Do you live in A Gritty City?

Yesterday, urban gossip blog, Mediatakeout.com posted a story on the Federal Bureau of Investigations recent data release of the top ten cities you just might get murked (translation killed) in. Here is the list:

1) New Orleans, La. – 57 0r 64 per 100,000 people
2) St. Louis, Mo. – 47 per 100,000 people
3) Baltimore, Md. – 37 per 100,000 people
4) Birmingham, Ala. – 36 per 100,000 people
5) Jackson, Miss. – 36 per 100,000 people
6) Detroit, Mich. – 34 per 100,000 people
7) Baton Rouge, La. – 30 per 100,000 people
8) Oakland, Calif. – 29 per 100,000 people
9) Flint, Mich. – 28 per 100,000 people
10) Richmond, Calif. – 27 per 100,000 people

The funny part about this list is that many of these cities are also cities that face huge environmental and economic justice issues. These are the cities that have been hit by the worst natural disasters, the collapse of blue-collar industries of automobile and steel and environmental degradation and public health risks from toxic sites like oil refineries, power plants and landfills.

Most of the residents of these cities are people of color and this triple edged sword of Crime, Joblessness and Environmental Injustice is what makes a city "Gritty".

But in the midst of grit, grime and crime are some diamond in the rough leaders, art, and new green businesses that are sprouting up and leading the way towards a new vision for American cities.

As part of our Gritty City Series we will highlight all ten of the cities mentioned above the good the bad and the plain "ol ugly. Subscribe to Checktheweather today so you can know what's up and who's in the know.

Oh and if you live in a Gritty City and got something we should know about give us a holla by commenting on this post.

The report media takeout referenced is City Crime Rankings 2008-2009: Crime in Metropolitan America. The Report was recently published by CQ press. Check out the listings and how your city ranks below or visit http://os.cqpress.com/citycrime2008/citycrime2008.htm

Read More

"A dry roof over a toxic trailer beats no roof at all."- Katrina Survivors Rally at FEMA Headquarters to Stop Trailer Evictions

By MARIA RECIO
McClatchy Newspapers

With a FEMA trailer parked across the street, a coalition of Gulf Coast activists stood outside the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters Monday to mark the start of hurricane season, to demand Hurricane Katrina rebuilding and to protest the latest deadline for eviction of about 5,000 residents from FEMA trailers.

"The people of the Gulf Coast don't want FEMA trailers," Michele Roberts, of the Advocates for Environmental Human Rights, told a small crowd. "They want to rebuild homes."

FEMA, facing a public relations disaster of leaving Katrina victims homeless, again backed off a deadline - the most recent was May 30 - while activists said that even a trailer laced with toxic formaldehyde is better than no home.

"FEMA is continuing to work with federal, state and local partners to help area residents make the transition to long-term housing," said FEMA spokesman Clark Stevens. "New options are being finalized in the next few days, and no one will face eviction from a temporary unit while transition measures are implemented."

The coalition of housing and activist groups is challenging the Obama administration to make dramatic improvements by Aug. 29 - the fourth anniversary of Katrina.

"This is President Obama's Gulf Coast now, and nothing has been done yet to remedy the government's failures," Roberts said.

Trinh Le, a community development coordinator from Biloxi, Miss., said, "If you drive around Biloxi, you see vacant lots and empty buildings." Residents face high insurance rates, she said, and "Vietnamese shrimpers are having a hard time making ends meet."

Gulfport, Miss., resident Derrick Evans said he came to Washington out of solidarity with volunteers from Turkey Creek, a historic African American community.

"There is an affordable housing crisis of epic proportions," he said. "A dry roof over a toxic trailer beats no roof at all."

The groups support the Gulf Coast Civic Works Act, a bill co-sponsored by several members, including Reps. Gene Taylor, D-Miss., Charlie Melancon, D-La., and Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-La., that would create 100,000 jobs in the region through construction and development projects.

The bill failed to get any traction in the last congressional session. It was re-introduced in the House in early May.

Read More

"Can't Stand the Heat?" Lil Wayne takes a stand for Environmental Justice

Following up on the Rally to stop the evictions of Katrina Survivors check out this video made last August during a rally at FEMA headquarters for the 3rd Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The song featured in the video is "Tie My Hands" by Lil' Wayne and Robin Thicke. Along with the song that highlights the struggle of Katrina Survivors the video highlights pictures and facts on Climate Justice issues worldwide. Take a peek.

For more information go to krvexpress.org to follow Katrina Survivor and Environmental Justice Activist, Derick Evans as he travels the country in his FEMA trailer gathering support and creating awareness on what's really going on in the Gulf Coast.

Oh yeah and for those of you not up on Climate Justice check out EJCC.org!

Read More