By Niyati Shishodia

in a polluted world, our vision is blurred

and the cries of the earth are left unheard

we are foolish and extremely blind

for we cannot see the damage caused by mankind

By Kaylyn Ahn

On April 12, 2020, Hilco Redevelopment Partners initiated the demolition of the Chicago Crawford Power Generating station, causing the neighboring Little Village community area to be engulfed in a cloud of harmful debris, dust, and particulate matter. And like many others, Lucky Camargo, a Little Village resident, believes the demolition is the epitome of, “political inequality rooted in environmental racism,” something, “that Little Village residents have had to endure time and time again.”

But what is environmental racism? How are climate issues and racism, things seemingly so unrelated, so interwoven?

Historically, the Crawford Coal Plant has been a point of controversy between the Hilco company and environmental activists, as it has brought about severe pollution to the more than 80% Hispanic population. Also known as South Lawndale, Little Village is the home to the largest foreign-born Mexican population in all of Chicago. …