Green The Block in Washington, DC

Green The Block took shape in a few different ways in Washington, DC on 9/11.  Early in the morning elementary students delivered cards for our injured troops at Walter Reed.  The cards were made of recyclable materials.  Rev Yearwood headed over early in the morning to talk with some of the troops.  From his days as a Chaplain in the Air Force, talking and counseling soldiers wasn’t a new activity, but it was a stark reminder to Hip Hop Caucus staff about the realities of war and the price that our young men and women pay.

Over at Ballou Senior High, seniors participated in a day-long educational and planning session to develop green projects to carry out and complete this semester.  Surely, there is a lot more to come of these students who committed to greening their blocks and school, taking on leadership roles in the school and community.

Later in the afternoon the National Wildlife Foundation worked with students at Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School to plant an urban garden.  One of the veteran teachers spoke of Damu Smith and his incredible contributions to the environmental, civil rights, and peace and justice movements.  It was amazing to have his name and work invoked in relation to the Green The Block campaign.