[StBernard] FIELD OF DREAMS

[Westley Annis]

Au Contraire, Mon Amie. 

This era we live in is a "brave new world" (Huxley). Never in humankind have
I witnessed a more-addressable change in the longitude and latitude of
things than in these days of awe. I'm referring to the fact that 25-30 years
ago we had not the knowledge that we do today--whether it be health
consciousness, whether it be towards our dooming ozone layer, the air we
breathe or the negligence and denial that we have a problem in our
community. In some respect, some were aware of our environment and community
standards and a choice we made to move within a mile of Murphy and
Tenneco/Chalmette refinery and other plants with emissions that continue to
wreak havoc on our community (check out the fallout of "pure air" we're told
layering our cars and the influx into our breathing apparatus (hence the
bucket brigade and other activists whom are paramount in getting the word
out that indeed, something is deeply troubling our health status).

With the knowledge that we are now aware these days, we can add the
disasters to that list in areas of oil spill and Katrina. I haven't believed
a word most have said concerning "pure air, non-toxic, etc". My brother died
of brain cancer. Another died of stomach cancer, an uncle died of prostate
cancer and all have lived in Cancer Alley. My other 6 brothers and sisters
live northward in the state where industry is, for the most part, devoid of
industries that emit these pure air emissions as some has beforehand
mentioned with conviction. They do not have a toxic waste dump in their
neighborhood nor were they touched by Murphy Oil, Chalmette Refinery, nor
toxics as those most affected in the Katrina-damaged area. 

Yes, the refineries are there. In my lifetime, they'll always be there if
not for the sole reason that they are the bigger employers in the community,
unfortunately, the bigger employers couldn't be cleaner producers of
products and services.  ;(  What a sacrifice to a "catch-22" situation than
to be caught in the middle of choice between good health and good-paying
jobs. 

Now, I'm worried about the long term affects on my life, family and
community. I loved them all dearly, and somehow as I'm now focused, feel
there's not a damn thing I can do to save them from themselves as choosers
to live in Southeastern Louisiana. For, many, the way of life they were born
into and lived for many years is just a memory to experience through
hardships, pictures and recollections. 

For the most part, I've learned to live with the traffic anywhere I go. But,
it's hard as hell to live with the fear that no matter where I may run or
hide in St. Bernard or beyond--that a shadow of potential illness (exposed
to by deceit or denial of its existence) follows my new lifestyle brought
plainly into view by a disaster I could have done without. All these have
complicated/complexes my life to extremes, and for this knowledge, I cannot
ignore what I feel is real and not contrived.

--jer--