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Andrea Falar
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Poetry

Environmental fields have historically been explicitly exclusionary to people of color. Systemic racism creates barriers that are often invisible to those not experiencing them, manifesting as unfulfilled ideals, lack of representation, and missing welcomes. Environmental justice and racial justice are necessary for communities, and natural spaces, to feel like home.

A framed poem that reads: 
how can i be home 
when the doors are locked 
no key in my pocket 
im chasing an unattainable dream 
to be one with my peers 
but the color of my skin is like a warning sign 
it tells them to stay away 
it tells them im not worthy 
it tells them i have no real value  
how can i be home 
when i don't see myself in the picture frames  
or in the hallways  
or in the people im supposed to lean on 
instead i see what im not  
a girl with beautiful golden blonde hair 
a boy with sparkling ocean blue eyes 
my hair is the color of coal 
my eyes are that of dirt 
how can i be home 
when there is no one to welcome me?

Artist Statement

You cannot have environmental justice without racial justice. Most people don’t realize the two are intertwined and cannot be separated. RSENR intends to welcome all students, but there is still a long way to go for complete inclusivity. Despite countless efforts for inclusivity in public statements and diversity courses, most people with privilege do not realize the invisible barriers that separate them from people of color. The door might say welcome, but we know how to read inside the lines. This idealism transfers to the environment, where countless POC struggle to get their foot through the door of environmentalism.

2024/2025 Inclusive Arts Initiative Gallery >>

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