"""In 1988, I was hired to document toxic dumping along the Mississippi River. During that trip I photographed The Great Louisiana Toxics March where African-American residents living under the cloud of the """"chemical corridor,"""" alternately called """"cancer alley,"""" joined forces with environmental groups in a protest from Baton Rouge to New Orleans.<br /> <br /> It was dynamic and inspiring to see their plea for clean air, land, and water placed in a civil rights context. After witnessing the severity of hazardous wastes and the local protests against it, I realized, as a photographer, the importance of documenting places that illustrate pollution infringing on everyday lives. Over several years I travelled around the country looking at communities affected by chemical spills and hazardous waste releases.<br /> <br /> Because photojournalism brings such powerful emotional immediacy to a subject, I believe photography is an important medium to use to help society address the difficult tragedy of environmental abuse.<br /> <br /> Images from this series have been published in the journal Aperture; magazines and trade publications reporting on environmental issues; used by environmental groups and the EPA, and displayed at museums including the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Library of Congress.<br /> <br /> I dedicate this series to the memory of Declan Haun: Photographer, Editor, Creator, Thinker, and Mentor to many. Our all too brief time spent """"talking pictures"""" had a profound impact on my appreciation of the beauty and power of photography and individuals. Thanks."""
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