The environmental and human impact of our global economy is visible in ports, where chemicals, oil, natural gas, and massive containers of goods are moved, shipped, and stored. In this video op-ed, activist Jan Victor Andasan describes how the pollution spewing from these ports, pipelines, refineries, and rail yards contaminates the air of nearby communities, causing long-term health problems for their family and neighbors. Andasan explains how organizations like the East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice advocate for clean air, such as requiring ports to move to zero-waste operations.
- Andasan’s op-ed focuses on the working-class communities that surround the container ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Who lives in these communities? Why is the air so polluted in these neighborhoods? How does the pollution affect the people who live in these communities?
- Andasan makes several strong, vivid claims in their argument. Find a quote from the video or the written op-ed (0:43) that stands out to you. Sandwich that quote using the techniques explained in Chapter 3 and explain why you think this claim is significant.
- This video, which features the sights and sounds of the ports, freeways, rail yards, and refineries, was produced in response to Andasan’s written op-ed published in the Los Angeles Times. Read this op-ed (0:43). How does hearing and seeing Andasan affect how you respond to the argument? Compare the tone of the written argument and the video argument. Which argument do you find more persuasive? Why?
- At the end of the video, Andasan responds to the “so what?” question by asking, “Do you think about pollution as violence?” (2:30) Explain what this means in your own words. Who is responsible for the violence? Who gets hurt? Why do you think Andasan chooses to describe pollution as “violence”?
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