Environmental Racism

A Factor of Racial Injustice

The term "environmental racism" refers to how neighboorhods of color (typically low income) are often "burdened with a disproportionate number of hazards, including toxic waste facilities, garbage dumps,and other sources of environmental pollution" which lead to various health complications and a reduced quality of life (Lumen Learning).The informal definition of enviornmental racism is that certain communities especially those of color are often affected by much higher levels of enviornmental risks.

Image taken from NY Times

Why is this Important?

Political carton on socialeconomic issues

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A portion of people are exposed to dangerous health risks that are due to the pollution and unsafe nature of their enviornment. Some of these health complications include asthma, exposure to particulate-matter, and lung cancer. Those who are largely affected by these health issues are also the least likely to be able to seek or affoard any medical care. This can also be seen by toxic waste dumps on native land, contaiminated water in low income communities, and asbestos exposure in low income houses. This type of racism has been occuring behind-the-scenes with wealthy legislators quietly passing policies and laws that allow harmful industrial structures (like oil rigs or chemical plants) to be disproportionately in these areas that lack institutional power.

Image taken from Alamy.

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Girls Who Code, Bay Area : Cadence, Session 2, 2020

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