Going green is the newest fad to hit America. With focus on energy consumption and the rising price of commodities, environmental concerns have Americans focused on alternatives to the norm. But is the green trend universal? One group that may not be truly invested is black America.
In Charleston, South Carolina black people have greater concerns. After years of thriving in downtown along the Cooper River, hundreds of black families were told that a toxic water sewage problem couldn’t be fixed and they had to move. Where would they go? Most couldn’t afford to buy another home in downtown Charleston and the only option was North Charleston.
Today North Charleston is overflowing with displaced families who are struggling to afford groceries and transportation for their children and themselves, while keeping jobs that barely cover the expense of raising a family. Hybrid cars are not an option for these people who rely on public transportation, and recycling is at the bottom of their concerns. All these families can care about is the rising cost of everyday needs.
And what happened to the “toxic” area along the river with some of the best views in the lowcountry? They are home to multi-million dollar condo developments, The South Carolina Aquarium, and coming soon a nine-hole golf course to replace an area once home to native black Charlestonians.
This is an example of another new trend called gentrification. With gentrification as issue number one for black America, when will they have the opportunity to “Go Green” with the rest of the country?