Intentions: My intention is to address local, regional, and continental water problems produced and perpetuated by the Backward River. At the local level, South Side communities suffer from the environmental racism of toxic industries along the river while downtown and North Side communities enjoy recreation, restoration, and beautification on the same waterway. As some areas of the river receive regeneration efforts, green gentrification must be mitigated. Regionally, some Chicago suburbs live alongside heavy industry and warehousing, and have dwindling water supplies. Meanwhile, the Chicago River connected to the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal sends our wastewater through those communities. Ultimately, the Backward River sends that wastewater across the continent, damaging waterways along the way and producing a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico.
