Faith meets social justice

FaithActs is a program at Loyola University New Orleans that explores how faith can help students become leaders in support of creation and environmental justice. This June, I was able to deepen the connection between my faith and the environment. FaithActs allowed me to challenge my mind and think of solutions to problems dealing with the environment.

Throughout the week, I listened to amazing guest speakers tell personal stories about their fight for the environment. One of these speakers was Sharon Lavigne, a former school teacher turned social activist who recently won a global environmental award.

Lavigne had no prior experience working for environmental justice, but, motivated by her Catholic faith, she is making a difference in her community. She and her organization, Rise St. James, are fighting against Formosa and its industrial plants because of the danger they pose to the people of St. James Parish.

Lavigne lives in what has been dubbed “Cancer Alley,” the area along the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge that has one of the country’s highest concentrations of petrochemical plants, many of which are located in low-income neighborhoods. So many people are being diagnosed with cancer in this area – the evidence strongly suggests emissions from the industrial plants are playing a major role – yet Formosa wants to build another plant here.

Her speech and her dedication to environmental justice motivated me and helped me to realize that we all have the power to make a difference in this world.

In addition to the inspiring guest speakers, there were activities and vocation talks prepared by our Loyola student mentors. I got to listen to why they chose Loyola, their uncertainties about their career paths and how they have grown in their faith over the years.

One of my favorite moments came at the opening prayer on our last day. One of the mentors told us to sit in a circle with our eyes closed and our backs facing each other. She then picked a few people at a time and started asking us questions such as “Who has made you laugh today?” or “Who here is a leader?” The people who were picked would get up and tap a person they associated with the question being asked.

During the activity, she asked, “Who has the power to make their dreams come true?” and someone picked me. That activity alone brightened my day. Another mentor talked about how she decided to attend Loyola without even stepping on campus. This comforted me because it made me realize that it is OK to not have my future planned out yet.

Through FaithActs I was able to learn about my faith and about many environmental injustices. Some of these include pollution, climate change, unethical labor practices, coastal restoration, Cancer Alley and food insecurity.

FaithActs taught me how to fight against these injustices and encouraged me to take steps to become a leader in my community. The program has pushed me to think of actions I could take to help my community: by reducing demand, reusing items, recycling, thrifting, boycotting businesses that participate in unethical work practices, buying fair trade, not wasting food and much more. There are so many simple ways to make a positive change in the world.

If I had the opportunity, I would sign up for FaithActs again. I met so many interesting and passionate people. If the environment and faith are things that interest you, I would highly encourage you to attend next year.

Diamond Flowers will be a senior at Cabrini High School this fall.
For more information about FaithActs, see http://cnh.loyno.edu/lim/lplc/faithacts.