WAYS TO PROGRESS
A marathon of support is needed to implement true change for the Black Lives Matter Movement. It's been an unsettling first half of the year to say the least, but we're inspired, motivated and, above all, hopeful for change.
In this issue, we take a deeper look at the wine industry and the impacts on People of Color. It's important to understand what's come before, in order to best move forward. The following is a breakdown of some findings and ways we can start to implement change. |
Environmental RacismWhile the natural wine industry prides itself on its commitment to bettering the earth (fewer pesticides, fewer chemicals, regenerative agriculture practices etc.), we wanted to highlight the overlap between climate change and racism. As climate change worsens, we're seeing its impact particularly in low-income areas, where there's a higher percentage of Black communities:
Black communities are more likely to be exposed to toxic pesticides linked with cancer and asthma, as many of these pesticides are deemed to have "acceptable levels of risk."
Source: Beyond Pesticides
On average, Black people are exposed to about 1.5 times more particulate matter (causing poor air quality) than white people, and Hispanics experience about 1.2 times the exposure of non-Hispanic whites.
Source: The Atlantic
An estimated 70% of the country’s contaminated waste sites are located near low-income housing.
Source: The Guardian Vineyard & Farm LaborThe California wine industry was largely built on Native American and Chinese labor, and today it continues to be harvested by a majority of migrant workers who often don't get the labor benefits and rights they deserve. Looking back at the history of well-known California wine regions, we're recognizing those who have helped build the industry we know today.
In the 1850s, Southern California vineyards were worked by Native Americans, who were mostly stripped of their rights through the Indian Indenture Act and treated as slave labor.
Source: The Daily Beast
Between 1856 and 1869, Chinese planted the majority of Sonoma County's 3.2 million grapevines though they were paid 40% less than white workers. They were eventually driven out of Sonoma and forcibly removed from the area by the 1880s.
Source: NPR
As of 2015, around 95% of Napa County farmworkers were originally from Mexico. In California, 5 out of 6 farmworkers were born abroad.
Source: NYTimes Farmworker Justice, a nonprofit that seeks to improve migrant workers' conditions, health, and safety → Migrant Justice, a nonprofit that fights for economic justice and human rights for the farmworker community → Restaurant RepresentationThe food and beverage industry has a problem with representation, especially at the leadership level. Even in regions where POC have a majority of representation they're often significantly underpaid.
Michelin-starred and Wine Spectator award-winning restaurants continue to be dominated by white, male demographics with Blacks representing less than 1% of wine buyers.
Source: Eater
Black and Brown-owned businesses are 3x as likely to be denied loans and Black restaurant workers are the lowest paid in the industry.
Source: Vice
POC are paid 56% less than white workers in the restaurant industry.
Source: Eater
Systemic racism is prevalent in most aspects of American life but the constant & continued focus on these issues leave us hopeful for change. If you're able, donate what you can, whether it's time, money or your energy, to fight these injustices. And please go vote in November ;) |