Responding to Dark Waters - Essay Example

Just as the title suggests, the essay presents the dark side of civilization in Bogalusa as a representative of situations in the entire globe. This response paper will analyze the article critically and unravel these dark sides. The author chose an appropriate title for this piece of work. No other title would efficiently convey the themes of the essay in only two words. The author succeeds in revealing all types of poisoning in Bogalusa that made all waters dark. Bogalusa has both white and black residents who do not trust each other (Komunyakaa 108).

The whites have gained dominance over the men of color. The men of color in this region have limited opportunities in every sector (99). The author offers much imagery that describes the situation of the men of color in this region. The reader cannot help but empathize with the men of color living in Bogalusa. The author does not exaggerate things because the American history in the years mentioned tell it all. Men of color have been struggling to attain equality and inclusion. The essay elaborates all forms of environmental pollution evident in Bogalusa.

There are all forms of pollution in the city. There are numerous air explosions, water pollutions, and deforestation. Rivers and ponds in the region have toxins from continuous pollution. There are no interventions to curb environmental degradation. The numerous descriptions and poems help the reader understand the real situation of environmental degradation in Bogalusa. The author paints a realistic concept in the mind of the reader through the vivid illustrations, poems reflecting the nature and references to his opinion.

The author expresses his feelings about the condition. It is obvious that he sees horror in Bogalusa. He wishes everything were reversible to return nature into the original state. The poem ‘Fog Galleon’ depicts the real situation of things in Bogalusa (106). Through the author’s image, the reader gets to understand the situation. In addition, the author illustrates the effects of environmental degradation to man. He mentions the development of cancer, respiratory diseases, and death. By highlighting these effects, he drives the reader to understand the fact he mentions at the end of the essay that as long as humans do not conserve the environment, they will definitely face negative consequences.

Komunyakaa sums it up by saying that ‘hurting nature wounds human beings’ (111). This fact receives a lot of support from the essay. All negative effects towards the environment eventually affect the welfare of man either directly or indirectly. The changing global climates in the recent past serve as further support to the author’s allegation. Humans have brought doom to themselves through activities that are destructive to nature. The reader can clearly understand what the author implies when he says that man and nature exist in connection.

Komunyakaa exposes an additional reality of matters. Governments are reluctant to enact laws that act as guidelines to environmental protection. Louisiana is a clear example of what majority of government sectors are doing. It was becoming obvious that the prevailing environmental conditions needed intervention. However, the officials were doing nothing about it. Through this, the author introduces a new idea about racism trends in American states. States inhabited by majority blacks were likely to be home to multiple companies releasing numerous toxic