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November 08, 2005
The Race Files: Know issues and vote
The mayoral candidates of St. Paul came to campus last week. This gave us the opportunity to rise to the occasion as a campus with our attendance and passion like we did during the presidential elections. Not often are we given such an opportunity to question candidates face-to-face.
Whether we live in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or in other areas, the candidates expect students’ ears and voices. Though the publicity surrounding the mayoral elections may not reach the level that we saw with the presidential election, the mayoral candidates warrant equal contemplation and attention from students. It might be difficult to imagine the next few years of our lives, but many of us will most likely stick around in the area. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to who will be leading and affecting our communities.
Communities typically bear the brunt of financial cuts, and though at first glance, the mayoral race indirectly addresses these issues, it is central to all of the candidates’ platforms. Environmental justice is the encompassing term for many issues. It looks to equalize and involve all people, regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic class, race, gender, or ability “with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” Environmental justice efforts also focus on addressing disproportionate, adverse environmental conditions in low-income and target communities. Prime examples of issues involving environmental justice include air pollution, wastewater and sewage, and the preservation/creation of green space, waste sites, and public transit.
Soon, we might find ourselves living in areas and conditions that we never dreamed possible. It is not an uncommon occurrence for graduates to find themselves in neighborhoods inhabited by working-class families, individuals, and homeless people. These communities often lack public parks and suffer from high exhaust, inefficient public transit, and inadequate resources.
Although these issues may seem far off, they are already affecting us now. As residents of the metro area, we reside in or near areas which have much room for improvement. We might move back home, out of state, or into the communities that we’d like to believe these issues are specific to, yet issues of environmental justice are never specific to a zip code, race, or income bracket. Our membership inside of geographical communities is unpredictable. That is why it is vital to look to the mayoral candidates’ goals and stances on issues regarding environmental justice, as well as ask them questions pertinent to our future inside the Twin Cities.
The candidates have already visited. From the events, form an opinion and take action regarding your future beyond the campus. Voting for Minneapolis and St. Paul will take place on Nov. 8.
Posted by msveum at November 8, 2005 11:48 AM
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