For my Master’s treatise in the Practical Anthropology Program here at Montclair took an internship with the Grass Roots Environmental Organization. This internship developed into a two-year research endeavor examining potential patterns of health, economic, educational, political and racial/cultural inequality in exposing residents to certain types of pollution. I interviewed and became involved with community members and activists throughout New Jersey. I would like to illuminate some of the lessons I came away with in regard to the issue democracy as a tool for social change.

I’m going to frame my comments around the lessons pointed out in Dr. Franke’s presentation. I would like to forward my remarks by pointing out that I see these lessons as interconnected pieces of a democratic solution.

Lesson 1: Democracy is more than voting

Democracy is…..Educational campaigns in the form of

• Door to door canvassing
• Teach-ins

Democracy is…..The raising of voices

• Rallies
• Street theater
• Press Conferences
• Letters to the editor
• Letter writing campaigns
• Legal action
• EXAMPLE: Activists in the Ironbound section of Newark defeated a sludge-burning incinerator through use of these tools of democracy. The activists vehemently spoke out and campaigned, pointing to the siting of this facility in an already overburdened lower-middle class Portuguese neighborhood as a violation of Pres. Clinton’s executive order on Environmental Justice. Ultimately, the City of Newark unanimously approved a resolution opposing the facility leading to the DEP’s refusal to permit the facility.

Democracy is…..Building Coalition

• Transcending racial, cultural, and religious boundaries through a common goal an/or belief such as fighting the building of a trash incinerator in or the acknowledgment of environmental injustice.

AND Democracy is….. VOTING – This must not be forgotten especially at the local level – where voting really has an effect.

• Vote down environmentally unjust referenda
• Vote out environmentally and socially unjust officials
• Incineration activist in Monmouth County defeated an incinerator siting through these means.

Lesson 3: Democracy should be fun and should involve a spirit of optimism

• The power of Pollyanna (Marianne Williamson). Excessive and persistent optimism is paramount for people to maintain the energy and spirit necessary to fight a failing and unjust system

• The incinerator struggle was in part lost in Rahway when the community lost the belief that their efforts could indeed effect change. The coalition weakened, a prominent local leader succumbed to political pressure and the idealism and optimism was momentarily lost. That moment was damning.

• A commitment to living in the solution rather than living in the problem is imperative

Lesson 4: Democracy means activism and participation

• I observed a demystification of the political system

• The critical point of transition into activist seems to come with the acknowledgment and internalization of the fact that one is entitled to raise one’s voice and that one has a right to demand what is just and desirable

• The liberation of walking into the office of a governmental official with the collective message that "you work for us, we voted you into this position and this is what WE WANT."

• In regard to the issue of EJ in New Jersey and elsewhere, local governments have historically acquiesced to the seduction of heavy campaign contributions and influential voters when making political decision.

• These political realities create a sobering disparity in political influence

• What empowers a community is awareness, knowledge, and collective action

• These come through the development of a clear group identity and a shared purpose

• The identification of community builds pride and cohesion which motivates the group and drives democracy

Biographical Information on Ms. Natale:

Dana Natale was born and raised in Summit, New Jersey where she attended Summit High School. She received her BA in Psychology in 1996. Ms Natale continued her studies and in January 1999 received an MA in Practical Anthropology through the BA/MA PRAN program. Ms. Natale currently holds a position as a research coordinator for the Palliative Care Program at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.

During her years at MSU, Ms. Natale served as President of the Anthropology Club and was an active member of the Student Advisory Board to the Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. She has worked with the Green Party in both New York and New Jersey and has been involved in non-profit administration, program development, and community organizing.

Ms. Natale undertook an internship with the Grass Roots Environmental Organization (GREO) in 1996 that developed into a two-year research endeavor examining potential patterns of health, economic, educational, political and racial/cultural inequality in exposing residents to certain types of pollution. This work culminated in a Master’s treatise entitled, "Environmental Injustice as Manifested in the Building of Incinerators in the State of New Jersey.

The project involved both a research aspect and a community service aspect. The data collected from this study has helped New Jersey communities evaluate the issue of environmental injustice as it relates to the siting and permitting of waste incinerators in particular communities. Analysis and recommendations have been provided to GREO groups for use in present and future political and legal actions.

Ms. Natale continues to work with GREO and other grass roots organizations on a Volunteer basis and remains committed to social and environmental justice.