June 5, 2006 - Day 6 - Week 9 - “Cancer” (originally written in 1994)

And I quote Peter G. Kreitler from The Earth’s Killer C’s.

“While the cancer industry ignores the cries of “fix the environment, CURE CANCER,” the incidence of cancer in America continues to rise by 2% yearly. We have spent 8 billion dollars trying to find the cure, but none is in sight.  In this year Americans will suffer with the reality of the death of over one half million people from cancer.  Cancer concern is at the heart of everyone’s family health agenda, yet too little is done to connect the amount of cancer with environmental contamination.”

“Why not offer a large percentage of the millions of dollars presently funding research to environmental organizations who are trying to gain compliance with clean air and clean water legislation?  (What a radical idea)  In reality, front line eco-conservative activist may be doing more for the health of the population than al the hospital research combined because our basic elements that are supposed to sustain life now contain chemicals that cause cancer.

Concern about cancer dominates the thinking of many segments of society, especially within the “CHEMICAL CORRIDORS’ in our cities or “chemical valleys’ in the rural parts of our nation.  Cancer scares us to death, but too often we abdicate responsibility to the cancer industry to find the cure and condemn the activists who challenge the industries that are polluting with cancer-causing substances.  Every citizen must put on the badge of courage and become a CANCER COP.  Learn about the environment from a selfish, self-centered point of view, because your life and your children’s lives depend on it.

Each one of us can take an interest in our local environment, especially as it relates to our children’s health.  Two years ago (1992) the winner of the top prize of LA Magazine’s Environmental Pride Awards was a grandmother named Stormy Williams. She has fought for years to protect her rural community from a wide variety of un-healthful factory emissions.  She has been threatened, ridiculed, and finally honored for her courage.  “I’ve made a difference,” she says proudly, “but not a lot of friends in the industry.”  Several years ago the Concerned Citizens of South Central LA said no to the construction of the Lancer Disposal Site in their community because of health concerns.  Granted, the sitting of toxic producing factories or industries is a difficult task, yet the air we breathe must remain clean or we will all have environmentally caused health problems one day.

People everywhere, especially in communities of color are talking and doing something about environmental justice and toxic racism.  “Not in my backyard” should mean not in anyone’s backyard, unless the industry does not adversely affect the health and well-being of the neighbors.

Today there are over 5000 environmental groups across the country voicing their concern. Many of them are fighting for the health of the children, especially in the inner city. They should be applauded, rewarded, and financially supported by eco-conservatives everywhere.

Community activism must be balance with personal changes…”