The Death Of (Elite, White, American) Environmentalism

Activists of color argue that 'The Death of Environmentalism' should be called 'The Death of Elite, White, American Environmentalism.'

1 minute read

June 1, 2005, 1:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

John Muir was no friend to African Americans and Native Americans, so many of today's environmentalists don't want to stand on his shoulders, argue Michel Gelobter and other activists of color in a feisty response to the ever-dubitable essay "The Death of Environmentalism ." The environmental movement drew much from the fight for black power and racial justice, but fails to acknowledge its debt, just as "Death" fails to acknowledge the importance of class and race in the movement, they say. In a separate critique, environmental-justice campaigner Ludovic Blain contends that "Death" exposes the many failings of "elite, white American environmentalism" while ignoring the many successes of women, organizers of color, and local groups not just in the U.S. but around the world.

Thanks to Grist Magazine

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Tuesday, May 31, 2005 in Grist Magazine

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