Commentary

COMMENTARY: Clean Air Is a Human Right

LOS ANGELES SENTINEL — My baby brother suffered from acute asthma his entire childhood, and witnessing his pain was tough on me, but even more so for my parents. It was disheartening to watch him suffer and miss school when he had trouble breathing. My parents, Mexican immigrants with limited education, worked multiple low-wage jobs to make ends meet. They often had to skip work to take care of him, which also hurt our ability to purchase appropriate treatments for him. For low-income families like mine, having health issues presents hard decisions about priorities and survival.

Published

7 years ago

May 8, 2019

brandon

By Noemí Gallardo, Senior Manager of Public Policy, Sunrun Inc.

My baby brother suffered from acute asthma his entire childhood, and witnessing his pain was tough on me, but even more so for my parents. It was disheartening to watch him suffer and miss school when he had trouble breathing. My parents, Mexican immigrants with limited education, worked multiple low-wage jobs to make ends meet. They often had to skip work to take care of him, which also hurt our ability to purchase appropriate treatments for him. For low-income families like mine, having health issues presents hard decisions about priorities and survival.

This is not a unique story. Asthma is a debilitating, life-threatening ailment that is only getting more common and costly in the U.S. Asthma costs $56 billion each year, directly hurting both the health and financial security of those afflicted. Our nation’s productivity also takes a hit, with 10.5 million missed days of school and 14.2 million missed days of work annually.

Poor air quality caused by dirty, fossil-fueled power plants is a significant contributor to the growth of this serious disease, and polluting power plants are overwhelmingly located in low-income and minority communities. According to the NAACP, approximately 68 percent of African Americans live or have lived within 30 miles of a coal-fired power plant. Meanwhile, a report by the Clean Air Task Force found nearly 2 million Latinos, like my family, live within a half mile of existing oil and gas facilities. My brother and I were born and lived just miles from the now-shutdown power plants located in Oxnard, California. Luckily, he overcame the asthma — not everyone does.

There is a direct connection between replacing fossil fuels with solar energy and the reduction of the risks of asthma, heart attacks and other ailments, according to research from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Health. Replacing these power plants with solar power is one important step we can take as a nation in curbing asthma as a public health epidemic.

A disproportionate burden

Asthma impacts some communities more than others. According to the above NAACP study, an African American or Latino child is twice as likely to die from an asthma attack compared to a Caucasian American child. African Americans in particular have much higher asthma rates than the general population, with nearly 17% of African American children having asthma, the highest rate among racial and ethnic groups and one that affects both educations and careers.

These are inequities with real consequences, but also a phenomena that is entirely preventable. We have the tools and technology today to reduce the prevalence and danger of asthma for all—especially for our children.

The right way forward

In a recent report, Sunrun outlined the potential to change the standard of living for residents and create cleaner, fresher air by displacing gas peaker plants in Los Angeles with home solar and batteries. This could bring both electricity savings and clean energy to 25,000 homes and 2,500 apartment buildings in traditionally underserved and low-income communities. These are areas with low solar penetration, and also areas most likely to host gas-fired power plants. Using solar can address smog issues today in the communities most affected by the lack of clean air.

Solar battery technology has improved which is important for energy storage and the cost for households to have solar has steadily been dropping over the last two decades. As the cost of solar drops, the opportunity opens up for everyone to have access regardless of socioeconomic status.

Smart policy and green bank financing provide financial support for lower-income residents to buy or lease solar systems. For example, the non-profit GRID Alternatives leverages additional funds to reduce project costs and provide workforce development opportunities for disadvantaged communities. These efforts must be supported by smart state policies that empower innovative companies to expand access to solar, such as redirecting low-income energy bill subsidies into grants that eligible customers can apply to home solar and battery systems.

Clean air should be a human right—not a luxury for the wealthy. My family’s experience has inspired me to become an advocate for low-income communities, ensuring that children like my brother won’t continue to suffer from asthma. On this World Asthma Day, let’s mobilize to fight the disease at its cause. Cleaner air equals healthier lungs, and with solar power, we can move towards fresh air and a healthier planet.

This article originally appeared in the Los Angeles Sentinel

brandon

Posts by brandon

Up Next

UNC of Charlotte Shooting – AutoNetwork Reports #220

Don't Miss

COMMENTARY: Let’s stand up for Black excellence at the U of M

brandon

Click to comment

Black History

IN MEMORIAM: The Rev. Leon “Sonny” Clark, Longtime Orange County Pastor and Community Leader, Dies at 72

Rev. Leon William “Sonny” Clark, the longtime pastor of New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana and a prominent faith and community leader in Orange County, passed away on September 9 at the age of 72. Born in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Clark was a U.S. Navy veteran who dedicated his life to service. He served various Southern California churches before leading New Spirit Baptist Church for over 22 years, extending his work into counseling, mentoring, and civic engagement, and supporting the African American community. To learn more about his life and contributions, read more.

Published

3 days ago

September 28, 2026

Post News Group

The Rev. Leon “Sonny” Clark. File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Rev. Leon William “Sonny” Clark, longtime pastor of New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana and a respected faith and community leader in Orange County, died Sept. 9. He was 72.

Born Oct. 2, 1953, in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Clark was a U.S. Navy veteran who later built a life of service centered on family, faith, ministry, and community.

Clark began his formal ministry at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Altadena in 1978. After acknowledging his call to ministry in 1980, he preached his first sermon and went on to serve churches throughout Southern California, including Second Baptist Church in Riverside, Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Rubidoux, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Pomona, and Friendship Baptist Church in Yorba Linda.

In November 2003, Clark was called to lead New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana, where he served as pastor for more than 22 years. His work extended beyond the pulpit through counseling, mentoring, civic engagement, and efforts to strengthen Orange County’s African American community.

Clark served on the Orange County Heritage Council and supported efforts to preserve and celebrate African American history and culture. He helped organize the Orange County Black History Parade and Unity Festival, served on the Interfaith Committee and the Orange County Transit Authority, and served as president of the Orange County Ministers Conference.

In 2024, the City of Santa Ana recognized Clark for his contributions to the community. He also received the Orange County Southern Baptist Association Hall of Faith Award and was previously honored as Pastor of the Year by the Orange County Heritage Council.

Clark is survived by his wife, Andrea Joyles Clark; six children, Shawn Williams, Le Ondra Clark Harvey, Kyla Coward, Joshua Clark, Marissa Clark and Ashley Clark; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings; extended family; and the New Spirit Baptist Church congregation.

A wake will be held Thursday, Oct. 1, from 4 to 8 p.m. at New Spirit Baptist Church, 701 S. Sullivan St. in Santa Ana, with a remembrance service from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, Oct. 2, at Friendship Baptist Church, 17145 Bastanchury Road in Yorba Linda. Viewing begins at noon, followed by the service at 1 p.m.

Burial will take place Monday, Oct. 5, at 10:15 a.m. at Riverside National Cemetery.

Clark often shared a guiding principle that shaped his ministry: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

Post News Group

Posts by Post News Group

Black History

Remembering Chauncey Bailey as Student Journalists Face Threats to Truth-Telling

Nearly two decades ago, Oakland Post reporter and editor-in-chief Chauncey Bailey was tragically murdered for investigating a crooked business. His assassination shocked the journalism world and is remembered as student journalists today face increasing threats and censorship. A former classmate of Bailey and chair of the Student Press Law Center notes a significant rise in calls from students seeking legal advice amid a hostile environment. This situation highlights the importance of protecting young journalists and their pursuit of truth. Read more to learn about Bailey’s legacy and current challenges facing student press.

Published

3 days ago

September 27, 2026

Post News Group

By Steven A. Holmes Special to The Post

It is nearly 20 years since Chauncey Bailey, a crusading journalist, was murdered

on an Oakland street corner, gunned down to prevent him from writing stories about a

crooked business.

I hope people remember Bailey, a reporter and editor-in-chief for the

Oakland Post, the city’s Black newspaper. He had already written several articles about

the problems of a business called Your Muslim Bakery and was working on another

when the bakery’s owner ordered an employee to kill Bailey.

His murder shocked the journalism world that found the idea of an American

reporter killed for doing his job unfathomable. For me, the shock and sadness were also

personal.

I knew Bailey. In the mid-1970s we were classmates in the Michelle Clark Memorial

Foundation program, the precursor to the Institute for Journalism Education Summer

Program. A program, backed by the Ford Foundation, that provided intensive training

for fledgling minority journalism students and then placed them in jobs at newspapers

and television stations.

I’m reminded of Bailey and that program when I visit the East Bay at the end of

September to discuss the future of student journalism. To me, the visit will not only

evoke memories of Bailey. It will also be an opportunity to hone strategies to protect and

support student journalists who are under attack today, maybe not in the way that took away Chauncey Bailey, but an attack, nonetheless.

Spurred by the hostility toward the free press emanating out of Washington, high

school and college journalists are facing a barrage of censorship and harassment from

school administrators and local officials.

The 24-hour hotline staffed by the Student Press Law Center (SPLC), the non-profit I chair, has seen a 35% increase in calls from student journalists seeking legal advice on censorship, libel and copyright issues during the past two years, as well as a tripling in the number of complaints of harassment, including threats of firing, of faculty advisors.

I am not suggesting today’s national climate is as dangerous as the murderous

intentions of Yusef Bey IV, the man who ordered Bailey’s assassination. But the

harassment of student journalists does kill something else. It can destroy the desire of

student journalists to continue their growth to become professional news gatherers and

producers – something the country will always need.

It is that professional maturation that I’m reminded of when I think back on Chauncey

Bailey.

Truth be told, when we were classmates back in 1974 Bailey was the class clown,

known more for his sardonic wit than his writing or reporting talent. I have vivid

memories of Bailey sitting at his desk in the back of the room regaling us with sarcastic

comments. Sure, he was funny.

And he didn’t exhibit the level of reporting skills of our other classmates such as Milton Coleman who went on to be the Deputy Managing Editor of the Washington Post or Alexis Scott who for years has run the Atlanta Daily World.

After a series of reporting jobs in Hartford, Connecticut, Detroit, Michigan, and Oakland, Bailey had risen in talent and skill to helm this very newspaper. A tip from a source led Bailey to look into the possibility that Bey was running Your Muslim Bakery into bankruptcy. Word that Bailey was working on that story filtered back to Bey who ordered the journalist killed.

On August 2, 2007, Bailey was shot three times at point-blank range as he walked to work.

So, when I think of my trip to the East Bay my thoughts go to journalism’s past

represented by Chauncey Bailey’s sacrifice and what the staff and the board of SPLC

can do to secure the current and future work of student journalists.

Steven A. Holmes is a former Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist. His novel “Black Messiahs” was published in May this year.