Since the beginning of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, the word “Environmental Racism” has been floating around. The term was first coined in 1982 by Benjamin Chavis, a civil rights leader who assisted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Warren County in North Carolina at one point was essentially used as a trash can for PCB waste, thus the birth of word. By definition, Environmental racism is “the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of color. ” It can be done through radical policy. Governmental methods such as redlining and color blind adaptation planning, lead to a lack of political representation/support for communities.
Specific cases
New Orleans, Louisiana: A majority of black Americans living in New Orleans prior to Hurricane Katrina resided in lower-lying areas that were vulnerable to flooding, due to the racial segregation of neighborhoods. Evacuation strategies during hurricane Katrina favored those who owned cars, however a large portion(100,000) of minorities living in New Orleans relied on public transit. This outcome lead to several of the deaths at the time.
Wilmington, North Carolina: NC is home of several coal ash pits that carry up to 111 million tons of waste generated by coal plants. Large lagoons that are filled swine and poultry are located in beach front districts that are predominantly African-American. One case study concluded that these “hog farm” dump areas were effecting the livelihood of individuals drastically.
Hog farm in North Carolina
South Lawndale, Chicago: Coal plants create similar problems in Chicago according to a report.
Latino communities like South Lawndale( Little Village) primarily have working-class citizens. The need for environmental protection is dire. The threat of gentrification is a huge concern for Little Village members, as activist and citizens continue to fight for security.
Native American reservations: The Trail of Tears and the Indian Removal Act of 1830 are the earliest acts of marginalization on an environmental level. During the 1850’s, a large sum of tribes were forced to move west were the land was essentially useless for its dryness and remoteness. More recently, activist are fighting against the Nebraska Access Pipeline. The pipeline remains controversial because it interferes with a section of the Missouri river, a water source for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
Activism against Environmental Racism
In the past, civil rights groups orchestrated rallies in order to bring attention to environmental injustice in black and brown communities. Young Lords Organization, a Puerto Rican revolutionary nationalist organization, fought against toxic and pollution disposal with their Garbage Offensive Program. It advocated for searching for more open space for waste, cleaner food options, including programs that helped those with environmental related diseases like tuberculosis. Furthermore, other activism cases included people like Ceasar Chavez pushed for for secure health insurance for people living San Joaquin Valley in California. Many people in the area were affected by pesticides.
It’s healthy we address these issues pertaining to Environmental racism because it can often get lost in the discussion. Many POC communities are at a disadvantage economically, however attention towards their environmental needs is just as important.