The Magazine
Issue 19: Little Changes
Brown, Maurissa
By Maurissa Brown

she/her

one day we won’t have to hold our breath

Hybrid

the people will not choke the people will choke. the future is a magic eight ball.

“Every day, I complain, protest and object. But it takes such vigilance and activism to keep legislators on their toes and government accountable to the people on environmental issues.” —Hazel M. Johnson to the Chicago Tribune, 1995

Text below from “The Right to Breathe Is Under Attack —
This is How We’re Fighting Back,”1 November 25, 2025

Page 1 of "the problem with rolling back pollution safeguards" by Maurissa Brown
Page 2 of "the problem with rolling back pollution safeguards" by Maurissa Brown
Page 3 of "the problem with rolling back pollution safeguards" by Maurissa Brown
Page 4 of "the problem with rolling back pollution safeguards" by Maurissa Brown
Page 5 of "the problem with rolling back pollution safeguards" by Maurissa Brown
Page 6 of "the problem with rolling back pollution safeguards" by Maurissa Brown

1 “The Right to Breathe Is under Attack — This Is How We’re Fighting Back.” 2025. The Greenlining Institute. December 20, 2025. https://greenlining.org/2025/the-right-to-breathe-is-under-attack-this-is-how-were-fighting-back/. 

2 Trump, Donald. 2025. “Protecting American Energy from State Overreach.” The White House. April 8, 2025. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/protecting-american-energy-from-state-overreach/. 

3 “EPA ‘Endangerment Finding’ Explained in 5 Key Facts.” 2025. Stanford.edu. Stanford University. 2025. https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2025/09/endangerment-finding-epa-science-facts.

4 Frazin, Rachel. 2025. “Trump EPA Will Propose Repealing Finding That Climate Change Endangers Public Health.” The Hill. July 23, 2025. https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5416694-epa-proposes-repeal-2009-determination/. 

Brown, Maurissa
Maurissa Brown

Maurissa Brown is a neurodivergent poet, artist, and environmental justice advocate. She was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles but is currently based in Oakland where she works through policy to protect low-income and historically redlined communities across California from the devastating socio-environmental impacts of climate change. Maurissa just published her first book of poetry titled, blue. She loves to spend her time decorating her home and playing with her kitties.

Edited by Jeff Joseph Katz and Joyce Chen.
Share Copy link
Explore

We nurture and champion the voices of those dedicated to their craft.

Back to Little Changes