Our New Survey Shows the Consequences of Colorism in Cosmetics
The findings of our study from our Beauty Inside Out campaign about the use of and attitudes towards chemical hair straighteners and skin lighteners was published this week and explained in this video, and it's already making headlines (EHN, Eureka Alert, Harlem World). The survey results are clear: Racist beauty standards leave communities of color more exposed to harmful chemicals in beauty products. These findings highlight the pervasiveness of racialized beauty norms and point to the need to reduce the demand for and sale of these products through community education, market-based strategies, and public policy.
Don't miss ourColorism in the Beauty Industry panel that will discuss the pervasive problem of colorism and what we can do to address it.
Out of Gas, In With Justice Featured on PBS, with New Report Coming Soon
As part of our Out if Gas, In With Justice, we conducted a pilot study to assess the impacts of replacing gas stoves with electric induction stoves in affordable housing. We will be announcing the results of this study on January 31. The pilot was featured on PBS NewsHour last night, as the gas stove debate has started to make national headlines.
The Out of Gas In With Justice campaign works to research, educate, and advocate for regulation and phasing out of gas stoves, which affect your home’s indoor air quality and therefore your family's health.
Rally to Stop the One45 Truck Depot
Join the Harlem Not For Sale rally at 145th Street and Malcolm X Boulevard this Saturday, January 21, 1-3 pm, to protest the new truck depot that has opened at the One45 site in Harlem.
Despite outspoken community opposition, the developer at the site has followed through with his threats, turning the site into a polluting truck depot. Choosing to impose additional air pollution on this neighborhood instead of actual affordable housing is an act of environmental racism and we won't stand for it.
Albany Advocacy Day: Kick Fossil Fuels Out of Buildings
Join us January 24 in Albany as we demand that Governor Hochul and the legislature pass key climate legislation this year to kick fossil fuels out of buildings.
We will kick off the day with a rally and press conference in the State Capitol to push Governor Hochul to include vital bills in her proposed budget. Then we will break into lobby teams(no prior lobbying experience necessary) to talk to our elected representatives and win their support for these important bills.
Join us on Friday, January 27, 12:30 pm - 2 pm for an online panel discussion of the results of our Beauty Inside Out survey of Northern Manhattan residents, which examined the use of chemical straighteners and skin lighteners among adults of color. The panel will include makeup artists, academics, and activists to bring us a robust discussion on this important topic affecting our community.
Join us on Wednesday, February 1, 6 - 7:30 pm for our Uptown Chats on environmental education. During this interactive online event, we will be discussing our award-winning Environmental Health and Justice Leadership Training (EHJLT) program. Participants will also learn about our involvement in a climate justice education policy campaign in New York State, hear updates about the new WE ACT Environmental Justice Center, and test their environmental justice knowledge in a trivia game for a chance to win a prize!
Take Our New EHJLT Classes to Learn About Environmental Justice Issues
We are excited to announce a new set of Environmental Health & Justice Leadership Training classes starting February 6th for adults. Participants in this 4-course, online training program will learn about environmental and climate justice issues and how to advocate for equitable solutions to address them.
There are no prerequisites for these courses, and they are open to anyone 15 and older. There is no cost, either, though we encourage you to make a donation to help us continue the program and give others the same opportunity. And we ask that if you do sign up, you honor your commitment to attend all the sessions because space is limited and demand is high.
Environmental Justice Movement: Peggy Shepard was quoted in this article in The Week about the history and impact of the environmental justice movement.
Soot Pollution Standards: Anastasia Gordon was quoted in an Earthbeat article urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt stricter soot pollution standards.
One45 Truck Depot: Lonnie Portis was quoted in the Patch and Streets Blog NYC about the ongoing battle with a developer to bring actual affordable housing to the One45 site instead of a polluting truck depot: “Communities of color and low-income, like Central Harlem, are already burdened with more than their fair share of pollution. Siting yet another source of dangerous air pollution in this community is either a scare tactic designed to restart negotiations or an overt act of environmental racism. Harlem does not deserve this."
Cumulative Impacts Law: WE ACT was quoted in Waste Dive about the new cumulative impacts law that we championed, an historic win to combat environmental racism in New York.
Take Our Youth Survey On Cosmetics
While the results of our Beauty Inside Out adult survey are making a splash, our youth survey is still underway. If you are a girl or femme-identifying person of color between 13-17 years of age who lives in Northern Manhattan (West Harlem, Central Harlem, East Harlem, Inwood, and Washington Heights), we urge you to take this survey to help us better understand how you use and feel about some types of cosmetic products.
WE ACT's Healthy Homes Working Group is eager to expand and welcome more members this year! This working group advocates for policies that hold landlords and city officials accountable on issues including mold, pests, toxic chemicals, and other hazards in the home. They meet the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6 pm. The next meeting is Tuesday, February 14.
