Intersectional Environmentalism
Intersectional environmentalism seeks to center the stories and voices of marginalized communities in addition to the mainstream environmental movement.
The term was popularized by environmental activist Leah Thomas, who was inspired by the term “intersectionality” coined by Kimberle Crenshaw in the 1980’s. Crenshaw coined the term as part of her study and work in Critical Race Theory to describe the convergence of racial and gender prejudice.
Where you live should not determine how long you live.
Yet, we see a 15-year difference in life expectancy
between the communities of North Chicago and Lake Forest in Lake County, IL.
The connection between a healthy environment and healthy people has been acknowledged for decades among medical professionals. This includes access to green space, clean air, and clean water.
As many as 1 in 2 Black residents
in Lake County have concerns about access, safety, and maintenance of nearby parks and greenspaces, nearly twice that of White residents, as indicated in Lake County Public Health’s recent Community Health Assessment.
At Brushwood, intersectional environmentalism is at the core of our programming.
Brushwood Center engages people with the green and blue spaces of Lake County, IL through the arts, environmental education, and community action.
