Social Environmental Justice Statement

Torrey House Press stands with all people of color in our state, nation, and around the world in the protest against police brutality, white supremacy, systemic racism, racial capitalism, and all forms of violence inflicted upon people of color. We recognize that environmental justice is social justice and that we have a responsibility to incorporate social justice in our projects—from acquisitions to community conversations. Torrey House was established with the ultimate goal of keeping more grass on the mountains and more water in the streams. But we realize it’s not that simple—which mountains? whose water?—and that the celebrated voices of the environmental movement are majority white and male; they too often overlook the deep-seated histories, violent uprooting, and current disenfranchisement of communities of color, who carry their own rich stories, strong ties to landscape, resilient justice movements, and cultural complexities.

Torrey House Press was born of the white environmentalist movement. Our mission to shift cultural awareness of complex, environmental issues isn’t possible if Black and Indigenous writers don’t have a seat at the table. Moving forward as an environmental publisher, we are working to elevate the voices of writers of color, whose communities are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis due to systemic environmental racism. We believe in the power of story to change hearts and minds, and are committed to serving as a platform for writers whose work engages deeply with place and expands and challenges the current conversation on environmental and social justice. As we work to elevate and amplify codes and stories from people of color in THP’s operations, we recognize the need to create and commit to specific initiatives for change. In the coming weeks, we will develop a list of initiatives. We welcome suggestions, introductions, and input, and will post our progress as these initiatives take shape.

In solidarity,

Kirsten Johanna Allen

Kathleen Metcalf

Anne Terashima

Rachel Buck-Cockayne

Michelle Wentling