{"id":17988,"date":"2017-09-20T10:52:35","date_gmt":"2017-09-20T15:52:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/?p=17988"},"modified":"2017-09-25T11:48:17","modified_gmt":"2017-09-25T16:48:17","slug":"edf-celebrates-hispanic-heritage-together-we-can-shape-a-bright-future-for-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/2017\/09\/20\/edf-celebrates-hispanic-heritage-together-we-can-shape-a-bright-future-for-america\/","title":{"rendered":"EDF celebrates Hispanic Heritage \u2013 Together we can shape a bright future for America"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/em>Last week marked the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month<\/a>, a time to celebrate the culture, history and contributions of American citizens whose ancestry can be traced to Spain, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Unlike most observance months, it runs from September 15 to October 15 to encompass the anniversaries of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s theme is \u201cShaping the Bright Future of America.\u201d Despite the concerning policy directions and general tone of negativity toward Latinos, people of color, women and others that has emanated from the Trump White House; I still believe America\u2019s future is bright.<\/p>\n

I also believe, however, it is our responsibility as Latinos invested in the freedom and opportunities that the United States represents, to speak out and help shape national policies that preserve these fundamental ideals and principles. For this reason, EDF is collaborating with numerous Latino advocacy organizations to ensure the community is putting pressure on Congress to make the right votes for America.<\/p>\n

Since Trump ran for President, his rhetoric has been deeply disturbing, to say the least. His dangerous attitude and harmful speech has informed the direction of his Administration, and led to policies (or the threat of policies) that negatively affect Latinos.<\/p>\n

Of great concern is his proposed budget<\/a> for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Trump\u2019s 30 percent cut would threaten the health and safety of all Americans, and threaten disaster preparedness.<\/a><\/p>\n

Latino populations are much more vulnerable to environmental threats than average and when natural or man-made disasters strike, they are often affected the most.<\/p>\n

When Flint, Michigan first started experiencing lead-contaminated water, the Latino community received information long after other residents and faced prolonged exposure to the effects of drinking the water. The lack of Spanish-language resources and fear of seeking government assistance due to immigration status or general mistrust posed and continues to pose extra dangers for the community.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>I experienced this firsthand when I was deployed by then EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to engage the Flint community in the Agency\u2019s emergency response efforts. Faith-based institutions and community organizations shared devastating stories about families not knowing the water was contaminated until their families outside of Michigan told them about the national news reports.<\/p>\n

Then, families were afraid to pick up water filters and bottled water from Red Cross stations because of the National Guard presence and ID checks. Families even shielded away from receiving resources from churches fearing sting operations by ICE. And door-to-door distribution did not work for any Flint residents because of concern that warrants were also being served along with a 12-pack of water.<\/p>\n

Flint may not be a natural disaster like Hurricane Harvey, but disaster relief services there are still lacking and mistrust still remains. This is especially true for the immigrant community in the Houston-metro area, where there are nearly 600,000 unauthorized immigrants, most of Hispanic descent. As NPR reported, some immigrants are afraid to go to the store for supplies or call for rescue because they worry about being arrested, deported, and separated from their families.<\/p>\n

Scenarios such as these are both heartbreaking and infuriating.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Trump\u2019s attempt to hobble the EPA\u2019s disaster preparedness and ability to protect human health and the environment is not the only policy that will negatively affect Latinos.<\/p>\n