Colorado State University Athletics
Loree Smith blog: Oil Disaster
7/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Outdoor Track & Field
July 15, 2010
Some may not understand what the whole project going on in the gulf with athletes really was. Basically a few organizations got together working with the Sierra club to help spread awareness not only the distruction caused by the oil, but also in the communities, and what that means for the future of the U.S. As they explained it, coming from credible sources, coming from respected people, coming from those who are valued members of their community could better help spread awareness and not be dismissed as a radical environmentalist.
I was asked during an after interview if I thought of myself as an environmentalist. I smiled and wanted to spin some lie. Unlike many of the athletes there, this was my first real effort with an environmental issue and I had no ties or work with foundations promoting green products. So I answered, no. I called myself the average American. I did this because I didn’t want to be demonized nor do I feel “average” people like me should be. I recycled when it was convenient, I tried not to be wasteful, but I really didn’t go out of my way other than a few CFL light bulbs.
To view the rest of this blog entry and others on Smith's journey, click here.