User:Kaileesmyth/Environmental racism

Many people understand the concept of racism and the global effect it continues to have, but not as widely understood is environmental racism and furthermore its' consequences. Environmental racism is defined as the unequal burden of environmental hazards placed on people of color. Within the United States, environmental racism usually refers to the discrepancy between environmental injustices between urban and suburban areas following white flight. However, internationally it refers to the impact of the global waste trade, for example disposing waste in less developed countries. On the surface the term doesn't sound nearly as negative as general racism does, however it is a far-reaching idea stemming from government regulations. These regulations intentionally target specific neighborhoods for unwanted land uses and lenient environmental laws which leads to communities of color being taxed with disproportionate toxic waste exposure. Remedying the issue is of urgent importance, but unfortunately it is a multi-layered problem. Environmental racism is a result of many factors such as "intentional neglect", the belief that there needs to be a designated space for urban pollutants, and a deficiency in institutional power among people of color. Additionally, government and large corporations seek cheap land, and likewise impoverished (often those of color) individuals cannot compete with such organizations to demand just costs. This leads to those same individuals in a powerless position with little change or mobility. Though it is clearly a difficult problem to resolve given its' deep-seeded complexity, there are many people working to make strides toward achieving environmental justice including The Environmental Justice (EJ) Movement.

Though environmental racism exists worldwide, there are some examples that are more harmful and offensive than others. One such example is a location nicknamed Cancer Alley beside the Mississippi River bordering New Orleans and Baton Rouge which is home to primarily black individuals. The area is occupied by oil refineries and petrochemical plants, and received its title because citizens of Cancer Alley's odds of developing cancer are 50 times that of the average American's. The clear severity of this form of environmental racism is why Cancer Alley is regarded as "the frontline of environmental racism", and has even been described as a new, modern slavery. Another extreme case of environmental racism is the Glades in Pahokee, Florida. Residents in the community (in which are predominately poor, black individuals) experience "black snow", a thick soot that permeates the region as a consequence of sugar burning. A 2015 study found that community members of the Glades exposed to sugar burning pollution suffer from higher levels of respiratory discomfort, compromised immune function, and an increase in asthma prevalence. These are just two examples in a list of many of how environmental racism is very real and can have life-altering health ramifications.

The EJ Movement launched in the 1960s when people of color began pushing back against environmental racism. The Movement has sought to extend the focus of the term "environment" beyond merely the protection of natural resources, but also to "where we live, work, play, and learn". Despite having started exclusively by people of color, the movement has expanded across races and generations. It is an internationally recognized movement encouraging environmental justice by acknowledging the relationship between economic, environmental, and health issues while also demanding a clean, safe living and working environment. Another defining feature that promotes environmental racism political involvement. Laws will continue to ignore the wishes of minority populations if the concern is never raised in political matters. In fact, political involvement in African American communities is associated with decreased health risks and mortality. Such environmental activism is integral for positive changes to be made, but the fact that the movement was created so many years ago and is still needed is discouraging. Greater awareness needs to be brought to environmental racism and affected populations, because otherwise the concept and associated radical injustices will be perpetuated.