Environmental Justice Film

Film

ERODING HISTORY

Eroding History tells the story of two Black communities on Deal Island, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, that are finding themselves at the intersection of sea level rise, historic racism, and the disappearance of Black communities. It is a climate justice story, made by two Black filmmakers and a Jewish grandchild of refugees. A deeply personal and moving story of a community striving to hold on to its culture, Eroding History is anything but dry.

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Deal Island is a place of great beauty, and a hard place to leave. Over the decades, many Black residents have been forced out of their communities due to flooding, a lack of jobs, and insufficient government responses to their needs. These photos show the struggles of coexisting with nature as climate change and sea level rise impact the landscape.

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Deal Island has lost much of its habitable land over the last century as it has turned to marsh.
Photo credit: Yazan Hasan

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The island is known for its oysters, which the skipjack fleets used to catch by the bushel. Only a few of the stately ships remain.
Photo credit: Rona Kobell

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A yardstick on Riley Roberts Road in Dames Quarters shows the rising sea levels.
Photo credit: Rona Kobell

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Sunset on Deal Island shows the magic of the place.
Photo credit: Rona Kobell

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This white, boarded up church is not abandoned, though many have assumed it is. The community is working to restore the John Wesley Church, which freed Black residents founded.
Photo credit: Rona Kobell

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This house on Deal Island is not unusual on the Shore, where salt and sea damage property and government resources often won’t step in to save it.
Photo credit: Rona Kobell

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Macedonia United Methodist Church, unlike John Wesley, is still open, but water frequently threatens it.
Photo credit: Rona Kobell

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Macedonia United Methodist Church had to cancel services for several weeks because of rising waters.
Photo credit: Rona Kobell

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Caskets have come out of their burial places because of water.
Photo credit: Rona Kobell

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Church members have been able to put caskets back, but it’s heartbreaking to see their loved ones disturbed.
Photo credit: Rona Kobell

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John Jones and Marlene Wallace grew up going to Macedonia and still return every week.
Photo credit: Rona Kobell

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Andre Chung, film director, sets up a shot.
Photo credit: Rona Kobell

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Rona Kobell, film producer, stands in Riley Roberts Road after a Nor’easter.
Photo credit: Carrie Samis

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Sean Yoes, co-producer, co-writer, and second camera operator, takes a break on Deal Island.
Photo credit: Rona Kobell

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The crew: Chung, Yoes and Kobell at Macedonia.
Photo credit: Tony Johnson

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We are proud to present Eroding History. If you would like the film screened for your organization or distributed on your channels, please contact rona@ejji.org