Mother Baltimore: ‘Unfair and unequal’
Lately, I’ve thought a lot about this Eve Ewing quote:
We have to understand that, as we face climate change and as we face the consequences of all the terrible things we’ve done to this one planet, the only planet we have, those consequences are always going to be unfurled in a way that’s unfair and unequal according to the schisms that we already built into society in which we live.
She made these comments during a book talk at the University of Kansas for her 2017 poetry collection “Electric Arches”. I covered the 2018 event as a correspondent for the school’s newspaper, The University Daily Kansan. The Chicago-bred poet offered that analysis to reference her poem that mentions the 1995 heat wave in Chicago that killed over 700 people, most of whom were Black.
As historic flooding damaged a neighborhood in East St. Louis last month, I revisited that quote. As displaced residents are still trying to return to their mold-infested homes, I revisited that quote. Whenever there’s a global crisis, it’s no secret that the least powerful in society will witness most of its effects (see: COVID-19 and its impact on Black communities).
Understanding that fact and its implications is imperative before another inevitable weather event severely alters the lives of those who are already trying to reach normality on a daily basis.
Now, here’s the latest news in southwestern Illinois:
Many still displaced, East St. Louis flood victims can find help through city, Lowe’s
This week, East St. Louis announced a new partnership with Lowe’s to provide cleaning supplies and other materials to help residents recover from flash flooding that devastated the city. Heavy rainfall caused severe flash flooding in East St. Louis and other areas last month, prompting Gov. J.B. Pritzker to issue a disaster declaration. While the city tries to offer support, residents continue to have urgent concerns. BND reporter DeAsia Paige talked to residents about those concerns.
More on flash flooding in East St. Louis:
New resource center for flooding victims opens in East St. Louis. Officials address concerns.
Volunteers start cleaning East St. Louis neighborhood hit hardest by severe flooding
Pritzker announces IL grant to help fix ‘notorious’ overflowing sewers in Cahokia Heights
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a $21 million grant to alleviate flooding and sewage problems in Cahokia Heights. The funding is designed to improve the city’s wastewater collection system that has plagued residents for decades. The issue has incited two lawsuits filed against the city and other entities for negligence. BND reporter Mike Koziatek covered the governor’s press conference last week.
More on flooding in Cahokia Heights:
How much damage did flooding cause in southwest IL? Here’s a town-by-town assessment so far
‘I’m traumatized.’ Residents in East St. Louis, Cahokia Heights try to recover from flooding
New I-64 interchange to include Black cemetery monument, space for pedestrians and bikes
Earlier this week, the Illinois Department of Transportation held a public hearing in Washington Park to inform stakeholders about its $28.5 million plan to replace Interstate 64 and Illinois 111 interchange. The plan includes moving human remains left behind during a 1960’s cemetery relocation and dedicating a monument for Black people buried in the area. BND Teri Maddox attended the hearing on the project.
More on new I-64 interchange:
Remains found at former Black cemetery site complicate plan to replace I-64 overpass
IDOT proposes moving remains in former Black cemetery for Interstate 64 bridge work
What to do
This section of Mother Baltimore highlights upcoming events in the metro-east that are relevant to Black communities. If you have tips for events, send them to dsutgrey@bnd.com
Spark Inspire Create Experience
August 13-14th, Virtual
New Life in Christ Interdenominational Church, located in O’Fallon, is offering a new conference designed to prepare young adults for career and leadership opportunities. Spark Inspire Create Experience will feature guest speakers who’ll offer guidance on developing the next generation of community leaders. Pastor Geoff V. Dudley II will host the conference. The event is $35 and participants can register here. For more information, email sparkinspirecreate@gmail.com.
What to watch
“Rap Sh!t”
Created by Issa Rae, “Rap Sh!t” follows two friends from Miami, FL, who attempt to take over the rap game. The show, which premiered earlier this month, conveys both the struggles and successes associated with trying to be a popular female duo in a male-dominated genre. “Rap Sh!t” paints a very relatable story of how female rappers have to work harder to be taken seriously for their art. The series airs on HBO Max every Thursday at 8 p.m. CST.
What to read
America has a problem and Beyoncé ain’t it
In this New York Times review of Beyoncé’s glorious “Renaissance”, Wesley Morris writes about the superstar’s latest behemoth and how it adds another layer to her prosaic discography while celebrating the subgenres of dance music and its unsung pioneers:
This is an album whose big idea is house. And its sense of house is enormous. It’s mansion music. “Renaissance” is adjacent to where pop’s been: pulsing and throbbing. Its muscles are larger, its limbs flexier, its ego secure. I don’t hear marketplace concerns. Its sense of adventure is off the genre’s map, yet very much aware of every coordinate. It’s an achievement of synthesis that never sounds slavish or synthetic. These songs are testing this music, celebrating how capacious it is, how pliable.
That’s all she wrote!
Talk to y’all in two weeks!
Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can sign-up for Mother Baltimore here. If you’d prefer to unsubscribe from this newsletter, you can do so at any time using the “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of this message.
Want to learn more about the origin of Mother Baltimore? Click here.
