matter how long it takes.

This celebration is good for America, and for Africa as well, particularly Liberia for its long-standing historic ties with the United State of America.

Such a declaration is also symbolic to Liberia as it celebrates the Bicentennial of its founding by freed slaves from the United in 1822. It is a vivid reminder of the historic link in the context of colonialism and brotherhood.

Based on the historicity concerning slavery, AEW is cognizant that slavery is not only an act of human rights/social abuses and injustices but also a recipe for environmental injustice.

The slave plantations or camps to which the slaves were subjected are doomed to unhealthy environmental living conditions such as the proliferation of nuclear waste, solid waste, pollution/contamination of drinking water and air, chemical spillages, sanitation, and the list goes on.

AEW honors with a deep sense of appreciation but wants to encourage all, especially the celebrants, to consider this popular and long-awaited freedom as a catalyst to act with profound urgency and advocate against environmental slavery and injustices.

Slavery is a human rights issue that breeds racism and racism breeds poverty and environmental injustice. No one deserves to live in such a dehumanizing condition as a slave.

There cannot be complete human freedom when environmental injustices remain perversive in most black communities and in Africa where the impacts from transboundary hazardous wastes and other forms of exploitation are widely felt.

Let’s remain resolute in our resolve for environmental justice.

About the Author
Morris T. Koffa, Sr., Ph.D. is Executive Director, Africa Environmental Watch. He can be reached at koffamkoffa@aol.com or at africaenvironmentalwatch.com, 240-417-2545.