Environmental Racism: Is It Alive in The Bronx?

June 29 - July 5

I began the Fordham Science Technology Entry Program the day after school ended. On the first day of the program, the Peace Poets presented their work to the student body and afterwards everyone was split off into “Service Learning Groups.” Admir and I were put into a group which worked with Bronx is Blooming to clean up two local parks.

On the second day, we visited Crotona Park and helped to fence the trees. The caretaker of the park was called Shaun. He told us that by fencing the trees they would be safer from people who would want to harm them.

On the third day, we went to Mullaly Park near Yankee Stadium and helped to clear the weeds in one part of the park. After we were done clearing the weeds, we filled wheelbarrows with mulch and carried the mulch to the part of Mullaly park we worked on earlier.

Through the experience, we not only learned about how important it is to maintain the green spaces in the Bronx but we also learned that environmental racism is a very real issue that the communities in the Bronx have to deal with.