The fall of the Confederate statues reminds us that no nation forever can be shackled to symbols that defy its values, subvert its purpose, and cause its people anguish and pain.
Removing these statues, though, also creates an opportunity, and focuses us on what we must do to build a just and equitable society.
Part of the answer must be to confront the ways systemic racism has put Black people on the front lines of environmental hazard and harm far too often,…
