How a Chemical Company Created a Ghost Town | Overlooked

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  • Опубликовано: 26 апр 2024
  • A historic community built by formerly enslaved people has become a ghost town after a majority of its residents took voluntary home buyouts offered by a South African petrochemical company looking to expand its plant. The residents thought they were getting fair deals for their homes but some now feel Sasol's voluntary property purchase program amounted to land theft. In Episode 3 of Overlooked, VICE heads to Mossville, Louisiana, following a human rights attorney investigating what really took place and how Mossville residents were financially and emotionally impacted by Sasol's deal.
    You can find Sasol's full statement here: docs.google.com/document/d/11...
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Комментарии • 979

  • @VICE
    @VICE  2 года назад +33

    Check out episodes 1 & 2 of Overlooked here:
    ruclips.net/video/OE3gIqiNKNA/видео.html ruclips.net/video/dT0rL4TvX-I/видео.html

  • @Tadams1987
    @Tadams1987 2 года назад +606

    I can't even finish watching this documentary. My family is one of the last remaining families in Mossville. It is a ghost town indeed. So glad this story is being spread to the masses.

    • @MK-tq6zx
      @MK-tq6zx 2 года назад +8

      Watching it right now even from Poland

    • @jizim8947
      @jizim8947 2 года назад +2

      LIAR!!!!

    • @Tadams1987
      @Tadams1987 2 года назад +16

      @@jizim8947 who's lying

    • @patirckozz
      @patirckozz Год назад

      and to the Mosses

    • @jizim8947
      @jizim8947 Год назад

      @@patirckozz HAIL SATAN 🤘🤘🤘

  • @okas425
    @okas425 2 года назад +478

    This video needs more views. Seriously, it's sad how much energy companies get away with, they are never accountable for their actions.

    • @michelleleinonen-valdez1589
      @michelleleinonen-valdez1589 2 года назад +13

      They the energy companies have been doing this to the natives of la and blacks for hundereds of years.

    • @notveryobviousguy4373
      @notveryobviousguy4373 2 года назад +2

      @@michelleleinonen-valdez1589 finally someone who knows. So many vacuous sheep crying, this has been going on forever!

    • @fooloks9776
      @fooloks9776 2 года назад +1

      @@michelleleinonen-valdez1589 yup, near vernon and have had know many people drop dead or develop sickness way too early

    • @thejquinn
      @thejquinn 2 года назад +6

      Even worse, we subsidize them.

    • @okas425
      @okas425 2 года назад

      @@notveryobviousguy4373 are you mentally challenged? That’s literally what I’m saying, “they are never accountable…”

  • @deeringkendrick8388
    @deeringkendrick8388 2 года назад +254

    This is a great example of how the State of Louisiana colluded with a foreign company to do this. A South African company would not have known about the local land use regulations, land transfer process, Louisiana's regulatory processes, or how to cheat these people. The State had to have some involvement. It told Sassol how to cheat these people.

    • @annemcmillen5447
      @annemcmillen5447 2 года назад +1

      Yep

    • @LIZZARDWOLFE
      @LIZZARDWOLFE 2 года назад +12

      Of course they knew about all that stuff, that's why they built there

    • @stickperformance
      @stickperformance 2 года назад +19

      Of all places a South African company I know they feel right at home there welcome to Amerikkka

    • @klean_upguyza6461
      @klean_upguyza6461 Год назад

      @@stickperformance a little bit how southafricans feel living like this for decades

    • @SquidBit
      @SquidBit Год назад +1

      Bobby was a character.. Not putting the full blame, but knowing him.. he certainly let this happen and knew the outcome (not first rodeo for him). Oh well we are in no better of a boat now, as we now have a viral facebook video celeb as our replacement representative now. He is funny though (clay higgins). Were in a pickle as long as young people refuse to vote and openly discuss their opinions probably

  • @tanzoniaflakes5068
    @tanzoniaflakes5068 2 года назад +90

    We had no idea what was being done to us. My mom died of lung failure. That plant blew up 2x while I was in middle and high school. These people are demons and I curse them and their families to suffer the same fate we have had to.

    • @FreeTheMennDarklo
      @FreeTheMennDarklo Год назад +1

      That’s wicked

    • @vergespierre4271
      @vergespierre4271 Год назад

      Yup they've always waged war on us since their inception on this land. We aint never been from Africa. We are the ones that they've waed war on in past ( as us being Indigenous to MAerica) and still to this day. It is as it was in the past- just a different make up

    • @tanzoniaflakes5068
      @tanzoniaflakes5068 Год назад +9

      @@FreeTheMennDarklo that's right. It's truly wicked what they have done to us.

    • @KimFert
      @KimFert Год назад +1

      Yes!

    • @user-SubvurzIV
      @user-SubvurzIV Год назад +5

      I'm so sorry this happened to you all, I'm fucking disgusted by everything I've learned in the last 30 mins.

  • @khalilahd.
    @khalilahd. 2 года назад +426

    This is so sad. Being a part of a community that was taken over by businesses can’t be easy. Thanks for being awareness Vice, definitely an eye opener 🙏🏽

    • @alirott2271
      @alirott2271 2 года назад

      NOT TAKEN OVER BY BUSINESSES.
      TAKEN OVER ( STOLEN )BY POLITICIANS….AND SOLD TO BUSINESSES.
      Your welcome.

    • @patirckozz
      @patirckozz Год назад

      vice. owned and opperated by ....Disney..... showingv the unfortunate what they took awayu. and causing greif.

    • @2010RSHACKS
      @2010RSHACKS Год назад +2

      I see you comment everywhere lol

    • @patirckozz
      @patirckozz Год назад

      @@2010RSHACKS yeah i do maybe

  • @jenniferlamont7460
    @jenniferlamont7460 2 года назад +591

    The police juror was incredibly dismissive of the threats and racism Sasol imposed on the Black residents of Mossville. You can see exactly how unconcerned that all-White community leadership was with destroying a Black community that had been formed just two decades after United States became a country. It's heartbreaking to know that this community was torn up, made diseased, and became impoverished for something that ultimately improved nothing.

    • @fefemyluv
      @fefemyluv 2 года назад +23

      Exactly. He didn’t relate at all.

    • @YourMom-cu8yt
      @YourMom-cu8yt 2 года назад

      Only bootlickers ever make it onto jury’s. The questionnaires they send for jury duty ask if you agree with the legal system. So if you don’t agree with the state in its entirety, you will be weeded out from jury duty.

    • @kevinsimmons7841
      @kevinsimmons7841 2 года назад +19

      Did anyone notice the reaction from the reporter when he said they have their own little section in the library

    • @viewtifulnovanorman9059
      @viewtifulnovanorman9059 2 года назад +1

      But dude it's for future progress. So all is well.

    • @d3stello157
      @d3stello157 2 года назад +24

      @@viewtifulnovanorman9059 It’s for
      monetary gain. aka greed

  • @clearmoneytea
    @clearmoneytea 2 года назад +98

    Top 1% of toxic air in Louisiana and #2 super polluter in the nation! Yet county commissioner saying he doesn’t believe there is a lot of pollution in the area… Make it make sense.
    This community should be receiving compensation for being poisoned by the byproducts of these plants.
    So much to unpack in this video.

    • @PHlophe
      @PHlophe 2 года назад +5

      vox had a similar doco on Louisina, its far far worse . when half of a community has cancers

    • @samhardy2038
      @samhardy2038 2 года назад

      BULL!

    • @bresams2917
      @bresams2917 Год назад

      Where is Erin Brockavich 😭

    • @chichi3701
      @chichi3701 Год назад

      He used his nose and eyes as the scientific tool to detect pollution.

    • @HurtsEnd
      @HurtsEnd Год назад

      @@chichi3701 literally, it’s not their problem until it’s at their front door.

  • @kgositumelomoafrikatota624
    @kgositumelomoafrikatota624 2 года назад +55

    As a South African, I never knew this. I always viewed Sasol as just an energy company providing fuel and providing jobs; thanks for the eye opening doc

    • @BatsiraiMusuka
      @BatsiraiMusuka Год назад +6

      You’re not alone Bru. I’m Zimbabwean, and l didn’t expect to hear about Sasol from an American documentary. But that a huge corporate in the energy field being exploitative…that didn’t surprise me at all. All these oil companies are dirty.

    • @sourlemon83
      @sourlemon83 Год назад +6

      I live in this city in the video, our lake is polluted, the industrial plants are making people sick, and are destroying the natural environment, but it all gets covered up. It’s terrible. Please spread awareness in your country of what this evil company is doing, not just to my community, but to yours too

  • @Skarlett00
    @Skarlett00 2 года назад +196

    10:08 “Big business get what they want and you get out the way.”
    Thank you for telling this story and bringing attention to it.

    • @Popcorncedar
      @Popcorncedar 2 года назад +2

      Says a guy that didn’t get out of the way.

    • @alirott2271
      @alirott2271 2 года назад

      Let’s get this straight….. it’s not big businesses that do this to you directly.
      It’s the politicians that steal your land steal your rights steal your blood sweat tears and souls….THEY DONT EVEN STEAL IT…. You all give it to them.
      AND THEN THEY SALE IT TO BIG BUSINESSES.
      Your welcome.

    • @armyofautistics
      @armyofautistics 2 года назад

      I love Bobo so much rn

    • @armyofautistics
      @armyofautistics 2 года назад

      @@Popcorncedar he's sexy for that one

    • @bodyloverz30
      @bodyloverz30 Год назад +1

      Where are Huey & Earl, when you need them?

  • @jfdblues
    @jfdblues Год назад +20

    I come from a biracial family, all my relatives on the black side of my family, all my aunts uncles cousins grandparents all lived on one big long street in a small town in Pennsylvania. Their homes were bought out by the state to build a highway and it scattered my family all over the place and my family definitely suffered because of that. I have so many beautiful childhood memories of being there on that street and now there are maybe one or two relatives left that are still around. There was even a small amusement park at the end of the street. The one room shack where my father went to elementary school was there. Seeing things like this make me so sad

  • @lilah337
    @lilah337 2 года назад +66

    I’m from Lake Charles and spent a lot of time in Mossville growing up. I’ve told so many about what happened to it throughout my life and my boyfriend just the other day. I was in my cousin’s wedding at the church that was shown. Such a bustling area once with rich history, beautiful landscapes, great food and stories. Very good research and video! If we needed something from a garden we could always get it in Mossville. That strawberry wine he makes is delicious and sneaks up on you.

  • @Libra_Strings
    @Libra_Strings 2 года назад +84

    Find any black person over 35 and they’ll show you their gentrified or even erased childhood home/ neighborhood 😔

    • @ricky-sanchez
      @ricky-sanchez 2 года назад +8

      The children leave their parents home to get trapped in an apartment, thinking they can save up and buy a home of their own. This ain't the 70s anymore. A home in the crappiest of neighborhoods is always going to start at 300k. Then with interest on loans, you will always end up paying 3x the amount you borrowed in the long run. There is no way you can buy a home now without some kind of generational wealth backing you up. And with rents being 1200 or more and only going up, you will never be able to buy a home on anything less than 50k salary a year if you rent an apartment while saving up. This is the blueprint of how gentrifiers make money and create neighborhoods.☹️

    • @jasonhare9434
      @jasonhare9434 2 года назад +1

      True but it's really a class thing

    • @vids595
      @vids595 Год назад +1

      My neighbor is 51 and he lives in his childhood home. He is black.

    • @ricky-sanchez
      @ricky-sanchez Год назад +2

      @@vids595 He is lucky.

    • @susannaschnell4147
      @susannaschnell4147 Год назад +1

      @@ricky-sanchez 100 % correct you are. Our children will more than likely not be able to purchase homes. Even to leave your home for them upon our passing. Well they have ways of weaseling a lot out of that. Shameful what these greedy monsters do to the average working people.

  • @marcosluna7792
    @marcosluna7792 2 года назад +90

    That Police Juror was a real piece of work.

    • @nonoback22
      @nonoback22 2 года назад +5

      My thoughts exactly 💯

    • @leont5096
      @leont5096 2 года назад

      Piece of 💩 mean

    • @princesstriceestar
      @princesstriceestar 2 года назад +4

      The hoops he jumped through to say "Too bad" 🤷🏾‍♀️

    • @MsAmberlynn21
      @MsAmberlynn21 Год назад +10

      He must have gotten a kickback for helping getting the residents out.

    • @princesstriceestar
      @princesstriceestar Год назад +2

      @@MsAmberlynn21 Definitely likely

  • @nitarose44
    @nitarose44 2 года назад +116

    This is heartbreaking. I appreciate you sharing stories like these, Vice.

  • @tannerhevron8496
    @tannerhevron8496 2 года назад +45

    They ran out of money, the first expansion didn’t do finish on time or budget and the investors were constantly out there wondering where they’re money was going. Sasol was late on paying contractors, contractors had to to lay off them rehire when paid. There was a lot of corruption and theft on that project shady all around I was on it for about 2 years.

  • @catherinewhaley3956
    @catherinewhaley3956 Год назад +13

    This reminds me of the Lambert Airport buyout in St. Louis. My grandparents, along with hundreds of other working class families, were forced to move so that the airport could expand. The expansion never happened, and shells of homes are the only reminders left of a once-thriving community.

  • @thebearszn
    @thebearszn 2 года назад +81

    This documentary is so heartbreaking. It is scary how destructive shareholder capitalism is. Beneath the profits and development is a lot of exploitation and anguish.

    • @thejquinn
      @thejquinn 2 года назад +8

      Exploitation and anguish are the only things capitalism has ever been.

    • @dpharr100
      @dpharr100 2 года назад

      @@thejquinn got any better systems. I hear the USSR had a great system

    • @thejquinn
      @thejquinn 2 года назад +3

      @@dpharr100 Have you never heard of co-ops? It completely gets rid of the hierarchial capitalist set up we all grew up with.

    • @dpharr100
      @dpharr100 2 года назад +1

      @@thejquinn ok comrade

    • @deezy5213
      @deezy5213 2 года назад

      Facts💯💯💯🤦🏽‍♂️

  • @shundricab7883
    @shundricab7883 2 года назад +55

    This is so sad to see it from this angle, but I am glad it is bringing awareness to what happened to us. No one could understand the feeling of being forced to move and not having a feeling of a place called home. No more hometown. Oh how I miss my city so much. We were all a family and stuck together. They forced us apart and called it voluntary.

    • @CrystalHealingVibrations
      @CrystalHealingVibrations 2 года назад +6

      Exactly! I thought it would get better over time but it hasn't. I realize what they took from us more and more with each passing day. I will never forgive them for taking our heritage and our togetherness in exchange for mere pennies.

    • @notveryobviousguy4373
      @notveryobviousguy4373 2 года назад

      So many vacuous sheep, this has been going on forever so suck it up snowflakes. No one cared when white man took everything from my ancestors, what a joke. Karma is taking everything back. You guys deserve what ever happens

    • @sassagrass7095
      @sassagrass7095 Год назад +1

      Absolutely devastating. It's repulsive how this type of bullshit is even legal. I am very sorry.

  • @freshbme2
    @freshbme2 2 года назад +23

    Ememinet Domain. That's a word EVERYONE should know. If a corporation wants your land, and you refuse to sell it. This is the word they use when they decide to take it...its happened all over the u.s.

    • @AlainaBobbit
      @AlainaBobbit Год назад +2

      currently happening in durham they’re trying to build an highway extension through black on land

    • @TheStefanp10
      @TheStefanp10 Год назад +2

      Happened in RI when they wanted to extend the run way for the airport

    • @fuckgoogleandyou8779
      @fuckgoogleandyou8779 Год назад

      That’s why I don’t feed the big rat Orlando Fl

  • @cleanuptomcat2
    @cleanuptomcat2 2 года назад +38

    Damn it's crazy how corporations deplete resources and history and pretty much anything in its way..

    • @thejquinn
      @thejquinn 2 года назад +2

      The entire idea of private property is to delete/deplete ones resources and history.

  • @aribear1846
    @aribear1846 2 года назад +26

    It’s sad, I was born and raised In Louisiana and stories like this were told too often mostly after Katrina too. SMH.

  • @ohiovstheworld
    @ohiovstheworld 2 года назад +56

    This is horrendous. Sasol obliterated this small town and doesn't care even in the slightest. There were immense failures on the part of the police juror and governor of Louisiana. The worst part is, they knew what they were doing.

    • @Reeeeeee12345
      @Reeeeeee12345 2 года назад +1

      Based

    • @africa_explained_tv
      @africa_explained_tv 2 года назад

      Same energy with European companies that actually did something wrong? Or is this faux outrage only because Sasol is South AFRICAN?

    • @sassagrass7095
      @sassagrass7095 Год назад +2

      The most sickening part is that they knew. Idk how the ever loving f*ck anyone involved with this utter BS sleeps at night. What they did to the people of Mossville and around is horrifying.

    • @joshlewis575
      @joshlewis575 Год назад

      Moving people out at a loss is shady as frick. But basically poisoning the remaining people is the totally fucked up part. To listen to that older gentleman rattle off his whole family getting cancer was sickening. They'll continue poisoning everything around n then when they're ordered to clean it up they'll all of a sudden go bankrupt, only to reopen under a different name. Our whole system is so ass backwards it's not even funny

  • @Keenah81
    @Keenah81 2 года назад +13

    How did Sasol discover this small & virtually unknown town in the first place??? Seems like there are several devils at work here with their hands in the pot. Blessings to ALL those affected 🙏🏽

    • @beck2752
      @beck2752 Год назад

      Bobby jindal

    • @LCGUY520
      @LCGUY520 Год назад +1

      It's a small community right between two cities with multiple industries and one of the busiest ports in the country. So it's not out in the middle of nowhere

  • @TheBlueRoan316
    @TheBlueRoan316 Год назад +9

    "We collected relics from historic Mossville to preserve." "Sometimes in the name of progress ..
    ."
    Listening to hat man's line no of corporate loving Bulls#$t made me sick to my stomach!
    Bobby Jindal was the absolute worst thing to happen to Louisiana in modern times.

  • @sheeperskipps
    @sheeperskipps 2 года назад +42

    Holy crap, environmental justice is really needed in the South. Big industry shakes things up more than helps the little guy

  • @SabriLaMujerPelao
    @SabriLaMujerPelao 2 года назад +70

    This is so tragic…. Such blatant racism, shocking…. I am so sorry this happened to you, residents of Mossville. You didn’t deserve it and I hope you receive justice!

    • @shundricab7883
      @shundricab7883 Год назад

      Thank you so much for your kind words.

    • @trix9803
      @trix9803 Год назад

      ABSOLUTELY AGREE

    • @liajohnson1968
      @liajohnson1968 Год назад +1

      I hope they do too I’m so tired and hopeless seeing my people get the short end of the stick since the end of times 😢😞

    • @trix9803
      @trix9803 Год назад +1

      @George Jones
      DAMN RIGHT

  • @Kakeyoro
    @Kakeyoro 2 года назад +19

    I will be forever grateful that my generation has been blessed with such a syndication as Vice News.

  • @ChainAcrobatic
    @ChainAcrobatic 2 года назад +44

    This is such a good documentary. Thank you vice.

  • @blubastud
    @blubastud 2 года назад +16

    The irony that a company from South Africa did this is just too much.

    • @selenaquiles1
      @selenaquiles1 Год назад +2

      Whats so ironic??? South Africa is infamous 4 apartheid....

    • @normbograham
      @normbograham 5 месяцев назад

      @@selenaquiles1 I worked with a guy from South Africa, and he wanted out. South Africa, thinks it's ok to take your property.

  • @n00dles79
    @n00dles79 2 года назад +14

    16:00 is very important, arguably the most important point. And it’s what that good ole White boy cop missed - picking between dying of cancer and having sick children or leaving your ancestral home is NOT a choice.

  • @agriloopsa5899
    @agriloopsa5899 2 года назад +3

    I have a family in Sasolburg,sasol's headquarters,and and one of their refiners are situated there,the city is just engulfed with smoke 24/7,my grandma has asthma,and that is a person that grew very healthy and no sicknesses

  • @craigt2539
    @craigt2539 2 года назад +15

    Vice always has the most interesting stories and documentaries, I love eating some good food and chilling to a vice doc

  • @fordsrgay4881
    @fordsrgay4881 2 года назад +24

    It could be wonderful story to expand on that "their land is their wealth, something they can pass down" point across the US in all underprivileged communities. Not to take away anything from this story and it's impact, just thoughts :)

  • @michaelvickers89
    @michaelvickers89 2 года назад +27

    I love shows like this hearing about places that no one else would ever cover. 👌💯

  • @Yayafarm
    @Yayafarm Год назад +10

    It's heartbreaking seeing a toxic industry breaking apart and damaging a previously healthy community

  • @TheHarvestchef
    @TheHarvestchef 2 года назад +1

    Wow Vice! You are killing it! The level of journalism going on here is outstanding. One story after another. Thank you!
    The question that comes to mind is, what do we do with this information? Solutions people...

    • @TheHarvestchef
      @TheHarvestchef 2 года назад

      There has to be a lawsuit here. It has to be brought to the court system. That's where it has to start...if we are to use the same systems...

  • @onekewlbraddah8460
    @onekewlbraddah8460 2 года назад +6

    Thank you Vice for another great Documentary. They do this everyone where all over the country to this day!

  • @jada589
    @jada589 2 года назад +4

    I really respect you guys for continuing to report on this problem.. it has been going on for generations

  • @jamesz.williams8746
    @jamesz.williams8746 2 года назад +7

    The same thing is still happening all over the south. I can look to my own hometown of Greenville, SC. Twenty years ago homes were affordable, but then rich people moved in, Greenville was revamped to attract even more people with money and now those same historic black communities that were close to downtown are none existent now. Home prices around town have soared. A basic starter home will now set you back $400,000.

  • @traderzrlt4233
    @traderzrlt4233 2 года назад +2

    I love all you brave journalists that are on the ground getting this vital info. You guys always expose how false and corrupt these people are. Everywhere is the same. Power corrupts. Thank you.

  • @rob9320
    @rob9320 2 года назад +17

    THIS shows what vice is capable of capturing and why I subscribed to them in the first place.

  • @deadbydefiance9341
    @deadbydefiance9341 2 года назад +46

    Normally I hate on Vice for covering stuff that doesn't REALLY matter, but this is what needs to be highlighted. "Big business gets what it wants and we just gotta move outta the way"

    • @melody3741
      @melody3741 2 года назад +15

      People who say this always forget, not every single video can be earth shattering. They use smaller funner videos to break it up as well as give them time to work on more intense or even dangerous videos. Vice never changed or did anything different or “these days” its how its always been but people only remember the important videos, shockingly

    • @01jbeals
      @01jbeals 2 года назад +1

      @@melody3741 👏🏼

    • @trefoxx1
      @trefoxx1 2 года назад +2

      This does “really matter”. TF??? My beautiful black indigenous people continue to get done so wrong on ANCESTRAL LAND!!

  • @_Sugaa
    @_Sugaa 2 года назад +4

    I grew up in Mossville at my great grandma house on Earl st. right by the train tracks where the corner store was. My great grandma was known “Motha” she’s no longer with us. My grandma wasn’t going down without a fight the house was the last one to leave. We have pictures & memories. We no reside in Beaumont, TX.

  • @boxesofstuff
    @boxesofstuff 2 года назад

    so important and such a well put together doc. great job sneha :)

  • @viewtifulnovanorman9059
    @viewtifulnovanorman9059 2 года назад +17

    That police Jared guy has a really nice way of telling people that they're greedy

    • @rrrut2773
      @rrrut2773 2 года назад +6

      He was tap dancing

  • @TheNexusChan
    @TheNexusChan 2 года назад +3

    Here in South Louisiana, we are surrounded by chemical and refineries. I even work in one. But, I can't tell you how many have graveyards of what used too be there before. Mossville definitely isn't the first city to be taken over here, unfortunately.
    VPPP is another story in it's own

  • @garyhall4326
    @garyhall4326 Год назад +1

    Mr. Ronald much respect for you, Sir. Prayers for everyone effected by this. GOD BLESS!

  • @Daltargames
    @Daltargames Год назад +1

    man this blew my mind a little bit when the video started i thought it would be set i like the 70s or 80s i cant believe something lie this can happen now a days really great video and best wishes to everyone from the community.

  • @Heylyynnn
    @Heylyynnn 2 года назад +7

    I’m a descendant from one of the original founding families. My grandma is Mittie Grace White (maiden name is Prater) . I would love to have come back to the homestead and to see Prater Road but it’s almost all gone . My family helped build the town from the roads to the churches and everything in between. To think white Americas greed ruined such a beautiful rich town ❤

    • @mestizAzteca
      @mestizAzteca Год назад +1

      I came to mossville in 1989 from san diego California with my husband.
      In 2010 my husband died of cancer, he worked for one of the local refineries, my mother in law and some of her siblings also died of, or have cancer.
      I saw the community when it was alive and thriving.
      It truly is sad to know the story; but is going down in the books.

  • @rgzhaffie
    @rgzhaffie 2 года назад +6

    It was all voluntary. Everybody found.out overnight that their whole neighborhood had been declared a "heavy industrial" sacrifice zone by the local county commission. And naturally the longer you wait to sell, the faster the selling price will drop like a stone. But, hey, again, nobody forced anybody to sell! (Except when they did, ie, because of Eminent Domain rights-of-way.)

  • @ronniecotton4799
    @ronniecotton4799 Год назад +2

    When he said "growing up next to the plant you see the lights and think its pretty" and i can attest to that. It was as an adult that I learned not all states have ozone watches, and ozone day. Like, that was something we learned about and it was made fun in school. Looking back, we thought we were being Earth friendly and because it was for nature, whole time it was because we lived next to refineries. The mind games start young with these industries! Its amazing how it affects the locals and people ignore it because they don't live it.

  • @summaryjudgment
    @summaryjudgment Год назад +2

    In other countries, when oil companies upset the locals, the locals start lighting equipment on fire.
    I wonder how many hypothetical fires it would take for Sasol to make some changes? Those fences don't look very secure. A hypothetical pair of bolt cutters would give you access to all sorts of hypothetical equipment. Hypothetically...

  • @juliedavis9399
    @juliedavis9399 2 года назад +13

    This is actively happening in Mason TN. They need help spread the word!!

    • @thephoenix2176
      @thephoenix2176 Год назад

      Oh kNOw TN is ancient spiritual land/ pyramids

  • @signiturelady
    @signiturelady 2 года назад +6

    Common." It was their own decision to move." Meanwhile, their communities are being polluted with toxic waste. The politician sure picked the right career because he is lying straight thru his teeth.

  • @TheMattortola
    @TheMattortola 2 года назад +2

    I lived in Columbia Louisiana just south of Monroe for years. This story pretty much sums up every program that's "better for the town" in the whole state. But I miss those thunderstorms like no other. You take them for granted when you see them all the time. Just like everything else I reckon.

    • @briansetliff3013
      @briansetliff3013 Год назад +1

      Columbia is not north of Monroe,do you know where you live? Smh

    • @TheMattortola
      @TheMattortola Год назад

      @@briansetliff3013 what are you talking about?

  • @Stoney-Jacksman
    @Stoney-Jacksman 2 года назад +14

    Amazing content lately. The pain over injustice..just wont ever stop. This world will never be paradise.
    This will btw always keep happening as long as money buys power and buys you ways to hire people that will give you extreme power in court. So the little man, will always get screwed, over and over again.
    This is what happens when there is no belief in a soul. This is what happens when we believe in the continuing illusion of 'law'.

    • @chunlisong8521
      @chunlisong8521 2 года назад

      True. This is the sad reality. We have been taught from childhood to compete without mercy. Do whatever it takes to make it to the top. No compassion hence people grow greedy and ruthless without thinking once for the betterment of others. In the end its society's fault

    • @Stoney-Jacksman
      @Stoney-Jacksman 2 года назад +1

      @@chunlisong8521 too easy to blame it on 'the system'.
      You can still keep your own soul alive and be humane in your actions and interactions.
      Salaam.

  • @richperkins5192
    @richperkins5192 2 года назад +3

    “Sometimes you’ve got to have a little pain so you can rejoice” Amen. That’s exactly why we come here

  • @iamkellysmith
    @iamkellysmith 2 года назад +7

    This is a modern day version of the Oscarville story in Georgia. This is so sad and upsetting.

  • @samwindmill8264
    @samwindmill8264 2 года назад +9

    Oddly enough I just came from a documentary about Nicolae Ceausescu, who among many other things destroyed much of old Bucharest, Romania to make way for his ideal vision that included an absurdly grand palace, only to be violently overthrown just a few years later. Different context and reasons, but it was another case of forced displacement and annihilation of a community in a sense, where people were essentially forced to live in hastily constructed apartment buildings and even churches went under the bulldozer.

  • @tristanrodenhauser5267
    @tristanrodenhauser5267 2 года назад +2

    These people heard $150,000 for their property and saw it as a huge sun then divide it by several family members and taxes they realized they have nearly nothing to start over with because prices in other locations were high

  • @FreddyKruegerLiveReactions
    @FreddyKruegerLiveReactions 2 года назад +12

    When I was 15, I snorted my first line of coke.
    When I was 18, I tried smoking crack for the 1st time..
    I was able to maintain a job while smoking crack, it wasn't until I was 25 and tried injecting crack, that my life started to spiral out of control..
    I ended up serving several terms in Prison..
    Fortunately, I have turned my life around and am now on the straight and narrow, living a wholesome, virtuous life.
    26hrs Clean 🙏

    • @joshuaheath1009
      @joshuaheath1009 2 года назад +1

      🤟🤟you got this

    • @maggiemae7539
      @maggiemae7539 2 года назад

      Give it all to Immanuel and He will carry you through! Prayers!

    • @IndicatedGoodLife
      @IndicatedGoodLife 2 года назад +6

      Wtf is this and why is it here?

    • @doctorae724
      @doctorae724 2 года назад +2

      What the HELL does that have to do with this documentary?

  • @travelin4k317
    @travelin4k317 2 года назад +2

    Love the documentary!

  • @killercaos123
    @killercaos123 2 года назад +17

    This isn’t just particular to Louisiana, this happens all around the country

    • @mariotaz
      @mariotaz 2 года назад +3

      Oh OK, I guess that makes it all OK then.

    • @Jwilliams813
      @Jwilliams813 2 года назад

      @@mariotaz right!

    • @Jwilliams813
      @Jwilliams813 2 года назад +2

      That’s true but they are focusing on this specific community. Make a documentary about all of the other places around the world then

    • @lastshallbefirst5516
      @lastshallbefirst5516 Год назад +1

      Yes, in black areas of the country…if that’s what you mean

  • @yashsinghal1023
    @yashsinghal1023 2 года назад +7

    vice is killing it nowdays

  • @maineguitarists
    @maineguitarists 2 года назад +6

    The people of Mossville should have had a leader or spokesperson represent them. An attorney on their side before any of them sold out. In other instances all over America when people do that they get premium money sometimes three times more than the value of their property. It is sad and I don't know who the hell would want to be surrounded by all those steel erector set looking things and the noise and crap being pumped from the ground. I'm shocked in todays America with media and the ability to bring a story that this happened after the fact. Where was this woman then? Not blaming her but saying a smart attorney could have negotiated Sasol for their land and properties. To a company that large, these people should all have been able to relocate to at the very least a comparable setting, home, land etc. Actually they should have gotten a better deal. Noone wants to be uprooted from a town their parents and grand parents lived. For those that moved, keep your chin up, you wouldn't want to live there now anyway. For that guy that stayed his ground, Sasol may someday decide to use the land they purchased and he will get top dollar or more. I feel bad for him as more should have held back. I'm not trying to be an armchair quarterback just thinking while i drink my espresso. Vice has very interesting videos on topics i never hear about all over the world. Keep up the great work Vice! Our current media not only blocks news and truth but tells lies and has no shame when they are caught. I'm glad CNN is finally going down. They suck and have enabled the fool we have running our country now. Media is a powerful thing. Let the truth be told! MT

  • @tanzoniaflakes5068
    @tanzoniaflakes5068 2 года назад +4

    This makes me so sad. My family is from here. Most of my family property is under chemical drums and white rocks right now.

  • @liljroc4620
    @liljroc4620 2 года назад +4

    Ms. Nagra needs to head towards Mason, TN……The same exact thing is happening there RIGHT NOW……Exchange Ford motors for the company in question here and insert the Tennessee comptroller as the catalyst for the “much needed” “rescue” of the town……They’re trying to take that town’s official charter away. Let’s put that situation on BLAST……..

    • @ricky-sanchez
      @ricky-sanchez 2 года назад

      Ford will buy out all the people speaking out about the situation before they even get a chance to speak.

  • @kass518
    @kass518 Год назад +1

    we need more people like her! and we need Minority communities to stop believing corporations who promise a quick buck or better opportunity. START ASKING QUESTIONS and try your best to do your research!

  • @reggievandoe
    @reggievandoe Год назад +3

    Same thing happened in West Calumet Complex of East Chicago, Indiana. 12000 ppm and lead in the soil for centuries.

  • @angelsallurecabaret
    @angelsallurecabaret 2 года назад +2

    Thank you for telling this story.

  • @spirit8933
    @spirit8933 2 года назад +1

    Before I even clicked on this I knew it was my home state, Louisiana. This has me in tears

  • @christinavelazquez8931
    @christinavelazquez8931 2 года назад +3

    Good reporting! I remember a civil action, Erin brockovich. Remember what happened to that poor woman in Oklahoma, Karen Silkwood? Be careful! 🙏👍💖😥✌️🌹 There are people big corporations who will try to silence 🤐 u!

  • @alirott2271
    @alirott2271 2 года назад +11

    Would love to see these politicians financial standings BEFORE and AFTER the deals were finalized..
    🧐

  • @marcosluna7792
    @marcosluna7792 2 года назад +2

    This was a good one @VICE

  • @kaylorado
    @kaylorado 2 года назад +2

    Great documentary Vice

  • @sicklytwiztd1152
    @sicklytwiztd1152 Год назад +3

    THIS IS SLOWLY HAPPENING in our small rural town. I see it. I feel it and SOME THIN IS NOT RIGHT!

  • @zackery72
    @zackery72 2 года назад +3

    I used to live in the area I left as soon as they broke ground. It’s so weird to me how they were paying for all the surround cities high schoolers to take exams to get their safety cards were only a fraction of them was going to work for them. It disgusting to me how the council allowed this to happen and framed it as a choice putting an industry before taking care of your people is a choice but forcing them out is not their choice.

  • @eustatic3832
    @eustatic3832 2 года назад +3

    Sasol didn't know how to build in wetlands, and spent 6 to 8 billion dollars over budget to build the plants. They went through 3 CEOs during construction

    • @ricky-sanchez
      @ricky-sanchez 2 года назад +2

      I don't think their intent was to build a functional factory. I think they had more devious ambitions in mind.

  • @djdoemoney
    @djdoemoney Год назад +2

    I’ve worked in different chemical plants and dude saying that it’s mostly steam is a bunch of bs, where do you think the waste goes? You think it doesn’t produce waste? And how does the company truly help the Louisiana people? Especially if the people have all left the area?

  • @truthhurts3524
    @truthhurts3524 Год назад

    Great video, more people need to see this. A tad jealous over that thunderstorm near the end though.

  • @sandrashevel2137
    @sandrashevel2137 2 года назад +5

    This is so sad. Thank you for putting this up for all to see

  • @bargaingoldandsilver
    @bargaingoldandsilver 2 года назад +6

    Those wise words at the end wow

  • @mindyhenderson7627
    @mindyhenderson7627 2 года назад +1

    I still can pass and remember where our street was. I was a kid when the first buyout happened now that I'm an adult we should have fought for more than money. We should have fought for free health care We have lost so many to cancer

  • @MrIgnid
    @MrIgnid 9 месяцев назад

    I grew up there and my mother still has land right across the street and they offered her 5k for it. Not to mention they changed the zone to industrial so now we can’t do anything with at all except pay taxes to keep it.

  • @LeviOArts
    @LeviOArts 2 года назад +3

    This reminds me so much of what happened to Gary, IN though it's not quite exactly the same.

  • @Kradle
    @Kradle 2 года назад +9

    Jesus christ. This is heartbreaking. My heart goes to the people of Mossville

  • @Mrblackjoker472
    @Mrblackjoker472 2 года назад +2

    I always ask my grandma what happened to Mossville and she tell me the story and the recordings of the town and what was happening

  • @chriscitizen5457
    @chriscitizen5457 5 месяцев назад

    I'm from Mossville lived by VCM plant. We use to play football on the grassy area in front of the plant as kids. Now that area no longer exist.

  • @thanksforstoppingby
    @thanksforstoppingby 2 года назад +6

    Thanks vice for another eye opening look into corporate greed.

  • @drewferd2720
    @drewferd2720 2 года назад +4

    This is what happens when elites have no punishment for inhumane corporate corruption

    • @drewferd2720
      @drewferd2720 2 года назад

      This was 100 percent an attempt to erase a successful black community no doubt about it

  • @BryceBoudreauxMMAAnnouncer
    @BryceBoudreauxMMAAnnouncer 7 месяцев назад

    UNBELIEVABLE!
    This is in my city!
    My father is a contractor at this plant!

  • @14february35
    @14february35 2 года назад +1

    i'm from south africa , thanks vice for the information u giving out ....

  • @420boxingnetwork7
    @420boxingnetwork7 2 года назад +5

    This is crazy! 😲

  • @thebearszn
    @thebearszn 2 года назад +5

    The former county commissioner/police juror is either blind and dumb (which I know he isn't) or just blatantly dismissive of the plight of the black community (which is clearly racist).

  • @janetmcdonald2572
    @janetmcdonald2572 2 года назад +1

    Just gut wrenching. As populations are moving to rural communities it only becomes more heartbreaking knowing an amazing place like this is not there to go back to or call home.

  • @jasonyoung3070
    @jasonyoung3070 Год назад +2

    man this is so sad but sadly cooperation's have more rights then we actual ppl ! Its time for a change we need to start treating each other with respect and regulate big businesses

  • @SquizzMe
    @SquizzMe 2 года назад +4

    "And then I think about the goodness of God."
    Such humility.

  • @bargaingoldandsilver
    @bargaingoldandsilver 2 года назад +7

    This is sick

  • @sunshinesunflowerz1647
    @sunshinesunflowerz1647 Год назад +1

    Mossville, La and Gary, IN; Toledo, OH and Detroit, MI exhibit the same fate. These cities were once very thriving! It was all for GREED. These people in these businesses know what they're doing and why they're doing it.