Abstract
The subjugation of Gullah Islanders has transitioned from enslavement to environmental racism, now compounded with yet another force of displacement: climate change. This research aimed to understand the impact of climate change on the Gullah of Hilton Head Island (HHI), South Carolina, emphasizing the need for bespoke reparations to address longstanding inequities and injustices. This case study utilized participatory methods, namely semi-structured interviews with Gullah community leaders, to illustrate the lived experiences of Native Islanders. A thematic analysis of interview transcripts identified concerns regarding restricted access to sweetgrass for traditional basket sewers, climate change impacts, inadequate post-disaster support, and a failure to supply appropriate reparations and dismantle systemic racism. Environmental and climate justice are employed as theoretical frameworks to explore the compounding consequences of climate change and inequitable development. Collaborative efforts with the Gullah community were found to be essential to achieving procedural justice in addressing inequity. “Just” outcomes are those that both embed Gullah culture and promote antiracism within climate policy. Proposed interventions include policies addressing land dispossession, nature-based adaptation measures, preservation of historic Gullah neighborhoods, equitable distribution of aid, and capacity building for disaster response. Through implementing these measures, HHI can harness the potential of climate adaptation and mitigation strategies to deliver reparations and preserve Gullah culture on the island.
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