FIELDNOTE_0426_NALUWAN_MOLLY
Today it was time for me to hold a workshop with everyone.
Today it was time for me to hold a workshop with everyone.
Today's visit started with all of us students going down to the canal that runs parallel to Naluwan to collect shells.
I arrived earlier than the other students and had some time to interact with Ivan and his family before the others arrived.
Also this week we spent time with the elderly in the community. Me and Charles had a conversation with a man in a wheelchair that Charles also talked to last time.
The first point that peaked my interest is when Dr. Nicky Sheats brought up the real world example of a powerplant that was placed in the Ironbound District. It's an example of how government standards don't reflect or align with individual standards. I thought this was interesting to see how the people didn't have their due justice in deciding to have a polluting plant in their neighborhood. The other fact that caught my eye is that Newark zoning laws, previous to being updated in 2012, had been grandfathered in since 1954. This goes to show the complete lack of awareness for public health that has resided in New Jersey's History. The last point that truly shaped this article is how steps were being taken to prevent environmental justice issues. Commercial and Industrial developers have to go through the following process when proposing for a building: "
The public has full access to this checklist to weigh in on it and make their voices heard."
Art at Naluwan created by the former chief of the tribe.
(The gouverment refused to accept this as art.)