Episode 09: Environmental Justice in Gray's Ferry

This episode of Data Remediations features the voices of residents of South Philadelphia, long home to what was, until it blew up last year, the world’s longest continuously operating petroleum refinery. Residents talk about life with the refinery, scientists and public health experts weigh in on the environmental and health impacts it has caused. Everyone considers the futures beyond refining they’d like to see transform this sacrifice zone. In February, bankruptcy court approved the purchase-sale agreement of the massive site along Philadelphia’ rivers to a Chicago-based developer, Hilco, Earlier this month (April 2020), amidst a global pandemic and shelter in place orders, Hilco botched a demolition in Chicago and dust and debris settled across the local neighborhood. With Hilco’s plans largely unknown, Philadelphians are getting ready for a new chapter in the struggle for environmental justice.

CREDITS:

This episode was written by Piotr Wojcik and Bethany Wiggin; narrated by Piotr, Bethany, and Katie Collier; and produced by Jasmine Erdener. With special thanks to the members of Resident Action Committee 2 and Philly Thrive who talked with us on the show and to the students who began to dream up Futures Beyond Refining: Thomas Collins, Anat Dan, Mimi Hacking, Alexandre Imbot, Elizabeth (Berryhill) McCarty, and Maggie McNulty.

MUSIC:

Public Enemy - Give It Up

The Pharcyde - Passin' Me By

Assassin - Touche d'espoir

Handsome Boy Modeling School - The Truth

J-Live - How Much Is Water (Instrumental)

Digable Planets - Where I'm From

Lo-Fang - When We're Fire (Cello Version)

Mulatu Astatke - Tezeta (Nostalgia)

Ochestra Baobab - Utrus Horas

Hozier - Sunlight

Public Enemy - Harder Than You Think (HQ)

FEEDBACK

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