Friendship

Malcolm Jones and Lathaniel Kirts are lifelong friends who are teaming up to deal with harmful coal dust that clouds the air in their hometown. The source: coal terminals that together form America’s largest coal export system. For decades, residents in two Black neighborhoods in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia have complained about the coal dust that coats the inside and outside of their homes, cars and playgrounds. Dust they also breathe. Many residents are deeply concerned about the impact of coal dust on their health and lives. Others are unaware of the dust and its effects. Crosswinds puts residents at the center of the story of coal dust in Hampton Roads, and what’s unfolding now in an effort to build healthier neighborhoods and lives.

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S2E2 - Change Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

Gentrification may be leverage needed to push environmental mitigation in neighborhoods coated in coal dust in Hampton Roads, Virginia. But changes in the neighborhood can also push residents out of their homes. And people wonder – how will the coal dust affect newcomers to the neighborhood, who may not know about the problem?

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S2E3 - Cost Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

Since the earliest days of railroads in the US, Black and poor residents have covered the costs of the coal and rail industries with their health and well-being. It’s a tax they pay to wealthy fossil fuel corporations, who continue to escape accountability. This isn’t just in Hampton Roads – all along the railroad tracks, from West Virginia to Baltimore, the coal and rail industries displace costs onto neighboring residents.

Two versions of John Henry presented courtesy of the Library of Congress American Folklife Center and the Alan Lomax Collection there.

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S2E4 - Proof Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

There is a new study that could offer more information on the coal dust in Hampton Roads, Virginia. But will it be enough to reduce coal dust? Doubt hangs in the air. The only thing residents know for sure is they want the coal dust gone.

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S2E5 - Faith Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

Residents of Hampton Roads are demanding an end to the coal dust after decades of struggle. But the road to environmental justice is long and winding, full of setbacks and switchbacks. What does it mean to have faith that change is possible and that effort is worthwhile?

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Introducing: CROSSWINDS Jan 17, 2024

Show notes

Crosswinds

People struggle to breathe in two predominantly Black neighborhoods on Virginia's east coast. Toxic coal dust clouds the air in Southeast Newport News and Lambert’s Point in Norfolk, Virginia. The source: two terminals that together form America’s largest coal export system. For decades, residents in both neighborhoods have complained of coal dust that coats the interiors of their homes, cars and playgrounds in a fine black dust. Dust they also breathe. A 2005 study found asthma rates to be more than double the city and state-wide averages in Southeast Newport News. Some residents are deeply concerned about the impact of the dust on their lives. Others are unaware of the dust and its effects.

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Crosswinds is a project of the Repair Lab. The Repair Lab is part of the University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute for Democracy.

Find out more at http://www.coaldustkills.com

Live from the Attucks Theatre 8-5-2023 Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

A live panel takes us deeper into themes of housing, race and sea-level rise particular to Norfolk, VA. This panel features Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander, Monét Johnson and Kim Sudderth.

Some highlights:

Dr. Newby-Alexander quotes from "Frozen 2"
Monét doesn't hold back
Kim gives some solid advice

This was recorded live at the Attucks Theatre as part of our Community Listening Party on August 5, 2023.

Transcript coming soon at twotitans.org.

Find out more at http://www.coaldustkills.com

S1E5 - Resilient City Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

“If we are to save our city, we're going to have to throw everything at it.” Different approaches to resilience in Norfolk reflect different ideas about what resilience means. Big solutions have big effects, but leave some residents behind. Others aim to fill gaps left behind by the big ones. www.twotitans.org @therepairlab on Twitter Archival selections via the City of Norfolk. Read the City of Norfolk’s report on the Floodwall Extension Plan here. Learn about the Environmental Justice Policy Clinic here. Learn more about Wetlands Watch and their work on their website. Read about sea-level rise and explore maps, projections and impacts at the National Climate Assessment. This episode was written, recorded, produced, edited, mixed, mastered and hosted by Adrian Wood. Show art by Adrian Wood. Story editing by Kelly Jones. Music by Sugarlift. This episode features the voices of Vincent Hodges, Vernell Fields, Johnny Finn, April Hatfield, Skip Stiles, Dr. Kenny Alexander, Chip Filer, Kim Sudderth, and workshop participants. With support from the Karsh Institute of Democracy.

Find out more at http://www.coaldustkills.com

S1E4 - The City Dreams Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

“What is gonna happen for us – or to us – with this project?” April lives in Grandy Village in Norfolk, VA. Her waterfront neighborhood floods a lot, but that’s getting fixed with the Ohio Creek Watershed Project. The project is a dream come true, but the reality is more complicated. www.twotitans.org @therepairlab on Twitter Archival selections from the Virginia General Assembly and via the City of Norfolk. Sea-level rise estimates are drawn from a 2017 NOAA report, cited in the 2021 Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan. Read WTKR’s coverage on the Ohio Creek Watershed Project here. Here is the City of Norfolk’s page on the Ohio Creek Project, and the project’s official website. Learn more about Wetlands Watch and their work on their website. Read about sea-level rise and explore maps, projections and impacts at the National Climate Assessment. Here’s Andrew Kahrl’s work on coastal real estate development in the US. This episode was written, recorded, produced, edited, mixed, mastered and hosted by Adrian Wood. Show art by Adrian Wood. Story editing by Kelly Jones. Music by Sugarlift. This episode features the voices of April Hatfield, Skip Stiles, Ashley Hobbes, Del. Mark Keam, Sen. Lynwood Lewis, Andria McClellan, Paul Riddick, Andrew Kahrl, Kim Sudderth and Vincent Hodges. With support from the Karsh Institute of Democracy.