How Uniontown, Alabama, Became Victim of Environmental Injustice | NowThis

แชร์
ฝัง
  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ต.ค. 2017
  • Welcome to Uniontown, where residents say they are being poisoned by the very air they breathe.
    » Subscribe to NowThis: go.nowth.is/News_Subscribe
    Environment issues and environmental injustice is a serious plight faces communities in the United States. Uniontown, Alabama, is one of those poor communities struggling under air pollution. Uniontown is a predominantly Black community. Cory Booker visited Uniontown and spoke to residents in the African American community about the landfill that is polluting their air. Coal ash is being dumped in Uniontown, including some from a coal ash spill in Harriman Tennessee. Harriman is 90% white. The EPA does not classify coal ash dumping as a hazardous material.
    #Environment #Uniontown #Alabama
    Connect with NowThis
    » Like us on Facebook: go.nowth.is/News_Facebook
    » Tweet us on Twitter: go.nowth.is/News_Twitter
    » Follow us on Instagram: go.nowth.is/News_Instagram
    » Find us on Snapchat: go.nowth.is/News_Snapchat
    Direct from the NowThis newsroom, NowThis Reports will deliver new short documentary-style videos each week, exploring a wide range of topics and featuring people and stories from all around the world.
    NowThis is your premier news outlet providing you with all the videos you need to stay up to date on all the latest in trending news. From entertainment to politics, to viral videos and breaking news stories, we’re delivering all you need to know straight to your social feeds. We live where you live.
    / nowthisnews
    @nowthisnews

ความคิดเห็น • 108

  • @simonsays3063
    @simonsays3063 5 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    You see why regulations are so important.

  • @entreptiles
    @entreptiles 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Born and raised in this town. I left in 2005, after my high school graduation. It saddens me that my people have been done wrong and treated so poorly. 🙏🥺

  • @rssvvp4447
    @rssvvp4447 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I live about 20 minutes from Uniontown and I hate to say the local government "ran them into the ditch". They have been poorly governed and underutilized in the past and its a shame. The people deserve better, I wish the best for them.

  • @stephendove7447
    @stephendove7447 5 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    Wow.... I drove through there once before it was a horrible smell driving through the town now I know what it was feel so sorry for those people

  • @bobcarr5497
    @bobcarr5497 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is unacceptable! I also live very close to one of 16 worse sites for dumping. Fortunately it was closed in 1980 but to this day its checked by EPA because we still have issues to this day in Uniontown Ohio.
    I'm disgusted that you are still dealing with this.

  • @beverlydenny2274
    @beverlydenny2274 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    In my mind I feel like our people are still in slavery

  • @nikkireacts2180
    @nikkireacts2180 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thank you. I was brought to this video after researching environmental racism in the US, in particular Selma Al which is merely a few miles from Union Town. When a government is exposed in one area I don't think racial injustice stops. I believe the hate is suttely concentrated and/or transfered to another area.

  • @barbarabuckney3422
    @barbarabuckney3422 6 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Wow that is ridiculous in 2018 this is still going on this needs to stop

    • @blanca0981
      @blanca0981 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Barbara Buckney what needs to stop is this dirty corrupt town ruining people out of money with their speed traps and aggressive “police officers”

    • @SkadooHusky
      @SkadooHusky 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@blanca0981 I've only seen one union town police officer. He was sitting across from a/the gas station and didn't do a thing as multiple people bought alcohol, drank it as they walked to their car and drove off while still drinking from an open container.

    •  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Babs, go dig a well.

    • @GAURAV25855ify
      @GAURAV25855ify 19 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Alabama has alot of toxic dumbing in rivers

  • @mikethomas8339
    @mikethomas8339 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    you guys need a leader who is willing to fight back dont fight alone,get other people involved,other towns other cities people who love people will help black od white,people who love people will help remenber,WE THE PEOPLE,WE love life,freedom and hope lets work together aš one peoples

  • @erinjones6705
    @erinjones6705 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    My family lives not far from Uniontown. they lives in Demopolis

  • @TheLeftOverKing
    @TheLeftOverKing 6 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    what is "Now This"? never heard of you and your views are low but this is some high quality work! i like the information you're putting out, just wondering if you're known for something outside of youtube. keep it up!

  • @tamikadriver36
    @tamikadriver36 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Help now 2019 I'm hit by brutal air , food drug trafficking, in Birmingham alabama by cult, corrupt companies

    •  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Move you fool, your not oppressed, your ignorant.

  • @Me-by8qi
    @Me-by8qi 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    A problem with property rights... What you're allowed to do on your property... If it influences the property of othes... Crazy...

    • @Me-by8qi
      @Me-by8qi 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Seriously?! Fuck! How are they allowed to do that with waste water? FUCK!

  • @Me-by8qi
    @Me-by8qi 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    One good thing out of all of this. In times of high stress, you're more likely to call to community. "Kelly McGonigal - The upside of stress"

    • @mmmbiscuits1211
      @mmmbiscuits1211 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      its really sad, lots of towns in Alabama are poisoned. i used to work in a town called tarrant. Lots of residents died from cancer, then they were evacuated.

  • @thebestofj.fraley
    @thebestofj.fraley ปีที่แล้ว

    My Lord what a disaster! I can't believe this is happening. If an apology is needed, our government owes these people that. It's obvious they need to clean this place up. Instead of the company suing these people, these people should be suing them. The EPA should also be involved in helping these people. This is a nightmare, and I feel bad for them. No matter your color, no one deserves this treatment.

  • @TolberTv
    @TolberTv 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    My grandfather was born in this town and this is how they are doing our Ancestors. I'm so disgusted!

    • @GAURAV25855ify
      @GAURAV25855ify 19 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Leave the state then Alabama is a dixiestate

    • @GAURAV25855ify
      @GAURAV25855ify 19 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Alabama is dirt poor state

  • @user-ov1jl5vj2t
    @user-ov1jl5vj2t 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This sad it makes me wanna cry my ancestors were slaves down there... you would think after all the years the government in the people in high position would have taken care of that

  • @avi486
    @avi486 27 วันที่ผ่านมา

    So sad. This is a failure of our government.

  • @feliciawijnaar230
    @feliciawijnaar230 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love you to do right My Dear🙏Pray for All .💢

  • @erinjones6705
    @erinjones6705 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    😢😢😢😢😢😢

  • @veronicaharwick9013
    @veronicaharwick9013 ปีที่แล้ว

    💔

  • @johnconlow3336
    @johnconlow3336 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I really think this video is great to inform people of something they might not know about. Another great youtube video on this subject is 'Words Have Power' on Planet Classroom Network. This video is about a young girl who helps to shut down Connecticut's last coal-powered plant.

  • @Mr.BigBadWolf
    @Mr.BigBadWolf 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow 1882 to 1925

  • @KPHeg
    @KPHeg 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Still buying our ppl even in their after life! What happened to NAACP (and such) and their legal aid when "big" industry is involved?!!

  • @dipakpathak3690
    @dipakpathak3690 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Who is here to watch the video beyond the class assignment pressure 😂😂😂😂😜😜😆😆

  • @BlackEducationRadio
    @BlackEducationRadio 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Human rights issue not civil rights. Human rights is when you aren't being treated like a human! Civil rights is when you're not being treated like a citizen. Getting poisoned is not a civil rights issue!

    • @ignaciobarcinas7957
      @ignaciobarcinas7957 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I think the distinction comes where they moved the coal ash from a predominantly white county to a predominantly poor black county and their voices aren't being heard. I think that's where the "civil" rights label can be applied. Still definitely a human rights issue as well.

    • @AAMUQuadChoppa
      @AAMUQuadChoppa 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It is when it only targets black comminities. Stop supporting racists in Alabama. Yes they are racists. They are the ones who bombed black churches and arrested MLK.A

    • @TheAcrimonious14
      @TheAcrimonious14 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      you know why it's a civil rights issue. the whites are deliberately killing these black people

    • @ebonyessence2838
      @ebonyessence2838 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      So ignorant....Human rights yields civil rights....everyone has a right to have clean drinking water and air....Jim Crow segregation allowed for black children not to drink out of clean water fountains....same things.... Discrimination is discrimination.....

    • @GAURAV25855ify
      @GAURAV25855ify 19 วันที่ผ่านมา

      ​@@AAMUQuadChoppaabd now they are polluted the water and enviroment flint Michigan Jackson mississippi are prime examples

  • @chrissams6230
    @chrissams6230 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    First they put have the population in the Jail now this

    • @erinjones6705
      @erinjones6705 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Chris Sams. yes it looks like they finding reasons to get rid of us blacks

    • @lindipearson9633
      @lindipearson9633 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      It has nothing to do with race and everything to do with money. Get a job save some money and move out of that town. It's not that difficult of a concept.

  • @Mr.BigBadWolf
    @Mr.BigBadWolf 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I would move seriously

  • @feliciawijnaar230
    @feliciawijnaar230 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Is this thing always there🤧😷🤫no wonder!?!?

  • @kannadijohnson1926
    @kannadijohnson1926 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Stay woke my love
    God will not forsake His people 🙏🏿
    I am with you
    🤴🏿Mr Exceptional

  • @DB-su5qp
    @DB-su5qp 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    An insight into the Middle Ages.

  • @cwashing21isme
    @cwashing21isme 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    And this only gets 10 minutes worth of time???.... SMH

  • @pimperish666
    @pimperish666 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    No offense but Alabama is a state with very little industries other than automotive sand chemicals. Not exactly a state anyone would want to live in. Basically it’s a dump and the epa isn’t doing anything like they didn’t do anything in Flint Michigan.
    And jeez the south is fat. These folks are worried about this and not their own health. Booker looks like he needs to get on a diet as well.

  • @Jdvdsnn
    @Jdvdsnn 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I've been drinking and driving and surviving

  • @omega-gz3yq
    @omega-gz3yq 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    SWEET HOME ALABAMA 😂

    • @inyoface05
      @inyoface05 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Bro... Not now... When somebody fucks their Sister... Then we release the memes

  • @turnovertheleaf5505
    @turnovertheleaf5505 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This isn't racism. Its being poor

  • @MJSCONSTRUCTION
    @MJSCONSTRUCTION 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    This is not a race issue. If people would realize they live in bfe of course they are going to remove the waste from a big city. If the so called black community would realize maybe if we quit moaning and complaining about white priveledge and no one helps us. To get help you have to prove your worth helping its called go get a job and learn to take care of your stuff. The state needs to help but they don't need to just give everything to you off of others tax money. In this day in age we are humans and God has told us if we dont work we dont eat and to love others. So if they want change show us by actions not by sitting on your butt moaning. Thank you people

    • @lindipearson9633
      @lindipearson9633 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Preach!!

    • @TheAcrimonious14
      @TheAcrimonious14 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      you're disgusting

    • @missnperfection9830
      @missnperfection9830 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Fuck you! Get off you're mighty high horse! Who the fuck said these people didn't work! ..asshole! All they said was they didn't want people poisoning their town! ..that's not so much to ask for! Put it in the rich white neighborhoods!

    • @Tombee2
      @Tombee2 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I don't care about your opinion on white privilege is but in the context of this video your arguing the black people in this community should stop complaining about the toxic waste that's killing them because they are poor and (apparently) lazy. Which you have no proof of (seriously how are they lazy because they're on welfare *really!?*) By the way how is telling those people shut up when they "complain" about something that killing them helping them? How are they supposed to fix the problem their selves when they don't have the power to do so? Lastly how is any of what you said "love"? Because if you love someone you don't allow them to die in filth. You help them till they are able to help them selves.

  • @lindipearson9633
    @lindipearson9633 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    If you were upset that a company owns the land your ancestors are buried on then you should have bought the land yourself. If it was really that important to you you would have done anything including getting a job or a second job or even a third job to make sure you got that land. But no one wants to do that. They just want to talk about how horrible is that someone can own land that they want

    • @worstreviewedgamer5913
      @worstreviewedgamer5913 5 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      Lindi Pearson stfu

    • @lindipearson9633
      @lindipearson9633 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@worstreviewedgamer5913 I guess you hate hearing the truth

    • @worstreviewedgamer5913
      @worstreviewedgamer5913 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      It obviously isn’t. You think someone living in a small town has enough money to buy up land like that? You think someone would really work three jobs for however long to buy that land. You’re dumb af. And you obviously don’t know how the world works.

    • @TheAcrimonious14
      @TheAcrimonious14 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      You're a fucking delusional racist bitch

    • @lindipearson9633
      @lindipearson9633 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@worstreviewedgamer5913 If it's that important to you would. I live in Alabama, just like these people, and if there was something I really cared about, instead of complaining about itExpecting someone else to solve my problems for me, I would Handle it myself. If that entails getting a second or 3rd job to make it a reality, then that's what would have to happen. You are not entitled to everything you want. You are not entitled to money or land or food or anything else.If you want it or it is important to you, then it is your job to make that happen or deal with not having it. I wish people would start understanding that they are not entitled to things. No One owes you anything!

  • @lindipearson9633
    @lindipearson9633 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    If the residents would get a job and bring some money into that area then I can assure you this would not happen. Take some pride in your community and don't treat it like a trash Heap and other people won't treat it like a trash Heap as well. The majority of this town is on welfare and does not work there for the town is not getting any tax revenue. They said this was the only way they could keep the town afloat financially which is never a good thing to do but they didn't really have a choice since the people of the community will not put anything into it themselves. Destroying Environmental elements is never a good thing but if you had more pride in your community and put time, money, and resources into it they would not have to resort to these horrible, baser measures

    • @cleverotter98
      @cleverotter98 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Why can't poor people just get money lmao

    • @lindipearson9633
      @lindipearson9633 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@cleverotter98 I can't they get a job and actually work instead of depending completely on the government for housing, utilities, food, spending money, Transportation, And literally everything else in their lives. Unless they are very old Or have a PHYSICAL disability (None of this, I'm depressed or I have bipolar BS. Now understandably if they have something like severe schizophrenia or things like that, which they should be hospitalized because of, They should be able to get government subsidies like welfare. But you should not be able to get them for everything you get them for now) you should be able to work and contribute to society. We have a country of freeloaders. And if you have a job and still can't support your family, Then you need to go back to school at night or get a second job. Or maybe the best option of all is to not make poor life decisions so that you can be responsible and not be a drain on society. I don't think that is too much to ask

    • @Tombee2
      @Tombee2 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@lindipearson9633 do you not believe in reality!? You can't be serious! Dude you physically cannot pull yourself up by your boot straps the phrase was to mock the idea. Saying poor people should just get jobs is literally telling me you don't know the situation.
      Fine poor people should get jobs: how are they going to find those jobs? Where are those jobs being offered? Because the whole economy of the community is in shambles they don't have many jobs to work with.
      How much time and energy do you think one person has Because your saying a person should have 2 or 3 jobs then get night classes so they can get better jobs.
      Again where are they supposed to find those classes and with what time? They already have 2 or 3 jobs at what point do they sleep? How are they gonna study for those classes if they have 2 or 3 jobs!?
      And honestly I think you should read up on what mental illness is and why it's covered for Medicare because it's not just being sad.

    • @lindipearson9633
      @lindipearson9633 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Tombee2 1st off you can take classes online and do it in your spare time. Secondly it's not that hard to get a job. You can find them at McDonald's and fast food literally anytime you want to and they will pretty much higher anyone that goes for car washes and other minimum wage jobs. Third, I agree that there's not a lot of time when you have so many jobs, however Something is so important to you that You will make sacrifices to make it a reality, then you should do that instead of asking for other people to solve your problems.Because it's not other people's jobs to solve your problems. And fourth, And this is the big point, If people which stop making crapy life decisions and get an education and a actual career instead of just a job, And make responsible decisions for their life, It would not be such a struggle. I'm not saying poor people Are to blame for being born into poverty, however I am saying that Being in America Allows you to Up from almost nothing through hard work, perservere, etc But mainly hard work and not making poor life decisions. I am from Alabama and i witness these types of people who Font to night for life decisions such as getting pregnant early and quitting school and getting in trouble with the law as well as other things and then want to blame societee for all of their problems. I think they deserve to be rich like their idols Without hard work, they deserve a career without any education, And They deserve to have a life that they want handed to them. Well that is not life And it should not be.

    • @lindipearson9633
      @lindipearson9633 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Tombee2 And I'm not talking about all mental illness. A great at the extremely serious ones that make you Incapacitated should be covered by medicare, However many of the ones that are covered today do not make you incapacitated and many people can be fully functioning humans and work with those certain ailments. They Just use that as an excuse not to work. If you could not depend on the government and had to work to eat then that means you can actually work. Even if they only work part time That would be better than nothing. Bipolar and depression are not incapacitating.

  • @lindipearson9633
    @lindipearson9633 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    None of this is a civil rights issue. You can move to a nicer part of town or you can get together at a community and fix your neighborhoods and get jobs and bring more money into your community so they won't have to do things environmentally unfriendly to bring money into the coffers

    • @TheAcrimonious14
      @TheAcrimonious14 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      you must be one of then whites

    • @Tombee2
      @Tombee2 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      This shit shouldn't happen at all. Regardless if your poor,black,white,Asian, Hispanic,what ever. The mere idea of passing this off as just pull yourself up by your own boot straps is so utter bullshit that I can't even understand how some one could make that argument. We aren't a 3rd world gov. If Western society is so good then why does this happen!?

    • @genebohannon8820
      @genebohannon8820 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      President Obama did so much for race hate it is sad. It looks like he may be in jail soon.)

    • @orenturnbough7042
      @orenturnbough7042 ปีที่แล้ว

      Should we also just solve cancer, solve world hunger, solve the debt crisis, solve the rising CPI. Things can’t just be solved, these people are poor and don’t have money to fight this issue. Then again I doubt you would understand you don’t seem all too bright

    • @lindipearson9633
      @lindipearson9633 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@orenturnbough7042 You can make better decisions or get a second job or Apply for night school. There are so many options it just requires hard work. When you get in a system of dependency from our welfare system, all of that becomes harder. I am familiar with this town and some of the people in it So I have a much more focused view than you. Making sacrifices for personal or community betterment is no longer a sought after trait. And This issue is nothing like cancer bc with cancer we have the will just not the way. and it's the exact opposite with fixing this town.