A D R I A N W O O D
People struggle to breathe in two predominantly Black neighborhoods on Virginia's east coast. Toxic coal dust clouds the air in Southeast Newport News and Lambert’s Point in Norfolk, Virginia. The source: two terminals that together form America’s largest coal export system. For decades, residents in both neighborhoods have complained of coal dust that coats the interiors of their homes, cars and playgrounds in a fine black dust. Dust they also breathe. A 2005 study found asthma rates to be more than double the city and state-wide averages in Southeast Newport News. Some residents are deeply concerned about the impact of the dust on their lives. Others are unaware of the dust and its effects.
Crosswinds is a project of the Repair Lab.
Excerpt starts at 17:33.
Gentrification of neighborhoods contaminated by coal dust in Southeast Newport News, Virginia, may be the leverage needed to push environmental mitigation efforts. But changes can also push residents out of their homes. And people wonder – how will the coal dust affect newcomers to the neighborhood, who may not be aware of the problem?
This excerpt starts with Southeast Newport News resident Lawrence Turner imagining his hometown without the massive coal piles that cloud the air with dust. It goes on to describe neighborhood turnover from public housing to new development. It describes how longtime neighborhood residents wonder how environmental injustice will affect gentrifying residents who move into the new housing developments.
I created this podcast including research, writing, recording, editing, voiceover, mixing and mastering as well as promotion.
I researched, wrote, interviewed, produced, hosted, edited, sound designed and promoted this 5-episode narrative podcast for the Repair Lab at the University of Virginia.
Score by Torrin Purkett. Story editing by Oluwakemi Aladesuyi.
Crosswinds was broadcast by NPR's WHRO, WVPM, Frequencies of Change, Virginia Audio Collective, and WTJU.
It was shortlisted for the Press Gazette's 2024 Future of Media prize.
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