Caroline Dillard Free response 2: 3/31/23

 I attended a panel titled: Climate Changes Lives: The Intersection of Environmental and Racial Justice put on by the Student Sustainability Commission on 3/30. One question answered by the panel made me realize I have been living in CNU bubble and that I need to get out into the Newport News Community. During the Great Depression, NN was redlined. The effects of this historic intentional racial discrimination are still seen today. Neighborhoods that were redlined, are 5°C hotter in summer, have less trees, more pavement and have a predominantly black and brown population. As climate change causes sea level rise NN has to decide which neighborhoods to invest in and save and which neighborhoods to buy out and evacuate. Because of property value black neighborhoods are being bought out and white neighborhoods are being saved. The panelists recommended we as students get involved in by going to city meetings and voting. Reverend Kennedy, another panelists stressed the importance of finding your reason for being here and once you do you gain hope for whatever reason or cause that is. And that hope will drive you to act and push for change. He also talked about how you should be thinking about what impact you want on society. This made me realize I never think about what impact I want to have and I don't see that as goal in my life. I do not know if this is inherently wrong, but maybe I just haven't found my purpose for life on Earth yet. 

  

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