Rob Gioielli Connects Environmentalism and Civil Rights

Professor Rob Gioielli

On Thursday, October 2, UCBA History Professor Robert Gioielli gave a talk about the connection between environmentalism and civil rights activism.  Gioielli discussed how environmentalism is much more than just about saving the rain forest and landscapes. 

“I was interested in telling a story about American enivornmentalism,” he said, “but I also wanted it to include lesser known narratives that haven’t been apart our regular conversations about enivornmentalism.” 

He also explained how he wanted to break the stereotype of what environmentalism was about.  

In the discussion, he brought up such cases as a lead paint controversy that happened in St. Louis, Missouri, during the 1970s. 

“There were several cases of kids in an apartment complex getting lead poisoning,” Gioielli elaborated, “and the residents were primarily African-American, so it started becoming more connected to civil rights movements.” 

Gioielli also discussed how there was a difference between wide problems and "backyard" problems.  

“The stuff about the rain forest and having fresh air for the future—that stuff is a wider issue,” he explained, “but for some people—people who are more worried about putting a meal on their table—this stuff isn’t as important to them." 

Professor Gioielli is the author of the new book “Environmental Activism and the Urban Crisis: Baltimore, St. Louis, Chicago” (2014, Temple University Press).