Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes
I saw the image below on Instagram when @inequalityopoly reposted from @willwrights. The graphic was created by the artist @kimmietorgerson and was originally captioned, "To learn more, I suggest starting with the Father of Environmental Justice - Dr. Robert Bullard. drrobertbullard.com"
I saw the image below on Instagram when @inequalityopoly reposted from @willwrights. The graphic was created by the artist @kimmietorgerson and was originally captioned, "To learn more, I suggest starting with the Father of Environmental Justice - Dr. Robert Bullard. drrobertbullard.com"
Image Text:
“RACE IS THE NUMBER ONE INDICATOR FOR THE PLACEMENT OF TOXIC FACILITIES IN THE UNITED STATES.
Disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of color + low-income communities, particularly in black neighborhoods
Industrial Polluters
“RACE IS THE NUMBER ONE INDICATOR FOR THE PLACEMENT OF TOXIC FACILITIES IN THE UNITED STATES.
Disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of color + low-income communities, particularly in black neighborhoods
Industrial Polluters
TOXIC WASTE DUMPS
LANDFILLS
CHEMICAL FACILITIES
TRASH INCINERATORS
COAL PLANTS
FACTORY FARMS
Toxic facilities emit mercury, arsenic, lead, and other contaminants into the water, food + lungs of communities
Health Risks
Toxic facilities emit mercury, arsenic, lead, and other contaminants into the water, food + lungs of communities
Health Risks
ASTHMA
CANCER
REPRODUCTIVE HARM
OBESITY
DIABETES HEART DISEASE
DEVELOPMENTAL HARM
Food Deserts: Geographic areas where residents access to affordable, healthy food options especially fresh fruits and vegetables is restricted or nonexistent due to the absence of grocery stores within convenient travelling distance”
I am continuing in the systemic racism series here on the Broadening the Narrative blog. To learn more about this series, you can read the first ten posts on the BtN blog. I am learning and sharing as a learner, not as a teacher or an expert. Today’s post addresses environmental racism. I will include the data and history behind the current disparities, provide action steps, and link recommended resources for further exploration and education.
Data
Let’s look at the data for environmental racism.
In the Al Jazeera article “Black Lives Matter Protests Spotlight Environmental Racism,” Ben Piven reported, “African Americans are three times more likely to die from exposure to small particle air pollution than the general population, according to a 2017 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Communities of colour in the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the US breathe 66 percent more vehicle pollution than white Americans, a study by the Union of Concerned Scientists found. And surveys by the National Institutes of Health have also found that asthma and lead poisoning rates are also much higher among African American children in the US than white children. Scientists warn that climate change will further exacerbate - and layer onto - these pre-existing inequities. Studies have shown that climate change increases water and air pollution, which can worsen respiratory illnesses like asthma.”
Food Deserts: Geographic areas where residents access to affordable, healthy food options especially fresh fruits and vegetables is restricted or nonexistent due to the absence of grocery stores within convenient travelling distance”
I am continuing in the systemic racism series here on the Broadening the Narrative blog. To learn more about this series, you can read the first ten posts on the BtN blog. I am learning and sharing as a learner, not as a teacher or an expert. Today’s post addresses environmental racism. I will include the data and history behind the current disparities, provide action steps, and link recommended resources for further exploration and education.
Data
Let’s look at the data for environmental racism.
In the Al Jazeera article “Black Lives Matter Protests Spotlight Environmental Racism,” Ben Piven reported, “African Americans are three times more likely to die from exposure to small particle air pollution than the general population, according to a 2017 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Communities of colour in the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the US breathe 66 percent more vehicle pollution than white Americans, a study by the Union of Concerned Scientists found. And surveys by the National Institutes of Health have also found that asthma and lead poisoning rates are also much higher among African American children in the US than white children. Scientists warn that climate change will further exacerbate - and layer onto - these pre-existing inequities. Studies have shown that climate change increases water and air pollution, which can worsen respiratory illnesses like asthma.”
I saw the above image on Instagram when @inequalityopoly reposted from @vineyardarts who reposted from @futureearth. It was originally captioned: “These are only 5 examples of how people and places become sacrifice zones: sacrificial land and sacrificial lungs. ‘In North America, these are overwhelmingly communities of color, Black and Latino, forced to carry the toxic burden of our collective addiction to fossil fuels, with markedly higher rates of respiratory illnesses and cancers.’ - Naomi Klein, Let Them Drown”
Subsequent images with this post on Instagram reveal:
“Los Angeles - largest urban oil field in the USA in Black and Latinx neighborhoods”
“Isle de Jean Charles - oil extraction and land degradation led to pollution, flooding, and erosion; native tribe became the country's first climate refugees”
“Cancer Alley - the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to New Orleans; correlation between locations of heavy industry, oil extraction and refining - with high cancer rates among the people who live there”
“Flint - has been in a water crisis since April 2014”
“Detroit - 48217 is the most polluted zip code [in Michigan]; it's population is 80% Black”
“Dakota Access Pipeline and Mountain Valley & Atlantic Coast Pipelines - routes are strategically planned through Indigenous lands and poor communities because people have less power to stop them; pipelines that carry oil and gas contaminate land and water”
History
Environmental injustice against communities where the residents are people of color and/or poor is a part of the past and present in the United States. Privileged communities don’t have to worry about if the drinking water is safe for consumption. Renee Skelton and Vernice Miller for The Natural Resources Defense Council explained in “The Environmental Justice Movement” details of the roots of the Environmental Justice Movement, referencing the experiences of residents in Warren County, NC, California's San Joaquin valley, Houston, TX, and West Harlem, in New York City. The Environmental Protection Agency’s website has an Environmental Justice Timeline that begins with the Memphis Sanitation Strike in February 1968 and moves chronologically through events that demonstrate environmental injustice. Reading the progression from one event to the next allows us to see the connectedness of the past to the present.
Nina Lakhani wrote in The Guardian article “'Heat Islands': Racist Housing Policies in US Linked to Deadly Heatwave Exposure,” “Heatwaves have been occurring more frequently since the mid-20th century, and are expected to become more common, more severe and longer-lasting due to the climate crisis. However, exposure to extreme heat is unequal: temperatures in different neighborhoods within the same city can vary by 20F. It is mostly lower-income households and communities of color who live in these urban ‘heat islands’ which have historically had fewer green spaces and tree canopy, and more concrete and pavements and thus are less equipped to cope with the mounting effects of global heating...This new study examined the link between historic ‘redlining’ and current heat islands.”
In the New York Times article “Climate Change Tied to Pregnancy Risks, Affecting Black Mothers Most,” Christopher Flavelle expounded on this by writing, “Pregnant women exposed to high temperatures or air pollution are more likely to have children who are premature, underweight or stillborn, and African-American mothers and babies are harmed at a much higher rate than the population at large, according to sweeping new research examining more than 32 million births in the United States. The research adds to a growing body of evidence that minorities bear a disproportionate share of the danger from pollution and global warming. Not only are minority communities in the United States far more likely to be hotter than the surrounding areas, a phenomenon known as the ‘heat island’ effect, but they are also more likely to be located near polluting industries.”
Action Steps
Complete additional research on the topic of systemic racism in the environment. There are numerous examples I did not address. I will link additional resources at the end of the post.
Have action that follows your research and reflection.
-Write, email, call, and tag representatives and others in local, state, and federal political positions. Support policies at every level of government that will end environmental racism and address climate change.
In the Al Jazeera article “Black Lives Matter Protests Spotlight Environmental Racism” referenced in the beginning, Ben Piven wrote about a conversation with Rachel Rivera. “‘A lot of people are not realising, with climate change and everything else going on, that the worst-hit are Black and brown communities,’ New York City resident and activist Rachel Rivera told Al Jazeera. For Rivera, a mother of six who works with the grassroots nonprofit New York Communities for Change (NYCC), these inequalities are not simply close to home, they are woven through the environment where she lives, works and raises her family. ‘My six-year-old daughter suffers from respiratory seizures when it's too hot or too cold,’ said Rivera. ‘It's for real. It saddens me but affects all of us.’ When Superstorm Sandy happened in 2012, Rivera's apartment building sustained major roof damage from the strong wind and torrential rain. She said her 14-year-old daughter still becomes intensely anxious during severe weather events. ‘It's a nightmare, and if we continue like this, we're going to have more Hurricane Sandies,’ Rivera said. ‘We need to stop using fossil fuels, recycle, and use green energy,’ she said. ‘We could actually make a difference.’"
-Donate to organizations like 350.org and Dig Deep. There is a list of additional Environmental Justice Groups at the end of the article “Intersectional Environmentalism: Why Environmental Justice Is Essential For A Sustainable Future” by Leah Thomas.
Vote, show up, and engage in meaningful ways to dismantle systems of oppression. Do all of this under the leadership of Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian, and Pacific Islander People of Color.
What to Expect in Future Posts
History
Environmental injustice against communities where the residents are people of color and/or poor is a part of the past and present in the United States. Privileged communities don’t have to worry about if the drinking water is safe for consumption. Renee Skelton and Vernice Miller for The Natural Resources Defense Council explained in “The Environmental Justice Movement” details of the roots of the Environmental Justice Movement, referencing the experiences of residents in Warren County, NC, California's San Joaquin valley, Houston, TX, and West Harlem, in New York City. The Environmental Protection Agency’s website has an Environmental Justice Timeline that begins with the Memphis Sanitation Strike in February 1968 and moves chronologically through events that demonstrate environmental injustice. Reading the progression from one event to the next allows us to see the connectedness of the past to the present.
Nina Lakhani wrote in The Guardian article “'Heat Islands': Racist Housing Policies in US Linked to Deadly Heatwave Exposure,” “Heatwaves have been occurring more frequently since the mid-20th century, and are expected to become more common, more severe and longer-lasting due to the climate crisis. However, exposure to extreme heat is unequal: temperatures in different neighborhoods within the same city can vary by 20F. It is mostly lower-income households and communities of color who live in these urban ‘heat islands’ which have historically had fewer green spaces and tree canopy, and more concrete and pavements and thus are less equipped to cope with the mounting effects of global heating...This new study examined the link between historic ‘redlining’ and current heat islands.”
In the New York Times article “Climate Change Tied to Pregnancy Risks, Affecting Black Mothers Most,” Christopher Flavelle expounded on this by writing, “Pregnant women exposed to high temperatures or air pollution are more likely to have children who are premature, underweight or stillborn, and African-American mothers and babies are harmed at a much higher rate than the population at large, according to sweeping new research examining more than 32 million births in the United States. The research adds to a growing body of evidence that minorities bear a disproportionate share of the danger from pollution and global warming. Not only are minority communities in the United States far more likely to be hotter than the surrounding areas, a phenomenon known as the ‘heat island’ effect, but they are also more likely to be located near polluting industries.”
Action Steps
Complete additional research on the topic of systemic racism in the environment. There are numerous examples I did not address. I will link additional resources at the end of the post.
Have action that follows your research and reflection.
-Write, email, call, and tag representatives and others in local, state, and federal political positions. Support policies at every level of government that will end environmental racism and address climate change.
In the Al Jazeera article “Black Lives Matter Protests Spotlight Environmental Racism” referenced in the beginning, Ben Piven wrote about a conversation with Rachel Rivera. “‘A lot of people are not realising, with climate change and everything else going on, that the worst-hit are Black and brown communities,’ New York City resident and activist Rachel Rivera told Al Jazeera. For Rivera, a mother of six who works with the grassroots nonprofit New York Communities for Change (NYCC), these inequalities are not simply close to home, they are woven through the environment where she lives, works and raises her family. ‘My six-year-old daughter suffers from respiratory seizures when it's too hot or too cold,’ said Rivera. ‘It's for real. It saddens me but affects all of us.’ When Superstorm Sandy happened in 2012, Rivera's apartment building sustained major roof damage from the strong wind and torrential rain. She said her 14-year-old daughter still becomes intensely anxious during severe weather events. ‘It's a nightmare, and if we continue like this, we're going to have more Hurricane Sandies,’ Rivera said. ‘We need to stop using fossil fuels, recycle, and use green energy,’ she said. ‘We could actually make a difference.’"
-Donate to organizations like 350.org and Dig Deep. There is a list of additional Environmental Justice Groups at the end of the article “Intersectional Environmentalism: Why Environmental Justice Is Essential For A Sustainable Future” by Leah Thomas.
Vote, show up, and engage in meaningful ways to dismantle systems of oppression. Do all of this under the leadership of Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian, and Pacific Islander People of Color.
What to Expect in Future Posts
At this time, I plan to address systemic racism as seen in the media, the military, politics, and the Christian church in future posts. I will give action steps for myself and readers and provide additional resources.
As I look at the Equal Justice Initiative calendar and read it to my kids, I see that every single day conveys at least one injustice, usually based on race. These are past and present injustices, spanning hundreds of years, demonstrating that racism in this country is not simply an individual problem. Rather, racism is a systemic problem, infecting institutions and structures. Further, this problem centers around justice, therefore it's a problem Godde is concerned about, which means I must be concerned. In my opinion, systemic racism is not solely a political issue but also a spiritual issue. I am called to love my neighbor, and one way I can do this is by joining the fight to dismantle systems of oppression so that all people can flourish.
(Resources are linked below.)
Videos to View
Podcasts (for your listening pleasure and discomfort)
Green Dreamer “Harriet A. Washington of a Terrible Thing to Waste [PART 1]: How Environmental Racism Persists Through De Facto Segregation”
Articles
“'America's Dirty Little Secret': The Texas Town That Has Been Without Running Water for Decades” by Oliver Milman
“Early Results from 174 Flint Children Exposed to Lead During Water Crisis Shows 80% of Them Will Require Special Education Services” by Sharyn Alfonsi
“Flint’s Water Crisis Started 5 Years Ago. It’s Not Over” by Mitch Smith, Julie Bosman, and Monica Davey
“It’s Not Just Flint: Poor Communities Across the Country Live With ‘Extreme’ Polluters” by Chris Mooney
“Lowndes County, Ala.: The Place God Forgot” by Michael Harriot
“Navajo Nation Residents Face Coronavirus Without Running Water” by Grace Baek
“Navajo Nation Residents Face Coronavirus Without Running Water” by Grace Baek
“Pollution is Killing Black Americans. This Community Fought Back” by Linda Villarosa
“The Conflicts Along 1,172 Miles of the Dakota Access Pipeline” by Gregor Aisch and K.K. Rebecca Lai
“Toxic Wastes and Race In The United States: A National Report on the Racial and Socio-Economic Characteristics of Communities with Hazardous Waste Sites” 1987 Report by the United Church of Christ Commission for Racial Justice
“While One Louisiana Town's Lead-Tainted Water System Is Replaced, Dozens of Others Deteriorate” by Julie Dermansky
Books
A Terrible Thing to Waste: Environmental Racism and Its Assault on the American Mind by Harriet A. Washington
Native by Kaitlin Curtice
The Very Good Gospel by Lisa Sharon Harper (Chapter 7 “Shalom and Creation”)
Music (that may make you uncomfortable)
“Long Live the Champion” by KB feat. Yariel and GabrielRodriguezEMC
“Fan Mail” by Micah Bournes feat. Propaganda
“A Time Like This” by Micah Bournes
“Too Much?” by Micah Bournes
“Land of the Free” by Joey Bada$$
“Cynical” by Propaganda feat. Aaron Marsh and Sho Baraka
#systemicracism #racismissystemic #racism #prejudicepluspower #dismantlewhitesupremacy #endracism #endracismnow #antiracism #antiracist #becomingantiracist #beingantiracist #environmentalracism #environmentaljustice #politics #policies #justice #loveyourneighbor #seekjustice #restorativejustice #transformativejustice #socialjustice #facethepast #healthefuture #equality #vote #showup #blog #blogger #challengethenarrative #broadeningthenarrative
Books
A Terrible Thing to Waste: Environmental Racism and Its Assault on the American Mind by Harriet A. Washington
Native by Kaitlin Curtice
The Very Good Gospel by Lisa Sharon Harper (Chapter 7 “Shalom and Creation”)
Music (that may make you uncomfortable)
“Long Live the Champion” by KB feat. Yariel and GabrielRodriguezEMC
“Fan Mail” by Micah Bournes feat. Propaganda
“A Time Like This” by Micah Bournes
“Too Much?” by Micah Bournes
“Land of the Free” by Joey Bada$$
“Cynical” by Propaganda feat. Aaron Marsh and Sho Baraka
#systemicracism #racismissystemic #racism #prejudicepluspower #dismantlewhitesupremacy #endracism #endracismnow #antiracism #antiracist #becomingantiracist #beingantiracist #environmentalracism #environmentaljustice #politics #policies #justice #loveyourneighbor #seekjustice #restorativejustice #transformativejustice #socialjustice #facethepast #healthefuture #equality #vote #showup #blog #blogger #challengethenarrative #broadeningthenarrative
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