THE CASE FOR REPARATIONS OP-EDS
Written Assignments Around the Case for Reparations by Ta-Nehisi Coates
OP-ED: FOR THE CASE FOR REPARATIONS
29 November 2016
In the June 2014 issue of the Atlantic, Ta-Nehisi Coates’ presented a case for reparations to be paid to African Americans on account of all they have endured from the minute they stepped foot onto American soil-although, for many slaves that were stolen from their homelands, this started well before they even got here. As a self-identified member of the Black Lives Matter movement, I see the necessity for some kind of compensation for the disgraceful way today’s black community and their ancestors were treated. Furthermore, racist practices in the past set the ground for institutional racism, which has caused the current state of the African American community. The many abuses and atrocities withstood by the African American community can obviously not go unaddressed.
Most Americans are aware of the horrors faced by American slaves: rape, torture, unlivable conditions on slave ships and in slave cabins, crammed into slave ships against their will, forced to travel thousands of miles to a foreign land, separated from their families and bought and sold like property. However, even being freed meant lynching, segregated (lower quality) facilities, institutional and social discrimination, continued forced manual labor and Jim Crow laws that robbed millions of their vote. (Coates 2014)
Black families during the 1930s-1960s were also cut out of the legitimate home-mortgage market by being required to buy houses “on contract,” which featured the responsibilities of homeownership without any of the benefits. Landowners could claim that a black family was in debt and they would have no protection under law, causing a large amount of land to be taken from black families. Neighborhoods with black families weren’t eligible for private mortgages through the Federal Housing Administration and insurance. Through this practice, black people have essentially been forced into single-race ghettos where poverty targets the black community. (Coates 2014)
Segregation still very much exists today when it comes to black families, perpetuating a concentration of poverty and disadvantage on black people. This has some serious implications for the black community. Among children born between 1955-1970, 62% of black people were raised in poor neighborhoods. A study on the generation following showed almost the same results. The income gap between black and white households hasn’t shifted since 1970. Additionally, police brutality targeting black Americans and poor education systems have prevented African Americans from being able to escape the ghettos they’ve systematically been forced into. (Coates 2014)
Many argue against the idea of reparations for African Americans in America because they see no need. However, many of their arguments exhibit a lack of understanding of the black experience throughout the history of America. For example, there is an argument that some issues that black people face stems from cultural standards within the community. It has been argued that violence among young black males stems from them growing up without fathers and participating in cultural norms such as saggy pants. This approach disregards the systemic aspect of the black community’s oppression and suggests that the solution is to hold members of the black community solely responsible for their social position. (Coates 2014)
This idea is also perpetuated by the idea that black families that have successful children are evidence that racial equality has been achieved in the U.S. However, their success is more indicative of the hard work of their parents, rather than the state of race in America as a whole. Finally, there is an argument that native Africans actually benefitted from the American government because they were taught English and given work, which somehow discounts the need for reparations. Due to the many issues mentioned above as well as the many violent atrocities committed against them that I have not mentioned, it’s clear that African Americans have never received benefits from being in America. (Coates 2014)
Evidence of the many wrongs inflicted on black people throughout history is readily available and apparent when looking at how black people fare today and how institutions have played a role in the continuing disadvantage of being born black in America. Native Africans and their descendants were stolen from their homeland and forced to face unspeakable horrors as slaves in America, even well after they were freed. The housing market in the 1930s-1960s set black families up to fail, all while creating an exorbitant profit for those who controlled it. This, along with lynching, racist insurance policies and other abuses of black-owned land forced many black families to be concentrated in certain areas, called ghettos. This created poor educational systems in such areas that have barely changed today, preventing black children from escaping poverty and violence. Reparations are necessary to remedy the great disadvantage faced by black people in America.
References
Coates, Ta-Nehisi. "The Case for Reparations." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, June 2014. Web. 25 Nov. 2016.
WIND ASSIGNMENTS
Written Assignments Around the Vermont Wind Debate
OP-ED: PRO-WIND
4 October 2016
Vermont is characterized by its commitment to environmental wellbeing, putting us on the forefront of environmental initiatives for decades. Perhaps no greater example of this is wind energy. Currently, wind projects in Lowell, Searsburg and Georgia Mountain provide clean energy for over 30,200 Vermont homes (Georgia Mountain and “About Wind Power”). We are reducing our statewide carbon footprint with these initiatives. However, there are some that claim that wind farms can have detrimental effects on the people who live near them. These organizations have created a narrative of being an underdog standing up for the community against big business, but their claims fall flat of their enthusiasm.
Wind is imperative to our vibrant working class. Clean energy and wind energy have provided jobs on all fronts for hard working Vermonters. In fact, approximately 17,715 workers are employed in clean job initiatives in Vermont. Employment in this industry has grown by 20% in Vermont since the first Clean Energy Industry Report in 2013. Wind energy in particular has provided new jobs for 938 Vermonters and counting. (Vermont Clean Energy Development Fund)
Probably the biggest challenge to the booming Wind industry in Vermont are groups that simply don’t want to see Vermont enjoy the benefits of renewable energy. These groups- such as Energize Vermont and Vermonters for a Clean Environment- spew out inaccurate statistics and reports on the impact of Industrial Wind on the community. They make false claims about depleted water supply, decreasing property values and the “damaged” health of those who reside close to wind turbines. The Massachusetts departments of Environmental Protection and Public Health performed a study released in January of 2012 that concluded, “the weight of evidence suggests no association between noise from wind turbines and measures of psychological distress or mental problems” (Wind Turbine Health Impact Study: Report of Independent Expert Panel).
Additionally, in 2013, the Laurence Berkeley National Laboratory did a study on the property value of over 50,000 home sales near 67 wind farms in 9 states and found “no measurable effect on real estate prices in communities where turbines are built within 10 miles of homes” (Zwicky 2013). Instead of utilizing factual studies on the effects of wind, these organizations rely on the emotional testimonies of a handful of Vermonters in order to push their agenda. However, these groups don’t just misrepresent data. They misrepresent Vermonters’ attitudes towards wind energy.
Many anti-wind groups talk about the misery experienced by those who live near wind turbines and wind farms. However, a Castleton poll found that 65.9 percent of Vermonters supported “building wind energy turbines along the state’s ridgelines,” while only 19.6 percent opposed it. And despite Sen. Rodgers’ claims to the contrary, the poll found overwhelming support for wind in each region of the state. (Burns 2014)
In these ways, we can see that those who don’t support wind are manipulating data to convince the public that wind energy is the wrong choice for Vermont. If you look at the actual data associated with this issue, you can see that these claims are unfounded and simply don’t hold up when compared to measurable data. Wind aligns with Vermont’s values and provides clean energy and new jobs to Vermonters with limited drawbacks. Wind is right for Vermont and communication between the legislature and its constituents can ensure that it can be implemented in ways that include affected communities in the siting and development process.
Work Cited
"About Wind Power." About Wind Power. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2016.
Burns, Paul. "VPIRG Director: The Truth about Where Vermonters Stand on Wind." Vermont Public Interest Research Group. N.p., 31 Oct. 2014. Web. 24 Sept. 2016.
Ellenboge, Jeffrey M.n,, Sheryl Grace, and Kimberley Sullivan. Wind Turbine Health Impact Study: Report of Independent Expert Panel. Rep. Comp. Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and Massachusetts Department of Public Health. N.p.: n.p., 2012. Print.
Vermont Clean Energy Development Fund, comp. Vermont Clean Energy Industry Report. Rep. BW Research Partnership, May 2016. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.
Zwicky, Dylan. "Wind Is Part of the Solution." Vermont Public Interest Research Group. N.p., 25 Nov. 2013. Web. 26 Sept. 2016.
OP-ED: ANTI-WIND
22 September 2016
Vermont has a uniquely important legacy that sets it apart from other states: its beautiful green mountain landscape and its dedication to environmental wellbeing that often puts us on the cutting edge of environmental reform and technology. It’s only fitting, then, that we utilize the windy mountain climate to harness renewable energy that is gentler on the environment. However, what happens when there are unforeseen effects that damage the Vermont landscape and the lives of its citizens? Wind Energy has been in Vermont for a while, but it wasn’t until residents were feeling these effects that it became a major discussion.
In 2004, the Commission on Wind Energy Regulatory Policy Commission was created with the sole purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of 30 V.S.A Section 248, a review process for commercial wind generation projects. After carefully analyzing Section 248, the commission proposed various changes, many of which ensured the community’s involvement in the decision making process of wind projects. Their suggestions included holding public forums, changing standards for the construction/development phase of wind projects and putting the affected communities into consideration during the pre-planning phase. Many of these changes were implemented, though often not on the same scale as they were proposed, so as to appease the people without really having to involve them in the process (Vermont Commission on Wind Energy Findings and Recommendations). This is perhaps the earliest example of the Commercial Wind Industry completely disregarding the needs of the communities that would be affected by their wind farms- or cash farms.
As commercial wind farms started appearing, people living near the wind turbines began experiencing a wide array of health issues due to the noise and vibrations created by the wind turbines such as sleep deprivation, headaches and inner ear issues such as tinnitus, dizziness and irritability. In order to speak up for these communities, the Lowell Mountain Group helped many residents report these issues to Green Mountain Power. However, after little response, they were told GMP would no longer accept complaints from citizens. Rather, the complaints would have to come from a doctor, but many physicians refuse to get involved in the issue and simply disregard community members that have reached out for help. However, these citizens rose to the challenge and refused to let their communities be abused. One major win for these Vermont communities came with a case hearing in 2013 that proved that violations brought against the Kingdom Community Wind Project did occur. The case ensured that a noise monitoring system would be set up in order to measure the impact of wind. Despite this major victory, Big Wind has figured out a way to deter the results of this monitoring system by putting off production 3 years after these violations occurred. (Clark 2016)
Humans aren’t the only ones feeling the effects of industrial wind. Commercial wind turbines kill birds, destroy wildlife habitats and disrupt wildlife communication, migration and reproduction. The development on these turbines also causes depletion in water supply, causing the beautiful green Vermont mountains to become a sickly brown (Person and Nirmegh 2013). The loss of this visual beauty doesn’t just deprive Vermonters of the joy of witnessing Vermont’s unique beauty. The damage of the mountains also cripples Vermont’s economy, which is partially based on tourism. Commercial wind organizations such as Green Mountain Power deny that these issues are connected to the wind turbines, and some deny that they are happening at all. With wind industries seeming to hold all the power, Vermont communities felt completely powerless.
Many hoped that the government would step in at this point to defend their constituents and the public good of their state. However, many residents feel very frustrated with the roadblocks they have encountered, specifically from the legislature. Community members have repeatedly attempted to get in touch with Vermont legislatures as well as Vermont’s governor and have barely been given a space to express their dissatisfaction. In protest of commercial wind, these residents, with help from Vermonters for a Clean Environment, have taken to entering the statehouse with green vests to bring the issues to the legislature’s attention. However, we have yet to see any changes that show the government is listening to us.
Vermont would be the obvious choice for testing out large-scale renewable energy initiatives due to our commitment to a cleaner environment. However, we are long past to testing phase and it has become clear that industrial wind as it is being implemented now is not right for Vermont. The hard working citizens of Vermont as well as our vivacious wildlife are being severely damaged by these initiatives. Additionally, the government and its many committees and branches are mostly ignoring Vermonters. The only way to save Vermont at this point is to demand that legislatures enact serious change to commercial wind practices or to elect policy makers that will.
Work Cited
Clark, Robbin. "Testimony of Robbin Clark." Letter to Vermont Senate Health and Welfare Committee. 13 Jan. 2016. Vermont Legislature. N.p., n.d. Web.
Energize Vermont. "UPDATED: Vermont's Energy Options Utility Scale vs. Community Solutions." Vimeo. Vimeo, 13 Feb. 2012. Web. 15 Sept. 2016.
Person, Fred, and Dhyan Nirmegh. Impacts of Industrial Wind Development On Wildlife and Ridgeline Habitat. Publication. Starksboro: Peak Keepers of Vermont Mountains, 2013. Print. Vermont and New Hampshire Mountains.
Smith, Erin R.A.N, and Holly Klick. Explaining NIMBY Opposition to Wind Power. Working paper. Boston: American Political Science Association, 2007. Print.
Vermont Commission on Wind Energy Findings and Recomendations. Rep. no. 04-04. Burlington: Vermont Commission on Wind Energy, 2004. Web
WIND DEBATE ISSUE BRIEF
15 September 2016
Wind Energy has been in Vermont for a while, but it wasn’t until the past 12 years that it became a major discussion. This discussion began in 2004 when the Commission on Wind Energy Regulatory Policy was created in order to evaluate the effectiveness of 30 V.S.A Section 248, a review process for commercial wind generation projects in Vermont. The commission proposed various changes for this review process that included increased community involvement in the siting and developing phase. Most of these changes were implemented, though not exactly as they were proposed. This was met with some dissatisfaction from communities who felt they had no say in the development of wind farms in their backyards. (Vermont Commission on Wind Energy Findings and Recommendations)
As commercial wind farms started appearing, people living near the wind turbines began expressing claims of a wide array of health issues due to the noise and vibrations created by the wind turbines. These complaints varied from sleep deprivation, headaches and irritability to tinnitus and depression. Additionally, many Vermonters feared their property values were depleting, an idea that was mostly perpetuated by anti-wind groups. A community action group called the Lowell Mountain Group helped many residents report these issues to Green Mountain Power, but was met with some pushback. They were told that GMP would no longer accept complaints from citizens, rather doctors, most of whom apparently have no desire to get involved in the issue (Clark 2016).
However, these claims have been called into question since the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and Public Health performed a study released in January of 2012 that concluded, “the weight of evidence suggests no association between noise from wind turbines and measures of psychological distress or mental problems” (Wind Turbine Health Impact Study: Report of Independent Expert Panel). Additionally, in 2013, the Laurence Berkeley National Laboratory did a study on the property value of over 50,000 home sales near 67 wind farms in 9 states and found “no measurable effect on real estate prices in communities where turbines are built within 10 miles of homes” (Zwicky 2013). Anti-wind groups in Vermont have frequently resorted to utilizing emotional testimonies from a handful of Vermonters, rather than measurable data, to further their agenda throughout this debate. A group of residents, with the help of Vermonters for a Clean Environment, frustrated with a lack of accessibility to and response from the legislature have taken to entering the statehouse with green vests in protest of commercial wind. However, the impact of these protests are so far unobservable. A small victory for these anti-wind groups was won in a case hearing in 2013, proving that violations brought against the Kingdom Community Wind Project did occur. The result of this hearing was supposed to be the establishment of a noise monitoring system, which is still in the works 3 years after these violations.
Anti-wind organizations such as Vermonters for a Clean Environment also claim that the wind turbines are causing issues with local water and wildlife. They claim that the turbines are disrupting migration patterns and wildlife communication and are causing natural water sources to dry up, reduce quality and run off into local towns. They also claim that the vegetation around these sites is dead due to the building of turbines (Person and Nirmegh 2013). However, as has often happened throughout this debate, anti-wind organizations lack any evidence that these issues are connected to the wind turbines, if they are happening at all. Many experts argue that any issues caused by the turbines are not in the turbines themselves, but their size, energy capacity and location.
Wind is more expensive than solar with rising steel and cement costs as compared to dropping solar panel prices, but organizations such as Energize Vermont speculate that wind is being favored because power companies aim to maintain their dominance over the energy industry (Energize Vermont 2012). There are no proven serious drawbacks of wind energy in Vermont so far, and plenty of evidence that Vermonters support it. A Castleton poll found that 65.9 percent of Vermonters supported “building wind energy turbines along the state’s ridgelines,” while only 19.6 percent opposed it (Burns 2014). Though wind has been implemented in Vermont for a while, its effects are still up for debate.
Work Cited
Burns, Paul. "VPIRG Director: The Truth about Where Vermonters Stand on Wind." Vermont Public Interest Research Group. N.p., 31 Oct. 2014. Web. 24 Sept. 2016.
Clark, Robbin. "Testimony of Robbin Clark." Letter to Vermont Senate Health and Welfare Committee. 13 Jan. 2016. Vermont Legislature. N.p., n.d. Web.
Energize Vermont. "UPDATED: Vermont's Energy Options Utility Scale vs. Community Solutions." Vimeo. Vimeo, 13 Feb. 2012. Web. 15 Sept. 2016.
Person, Fred, and Dhyan Nirmegh. Impacts of Industrial Wind Development On Wildlife and Ridgeline Habitat. Publication. Starksboro: Peak Keepers of Vermont Mountains, 2013. Print. Vermont and New Hampshire Mountains.
Smith, Erin R.A.N, and Holly Klick. Explaining NIMBY Opposition to Wind Power. Working paper. Boston: American Political Science Association, 2007. Print.
Vermont Commission on Wind Energy Findings and Recomendations. Rep. no. 04-04. Burlington: Vermont Commission on Wind Energy, 2004. Web
Zwicky, Dylan. "Wind Is Part of the Solution." Vermont Public Interest Research Group. N.p., 25 Nov. 2013. Web. 26 Sept. 2016.
PRESS RELEASE
9 October 2016
Vermont has been on the forefront of environmental initiatives for many years. Perhaps no greater example of this is wind energy. Though vehemently debated, current wind projects in Lowell, Searsburg and Georgia Mountain provide clean energy for over 30,200 Vermont homes. As a proud proponent of sustainable energy, Mikayla Varunok fully supports utility scale wind turbine development on ridgelines above 2000 feet. “With 65.9% of Vermonters agreeing with me,” the UVM alum said, “support for these projects is a no brainer.”
The governor-hopeful believes in these initiatives mainly for the 938 jobs they provide for the hard working people of Vermont. Additionally, there are no proven health risks or property devaluation associated with living near these wind turbines.
However, her stance on wind has proven problematic to some communities who feel she will be working with industrial wind companies, rather than communities on wind projects. “I have heard your complaints of feeling disregarded in the process of planning and developing these wind projects and I plan to enact a two-part solution if you elect me governor,” Varunok says.
First, she will ensure that Vermonters have a direct voice in this process by requiring industrial wind organizations to hold monthly town council meetings where citizens can speak face to face and voice their praises or concerns directly to developers. Second, she will facilitate a direct relationship between a board of select citizens in the areas in which wind turbines are being built, members of the legislature and members of the organizations responsible for leading these initiatives.
Varunok plans on hitting the ground running if elected. She has claimed that this initiative will be a top priority once she is in office. With Varunok leading in the polls and the election being a mere two days away, Vermonters may see how effective her two-step plan is very soon.
Twitter: Wind energy is right for Vermont and so am I. Let’s establish communciations between the people, the legislatures and the wind industry #RightforVT
Facebook: Wind energy cuts down on carbon pollution, provides jobs for Vermont and keeps our landscape beautiful! #ProWindVT #RightforVT
JOB POSTING
18 October 2016
Job Title:Commissioner for the Vermont Department of Public Service
Job ID:101816
Location: Montpelier
Department:Public Service Department
This position, (Commissioner, Job Opening # 101816), is open to all State employees and external applicants.
Please note that this position is open until filled. The State of Vermont posts vacancies for a minimum of ten business days. Positions posted as open until filled can be removed at any time after the initial ten day period. After the initial posting period, departments may begin interviewing and may close the posting without notice.
For more information about the position, please contact Mikayla Varunok at mvarunok@vermont.gov
Resumes will be accepted online, via e-mail and by post mail. To apply via post mail, please send application, resume and relevant papers to:
Public Service Department
112 State St,
Montpelier, VT 05602
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Vermont Department of Public Service is seeking dedicated and qualified candidates for a position as Commissioner. The Department is the public advocate on utilities for Vermont residents and the center of state energy policy in Vermont. The Commission is responsible for regulating the price and performance of electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, cable and water utilities. The Commission also oversees energy project siting and development. Due to the active discussion about Vermont Wind Initiative development and siting, The Commission seeks employees that are knowledgeable and experienced not just in Public Service and Public Policy, but also in environmental reform, renewable energy project development and oversight and the unique challenges Vermont faces in implementing such projects. The Commission expects applicants to already be familiar with the many sides of this debate including, but not limited to common concerns/arguments, major players in the debate, relevant legislation and reports and ideas of ways to find common ground amongst these groups. Furthermore, the Commission represents Vermont as a whole, so applicants are expected to be knowledgeable about all sides of the conversation and to display judgment according to the public good of Vermont rather than personal interest.
QUALIFICATIONS
Important Skills
•Ability to mediate discussions about project siting and development
•Adept at problem solving, negotiating and deescalating intense situations
•Must be personable, professional and very patient
•Must demonstrate extensive knowledge of Vermont’s landscape and wildlife as well as renewable energy and its effects
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree or higher in Sustainable Business, Environmental Law/Science/Studies, Biology, Business Administration, Community Relations, Public Affairs and/or Parks, Recreation and Tourism AND seven (7) years or more employed in one of these fields
OR
At least a total of seven (7) years combined experience working in a related field and serving on a board, committee or task force related to environmental reform, renewable energy, project development or energy/project plan analysis.
Special Requirements
•3+ years of Vermont residency preferred
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The State of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications from women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged.
Writing for PA 206
