Social Justice Club event aims to raise awareness
On November 2, from 12 to 2
p.m. in Forwell Hall, the Social
Justice Club will be screening The
Beloved Community, a film they
hope will get people talking.
The film looks at the Aamjiwnaang (the name refers to both the people and the location) in Sarnia, Ontario, and the effect that local chemical companies have had on the people living there. According to the National Pollution Release Inventory, there are currently 42 chemical companies located within 10 km of Aamjiwnaang First Nation. The Beloved Community shows the impact the chemicals have had on the Aamjiwnaang people, from miscarriages and stillbirths to birth defects to skyrocketing statistics of learning disabilities diagnosed in children (23 per cent of Aamjiwnaang children have been diagnosed; the national average is four per cent) to an ever-present chemical smell that blankets the area.
After the film screens, there will be a panel discussion with some people from Aamjiwnaang. "Students will have a chance to talk to the people being affected by what is being shown to them on film," explained Jessica Conlon, a member of the Social Justice Club. "(The Aamjiwnaang) will be talking about their efforts and what they've been trying to do — this is a good chance for students to get involved and see what's going on."
Conlon said she hopes the film and discussion will encourage students to think about the consequences of chemical factories and the products they produce, and may inspire some to take a more holistic approach to life.
Fanshawe's Social Justice Club aims to raise student consciousness about political and environmental issues and get students involved in the community. This is their first big event of the year. For more information about upcoming Social Justice Club events or to get involved with the group, email Peter Van Stee at peter_vanstee@hotmail.com.
The film looks at the Aamjiwnaang (the name refers to both the people and the location) in Sarnia, Ontario, and the effect that local chemical companies have had on the people living there. According to the National Pollution Release Inventory, there are currently 42 chemical companies located within 10 km of Aamjiwnaang First Nation. The Beloved Community shows the impact the chemicals have had on the Aamjiwnaang people, from miscarriages and stillbirths to birth defects to skyrocketing statistics of learning disabilities diagnosed in children (23 per cent of Aamjiwnaang children have been diagnosed; the national average is four per cent) to an ever-present chemical smell that blankets the area.
After the film screens, there will be a panel discussion with some people from Aamjiwnaang. "Students will have a chance to talk to the people being affected by what is being shown to them on film," explained Jessica Conlon, a member of the Social Justice Club. "(The Aamjiwnaang) will be talking about their efforts and what they've been trying to do — this is a good chance for students to get involved and see what's going on."
Conlon said she hopes the film and discussion will encourage students to think about the consequences of chemical factories and the products they produce, and may inspire some to take a more holistic approach to life.
Fanshawe's Social Justice Club aims to raise student consciousness about political and environmental issues and get students involved in the community. This is their first big event of the year. For more information about upcoming Social Justice Club events or to get involved with the group, email Peter Van Stee at peter_vanstee@hotmail.com.
