Eight Horrifying Examples of Corporations Mistreating Black Communities with Environmental Racism
Atlanta Black Star
Nick Chiles
2/12/2015
"What exactly is environmental racism? It’s a policy or practice that differentially affects or disadvantages (intentionally or unintentionally) individuals, groups or communities because of their race and/or class. It has been well-documented around the world that environmental hazards often impact poor communities and communities of color disproportionately. Three out of every five African-Americans living well below the poverty line are also living in areas situated close to toxic waste sites, according to the federal government’s General Accounting Office. Living near these dangerous facilities has significant impacts on all aspects of their lives. Their air, water and food can all be affected; noise pollution and vibrations become a problem; the awful stench permeates everything; schools, workplaces and homes become unsafe places; and a multitude of different health effects can result."
The above paragraph is the opening for what was yet another disturbing look at how marginalized communities continue to be affected by cruelty and injustice.The horrifying examples provided in the article lead to incredible thought and discussion towards the poor treatment of human beings and the lack of support that vulnerable communities have received from the government. I do not have to look very far, living in San Francisco, to see environmental racism. The Hunters Point area was for years considered a waste zone and yet it housed many individuals who relied on government housing for themselves and their families. Richmond, CA was an example by Chiles and the long-term health effects experienced by the residents of the area proved that close proximity can be a very bad thing since many of the residents developed respiratory issues due to the poor air quality.
It was hard to see that larger communities abroad are affected and that they receive absolutely no support because global institutions like the World Bank have determined that it's in the best interest of the elite (we are the elite in this case). When considering social determinants I cannot help but think about the obvious fact that we as a species are responsible for our own demise, for our own misfortunes and while major effects have been the result of capitalist greed the truth of the matter is that as misinformed consumers we too (because we are all privileged in our own way) have a responsibility to act and right now we are not doing enough. This article reminded me of the video presentation by Naomi Klein on the concept of "other-ing in the warming world," and that it is the same behavior that causes us to not consider the lives of others in relation to the production of our own goods that is going to cause our coastal cities to be under water one day.
The same responsibility that I have to people of Richmond CA, is the same responsibility that the whole United States has to the people of Durban. What I found to be really important when reviewing the article and my feelings afterwards was that there has to be consistent work across the board. In the United States we are really lucky that agencies and foundations exist in order to provide support to individuals and communities at-risk and who fall prey to corporate mishandling- we just have to speak up and fight for them. The same goes for people and communities outside of the United States- we have to fight for them! Environmental racism will continue to be a problem because there will always be an "other" there will always be those who will just "have to deal" with the card that they were dealt-but it does not have to.
There can be change, there can be improvement in the health outcomes of individuals who reside in these hazardous zones, and there can be hope that one day one racial group won't be targeted and treated as second-class and non-human. The cruelty experienced is one that is dealt with because of the social structure that is in place. People need a place to live, they need jobs, they need to provide for themselves and their families, and it is in getting the basics taken care of that the opportunity for change is lost. Many people do not see injustice, and if they do, they're too tired from just trying to stay afloat to do something about it. Communities who reside in these zones, and who deal with these environmental stressors on a daily basis need support from those who are fortunate enough to acknowledge their own carbon footprint. After-all, we all walk together and in turn are susceptible to the same misfortunes when it comes to our global environment.
Link to Article: LINK
Miguel, I found this article on racism and the environment very true these days, especially in this political climate. One clear example of institutional racism and the environment is the case in Flint, Michigan with the water supply having high levels of lead. It took years of investigation despite the cover ups and the huge push back from our own government for Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha to be able to tell the public, we are poisoning and killing the poor with lead. It is scary that our own government allowed this to happen, but of course it happened because Flint has a population of 57% who are black. Race has everything to do with whether a community gets resources or it doesn't. Flint was no exception. If Flint would have been an all white or majority white city, there would have been an outcry and an immediate investigation but because it was a black neighborhood and filled with poor people, the government wanted to keep hush-hush. It is sad that our country is still like this and that we care little about our citizens especially if they are people of color. This is why we must politically vote for people of color who serve in the interest of those populations. The traditional politicians won't care because they will go on as business as usual, because it has nothing to do with people who don't look like them. Our country needs to realize that we need to care for everyone despite any factor, only then will we progress as a nation everyone is entitled to health equity.
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