The things I found most interesting on the Louisiana Bucket Brigade (LABB) website were the application criteria and its rewards. Upon first hearing about the organization, and what they stood for I was under the impression that anyone could help play a part; this isn’t so. In order to join LABB here are some of its requirements :
- Currently enrolled (junior, senior or graduate student) at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or a recent graduate (2008 and after); or
- Grew up in a neighborhood next to an environmental hazard; or
- Member of a student association dedicated to minorities (ie Black Student Association, Society of Asian Public Health Professionals)
- Interested in a career in the field of environmental health and justice.
- Grade point average is 3.0 or higher.
- If selected, will be available for the entire nine week program: June 4, 2012 – August 3, 2012
Of these criteria many parts caught my attention for example, “student of a HBCU,” “member of minority association,” “and even “3.0 GPA or higher.” This was really important to me because often we hear people say “Don’t complain, if you’re not going to push for change,” and this is exactly what LABB is doing. Some or better yet most of the environmental injustices are taking place in uninformed,poor, minority neighborhoods. Residents are being bribed with money, and told that the proposed changes won’t have an impact on them or their well- being.
With this LABB is recruiting the citizens of these neighborhoods and educating them on the neccesities needed to help others, and help make a change; and instead of being bribed with money to release hazardous chemicals, or create massive landfills, LABB pays its participants $3,000 for their nine weeks of hard dedication.
In conclusion, LABB not only helps make changes in local environments, but it also helps make changes in local people. This organization proves that anything can be done, great or small, if you put your mind to it.
- “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” -Unknown
