Lunar New Year

Written by: Rashawn Khamari Merchant

The Lunar New Year marks the arrival of Spring and is one of the most celebrated holidays worldwide. It sparks a period for new beginnings and has carried a long tradition throughout Asia. For the Chinese, it is the most important holiday of the year. Many within the country celebrate, and its influence can be seen in Vietnam, South Korea, and places with large Asian populations. The holiday typically falls between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox between January 21^st and February 22^nd. Celebrations last approximately 2 weeks, with this year’s New Year date being January 22^nd.

Before the holiday begins, many participate in customary traditions. It is common for people to clean their homes and reorganize to allow for well-prepared space. It’s good fortune to begin the New Year with a clean house, which welcomes positive energy. Homes and businesses are decorated with red lining and lanterns. Red is a color seen in abundance and symbolizes joy and good fortune in Chinese cultures. The lanterns coincide with the first full moon of the year and are thought to guide lost souls.

Furthermore, people should spend time together during this time. Togetherness brings energy and excitement; coming out of Winter is when we need each other most. This was especially apparent in New York City’s Chinatown. 

The streets were filled with onlookers from many different backgrounds. People were blowing confetti and enjoying the experience of the Lunar New Year. Many took part in Chinatown’s restaurants, with in-between stops to observe the dragon dances. The Lunar New Year is often a significant economic day, and many communities are blessed with tokens of appreciation. 

Lastly, each year in the Lunar Calendar is represented by 1 of the 12 zodiac animals. Following the Chinese tradition, 2023 is the year of the rabbit. The rabbit is the fourth of all zodiacs; many will appreciate that it represents rest and relaxation. Take the time to reflect on your efforts and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

The Connection Between Civil and Environmental Rights

Written by: Rashawn Khamari Merchant

On April 3rd, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech in front of 2,000 predominately Black sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. King presented this speech following a years-long campaign to improve the lives of poor working-class Americans. Memphis’ sanitation department has been facing significant issues relating to labor conditions. Many were overworked, underpaid, and not receiving the benefits that should have been granted to one of the city’s most important jobs. The workers fought hard to create unions, and after multiple attempts at failed strikes, King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference stepped in to support them. The leadership capabilities that paralleled the civil rights movement offered a similar effective strategy when implemented toward environmental justice issues. Marches, community engagement, and protests carried over as environmental activists needed to find ways to draw attention to crises.

Dr. King was killed the next day April 4th, 1968. He was a cornerstone of how people should advocate for their needs because we all deserve to live in proper conditions. The service he and many others committed during the civil rights movement provided a powerful foundation for seeking environmental justice and today’s modern activism. As climate communicator, Bora Chang stated, “The work of organizing would’ve been a lot harder without civil rights.” 

Environmentalism began with a focus on the natural environment. Events such as the Great Smog of London in 1952, the burning of the Cuyahoga River in 1969, and the BP Oil Spill in 2010 indicate how humans have treated the living planet through our actions. Humans have long been the most significant influencers counter to mother nature, and a side effect of this influence is that we are caught in the crossfire. 

While committing injustices, large corporations act out of greed to increase profits. These acts involve cheaper labor practices and waste disposal in ways that enable them to take on little blame, as sustainable waste management costs money. As this plays into a power dynamic, the key participants in these harmful methods do not want to affect themselves negatively, so they choose to put others at risk. Referring to the troubles of the Memphis sanitation workers, it was in the mayor’s interest not to pay livable wages. Without suitable income, it made it harder for workers to live lives in which they would be better prepared to advocate for themselves through education, property ownership, and political power. It is clear that when oppressed by environmental stressors, citizens will be placed in a never-ending cycle limiting them from reaching their full potential. 

The environmental justice movement played a crucial role in identifying how people of color and those in poorer socioeconomic conditions faced unsustainability compared to their counterparts. This is essentially what environmental racism is. There is a clear relationship between people who experience proximity to waste sites, pollution, and a lower life quality because of where they live. Often, systems in place purposely position people in these conditions. Dr. Robert Bullard defined environmental racism as any policy, practice, or directive that differentially affects or disadvantages individuals, groups, or communities based on race or color. Implementing most practices is intentional, as many policies and regulations occur during official governmental procedures. All government business gets decided by elected officials and those directly or indirectly connected to them.

It was through the civil rights movement that many of us were taught the power that government entities have. Leaders in the civil rights movement fought to ensure citizens had access to those rights and wanted us to participate in those decisions. A lack of civil rights means we lose the ability to protect ourselves against unsustainable conditions and the opportunities to afford better lives.

Gas vs. Electric Stoves: The Kitchen’s Newest Battle

Written by: Rashawn Khamari Merchant

The bedroom wasn’t the only thing heating up this month. A topic of much debate has arisen, and it is regarding the kitchen stove. This discussion came from statements by Consumer Product Safety Commission officials discussing the potential to regulate gas stoves. This has been an ongoing conversation as more research has been done to observe the health effects of gas appliances concerning climate change. The mentioning of favor towards electric stoves caused immediate backlash as many citizens around the country thought there’d be a ban on gas stoves. It’s worth mentioning that many of these citizens are right-leaning and support comments made by republican congresspersons. The Texas GOP Rep. Ronny Jackson made one of those comments, stating, “They can pry it from my cold dead hands.” 

The federal government isn’t issuing a nationwide ban on gas stoves to alleviate confusion. However, there have been local city plans across the country to regulate natural gas use in new buildings. This wouldn’t affect those already living in older housing that uses natural gas connections. While this controversy continues, let’s examine why electricity has begun to be preferred over gas and if making a switch is right for you.

Let’s start with the differences between gas and electric stovetops. 

Gas stoves utilize an open flame that is often powered by natural gas. Many buildings have long existed, and natural gas was the primary power source throughout the 20th century. 

Gas stoves do certainly provide cooking benefits. KitchenAid describes them as highly responsive and able to move between heat levels quickly. Many appreciate this option as it helps cook meat and the ease of using woks. There is a romanticism that intersects gas cooking. Many have grown up with flame cooking and like having control. Electric stoves usually feature a flat surface with heated coils above or beneath the range top. Electric stoves are highly efficient when transferring heat to metal pots and pans. You’ll experience less loss of heat transfer, as the electric capabilities allow you to quickly cycle on and off. Induction stoves are famous for being able to boil a pot of water. Large quantities are often finished in two minutes or less, and the dry heating component in the ovens is excellent for roasting vegetables and baking.

All in all, the choice is absolutely yours for preferences on cooking styles and methods. Nonetheless, we live in a day and age where many of our personal decisions have harmed the environment. Through Earth Shiners, the environmental impact is the number one priority. This leads us towards stoves powered by electricity. Natural gas emissions are a leading cause of the greenhouse effect, and Harvard has noted that it impacts indoor air quality.                  

Researchers have found that gas stoves contribute to three times the amount of nitrogen dioxide and nearly twice the amount of carbon monoxide in homes. These chemicals are known as silent killers, as they leak without the stoves being on. Additionally, gas fumes worsen respiratory illnesses. As many Americans have asthma, chest pains and shortness of breath can occur inside homes with inadequate ventilation. 

Something dear to many has become central to a political war. Health should never be politicized and only encouraged. Unfortunately, many residents cannot purchase a new stove and may still have to succumb to the powering systems of their older buildings. With new incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act, it’s possible to receive a rebate of up to $840. Please encourage yourself or anyone you know to consider the switch. Electric stoves may not be what you’re used to, but they are a safer alternative.

Product of Black History Month

Written by: Alejandro Pineda Catalan

Celebrating Black History Month, we wanted to spotlight a Black-owned development that is helping the community. We wanted to mention Angel Gregorio turning a 7,500-square-foot lot into a strip mall dedicated to black-owned businesses. 

Washington, D.C., is a well-populated city. In the past years, crime and violence have risen considerably. There have been reductions in government support with cuts in educational funding, city maintenance, and medical services. On top of that, D.C. residents and entrepreneurs have struggled with increased property prices. When lacking major social services and facilities, we often need support from commercial improvements to coincide with inflation. Gregorio thought of that as she expanded her spice business, Spice Suite, and created opportunities for women like her. 

Angel purchased a one-million-dollar property and began construction in Langdon, D.C. She named this space “Black and Forth” and thought of the name regarding how she could continue to make a difference. She spoke on how the name was a great fit since her business model went back and forth with her tenants, who have played a considerable role in the business plan. Gregorio not only wanted to create an innovative space but create a business model that was unique and cost-effective. The tenants have cheaper rental costs as the whole unit utilizes the same workers who help with each shop.    

Angel has advanced careers while also developing her design with shipping containers that cut costs. She took old containers that typically went unused and repurposed them for the building spaces. Innovative, brilliant, and an outright motivator to her community, Angel doesn’t plan on stopping. Washington, D.C., is her home, but she plans to branch out and operate more comprehensively. We may see Black and Forth become a staple in America and an inspiration to people of color worldwide.

While Black and Forth’s soft opening was in January, Angel and Black and Forth also deserve recognition in February. Risk-takers such as herself should be admired and celebrated. Angel Gregorio began her career breaking barriers and will continue to do so while putting a creative spin on her ideas. What once was a tow company building is now an eye-catching infrastructure in the heart of Ward 5 in D.C. That speaks volumes about how one person’s dreams can turn into the reality they make.

Thanks for Reading!

Earthshiners@earthshinersmagazine.com

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