My name is Nyla Hankins and I am an intern with the NC Disaster Response and Resilience Network. On March 14, 2025, I hosted a movie screening of There’s Something In The Water by Elliot Page to educate my fellow NC A&T students about the environmental racism they’re living through—whether they realize it or not. This powerful documentary sheds light on how marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards. Watching it felt like looking into a mirror because what’s happening in Canada, as shown in the film, is happening here in Greensboro and across America.
Take Greensboro’s Bingham Park as an example. This park was built on top of an old landfill that operated decades ago without regulations. Today, the soil is contaminated with toxic substances like lead, arsenic, and semi-volatile organic compounds—poisoning the community around it. These toxins can cause devastating health issues such as lead poisoning (which impairs growth and learning in children), asthma, kidney disease, and even cancer. Residents have reported unusually high rates of these illnesses in the surrounding area, yet the city council recently decided against fully removing the contaminated soil. Instead, they opted for a cheaper “cap and cover” method that leaves the toxins in place, hidden under layers of fabric and soil.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, the city even considered moving the toxic waste to the White Street Landfill—another site located in a predominantly Black neighborhood. How is this acceptable? The government is legally allowed to make people sick—especially those in communities already struggling with poor healthcare, education, and other public services—and no one seems to care.
When I first learned about Bingham Park, I was horrified. But then I realized: this isn’t just a Greensboro problem—it’s happening all over America. From Flint, Michigan’s water crisis to Cancer Alley in Louisiana to Uniontown, Alabama’s coal ash landfill disaster, environmental racism is everywhere. Marginalized communities are consistently targeted for hazardous waste sites and polluting industries because they’re seen as “disposable.” It’s infuriating—and heartbreaking.
To bring attention to the environmental racism happening in Greensboro, I partnered with NC Disaster Response and Resilience Network and Common Cause NC to host a screening of There’s Something In The Water. It was an honor to have Wesley Morris from the Beloved Community Center join us for the event. Wesley, a dedicated community organizer and advocate for transformative justice, brought invaluable insight to the discussion. He explained how systemic racism and poverty intersect with environmental degradation, showing how marginalized communities—like those around Bingham Park—are often forced to bear the brunt of these injustices. His perspective helped us connect what’s happening in Greensboro to a broader pattern of environmental racism across the country.
After the film concluded, we gathered together for a meaningful discussion about what we had just learned. The conversation was dynamic and eye-opening, with many students expressing shock at the realities of environmental racism. Some couldn’t believe that such blatant disregard for public health could be legal, while others voiced their anger at how these injustices disproportionately impact communities of color. It was a powerful moment of shared understanding, where we not only processed what we’d seen but also began brainstorming ways to address these issues locally.
I wanted NC A&T students to see environmental racism up close—to understand that this isn’t just someone else’s problem; it’s ours too. One scene in the film particularly struck me: as they drove through neighborhoods in Canada, nearly every house had someone who had either died from or was battling cancer due to nearby pollution. That moment hit hard because it mirrored what’s happening here in Greensboro. This isn’t just Canada’s story—it’s our story too.
Environmental racism thrives on silence and lack of education—and that’s exactly what allows governments to get away with poisoning their own citizens. By hosting this screening, my goal was to spark conversations and empower students to demand change—not just for Bingham Park but for all communities facing similar injustices across America.
What You Can Do
This fight doesn’t end with awareness—it begins there. We need action. Contact your local representatives and demand full remediation of Bingham Park instead of a “cap and cover” approach that leaves toxins behind. Attend city council meetings to hold leaders accountable for their decisions. Support organizations fighting for environmental justice like NC Disaster Response and Resilience Network or national groups like the Environmental Justice Network.
This isn’t just about Greensboro—it’s about changing a system that allows marginalized communities to bear the brunt of pollution while wealthier areas remain untouched. Together, we can make noise loud enough to be heard—and force change where it matters most.
Let’s not let silence be our legacy when lives are at stake.
