9 episodes
The Repair Lab The Repair Lab at the University of Virginia
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- History
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4.6 • 26 Ratings
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The Repair Lab presents documentary series that seek to understand the dynamics behind environmental justice issues at the intersection of climate change and racial justice.
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Introducing: CROSSWINDS
Crosswinds
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.
COALDUSTKILLS.COM
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IG: @coaldustkills
Crosswinds is a project of the Repair Lab. The Repair Lab is part of the University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute for Democracy.
Find out more at https://wading-between-two-titans.pinecast.co -
WADING BETWEEN TWO TITANS: Live from the Attucks Theatre 8-5-2023
A live panel takes us deeper into themes of housing, race and sea-level rise particular to Norfolk, VA. This panel features Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander, Monét Johnson and Kim Sudderth.
Some highlights:
Dr. Newby-Alexander quotes from "Frozen 2"
Monét doesn't hold back
Kim gives some solid advice
This was recorded live at the Attucks Theatre as part of our Community Listening Party on August 5, 2023.
Transcript coming soon at twotitans.org.
Find out more at https://wading-between-two-titans.pinecast.co -
WADING BETWEEN TWO TITANS: 5. Resilient City
“If we are to save our city, we're going to have to throw everything at it.”
Different approaches to resilience in Norfolk reflect different ideas about what resilience means. Big solutions have big effects, but leave some residents behind. Others aim to fill gaps left behind by the big ones.
www.twotitans.org
@therepairlab on Twitter
Archival selections via the City of Norfolk.
Read the City of Norfolk’s report on the Floodwall Extension Plan here.
Learn about the Environmental Justice Policy Clinic here.
Learn more about Wetlands Watch and their work on their website.
Read about sea-level rise and explore maps, projections and impacts at the National Climate Assessment.
This episode was written, recorded, produced, edited, mixed, mastered and hosted by Adrian Wood.
Show art by Adrian Wood.
Story editing by Kelly Jones.
Music by Sugarlift.
This episode features the voices of Vincent Hodges, Vernell Fields, Johnny Finn, April Hatfield, Skip Stiles, Dr. Kenny Alexander, Chip Filer, Kim Sudderth, and workshop participants.
With support from the Karsh Institute of Democracy.
Find out more at https://wading-between-two-titans.pinecast.co -
WADING BETWEEN TWO TITANS: 4. The City Dreams
“What is gonna happen for us – or to us – with this project?”
April lives in Grandy Village in Norfolk, VA. Her waterfront neighborhood floods a lot, but that’s getting fixed with the Ohio Creek Watershed Project. The project is a dream come true, but the reality is more complicated.
www.twotitans.org
@therepairlab on Twitter
Archival selections from the Virginia General Assembly and via the City of Norfolk.
Sea-level rise estimates are drawn from a 2017 NOAA report, cited in the 2021 Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan.
Read WTKR’s coverage on the Ohio Creek Watershed Project here.
Here is the City of Norfolk’s page on the Ohio Creek Project, and the project’s official website.
Learn more about Wetlands Watch and their work on their website.
Read about sea-level rise and explore maps, projections and impacts at the National Climate Assessment.
Here’s Andrew Kahrl’s work on coastal real estate development in the US.
This episode was written, recorded, produced, edited, mixed, mastered and hosted by Adrian Wood.
Show art by Adrian Wood.
Story editing by Kelly Jones.
Music by Sugarlift.
This episode features the voices of April Hatfield, Skip Stiles, Ashley Hobbes, Del. Mark Keam, Sen. Lynwood Lewis, Andria McClellan, Paul Riddick, Andrew Kahrl, Kim Sudderth and Vincent Hodges.
With support from the Karsh Institute of Democracy.
Find out more at https://wading-between-two-titans.pinecast.co -
WADING BETWEEN TWO TITANS: 3. The City Displaced
A redevelopment flood-proofs a mostly Black neighborhood, but it’s not the families who dealt with the construction, the multiple forced moves, or the chronic flooding who get to reap the benefits of the new infrastructure. The St Paul’s quadrant in Norfolk, VA, gets redeveloped in a historical pattern that disperses Black and poor residents.
www.twotitans.org
@therepairlab on Twitter
Archival selections via ODU’s Digital Collections and WTKR.
Read coverage on the St Paul’s Transformation Project here, here, here and here.
Watch Soledad O’Brien’s BET feature on the St Paul’s Transformation Project.
More about the gentrification of Ghent in this article.
Here’s a PBS documentary where you can learn more about Section 8 housing choice vouchers.
This episode was written, recorded, produced, edited, mixed, mastered and hosted by Adrian Wood.
Show art by Adrian Wood.
Story editing by Kelly Jones.
Music by Sugarlift.
With support from the Karsh Institute of Democracy.
Find out more at https://wading-between-two-titans.pinecast.co -
WADING BETWEEN TWO TITANS EXTRA: Ladale Winling on redlining
How are East coast urban landscapes complicated by 1930s home loans? In this short interview, hear how racist and classist redlining policies are just one example of the American home finance system working exactly as it’s supposed to. LaDale Winling is an award winning urban and digital historian and an expert on redlining and housing discrimination.
Explore redlining maps for your city, or any city in the US, on the “Mapping Inequality” project here. This project is one of many by Ladale. See more of his work on his website, ladalecwinling.com.
www.Twotitans.org
@therepairlab on Twitter
This episode was written, recorded, produced, edited, mixed, mastered and hosted by Adrian Wood.
Show art by Adrian Wood.
Story editing by Kelly Jones.
Music by Sugarlift.
With support from the Karsh Institute of Democracy.
Find out more at https://wading-between-two-titans.pinecast.co
Customer Reviews
Fascinating podcast!
I listened to the first episode, and it was a very informative and fascinating overview of the environmental injustice taking place in Norfolk. Before this podcast, I was unaware of environmental problems in Norfolk. Furthermore, I did not know about the immense flood risk in Norfolk. The episode highlights the environmental racism that is present in Norfolk quite well. It also provides a well done account of the history of Norfolk. Overall, the episode is educational, informative and provides a well done deep dive into the environmental risks and injustice in Norfolk.
Such A Wonderful Podcast!
The first episode of the podcast series, “Wading Between Two Titans” was incredibly insightful. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience learning from this podcast. I think that the commentary was thoughtful, engaging, and a very vulnerable depiction of racial justice in Norfolk, Virginia. Interviews with these residents have offered a diverse perspective from various leaders, innovators, and experts that understand the relationship between the community and various elements of environmental justice.
As it relates to the production of the podcast, I found myself being transported into this very serene and peaceful space while being able to listen to an engaging and insightful conversation. The host had an incredible group of people contributing to this conversation, which allowed for an array of perspectives and solutions to be brought to the table. Overall, “Wading Between Two Titans” is such an important podcast that everyone should listen to in order to broaden their perspectives and educate themselves and those around them.
Great, informative podcast
I thoroughly enjoyed this podcast and found it very informative on the climate and housing issues in Norfolk, Virginia. I enjoyed the use of personal testimonies and antic-dotes from those affected by water level and housing redlining issues. This podcast tells the story of Norfolk, from start to finish, in the environmental and political events that have shaped the area to what it is today. It highlights the disheartening reality that the injustices in Norfolk have not been resolved and thousands of victims still remain.