Taking a Look at Environmental Racism - 1357 Words

Did you know that 35 out of 57 waste sites in the eastern part of Los Angeles were located in zip codes with at least half the population consisting of Latinos? (Pulido 21) This is a direct and apparent representation of environmental racism in our country. In particular, its existence could be closely observed in the recent dispute of an urban farmland in South Central Los Angeles. Frankly, environmental racism had little effect on the actual dissolution of the South Central farm, as it was an issue of property rights. Instead, environmental racism played a significant role in the confrontation process that led to the closure by excluding minority groups, especially Latinos, from decision processes and obstructing their effort to conserve the farmland. Twenty-five years ago, the city of Los Angeles obtained the South Central farmland under eminent domain with the intention of building a waste incinerator. While this project failed to proceed, 400 community members were given the permission to farm the land. It provided a lot of support to the community, which is inhabited mostly by low-income minorities. While aiding the farmers themselves, it also brought monetary and psychological benefits to the neighborhood. Suing the city for not utilizing the land as a public good, Ralph Horowitz, the original owner, successfully recouped the property in 2006, which threatened the existence of the garden. Farmers were forcefully moved out of the property and the South Central FarmShow MoreRelatedRacism and Social Injustice Essay1270 Words   |  6 Pagesthe racial environment is changing. Environmental pollution and racism are connected in more ways than one. The world is unconsciously aware of environmental intolerances, yet continues to e xpose the poor and minorities to physical hazards. Furthermore, sociologist continue to study â€Å"whether racial disparities are largely a function of socioeconomic disparities or whether other factors associated with race are also related to the distribution of environmental hazards† (Mohai and Saha 2007: 345).Read MoreJohn Muir and the Environmental Conservation Movement Essay1248 Words   |  5 Pagesnineteenth and early twentieth centuries and the environmental movement which came about after 1950 had symbolic and ideological relationships, but were quite different in their social roots and objectives. A clear point is that especially in the beginning, only the elite, wealthy class, had time left to think and enjoy nature and joined the environmental movement organizations. It was born out a movement of amateurs. The organizations of the environmental movement viewed natural resources such as waterRead MoreRacial Justice Of The United Church Of Christ1363 Words   |  6 PagesEnvironmental racism is the â€Å"targeting of minorities and low-income communities to bear a disproportionate share of environmental costs. It refers to any policy or practice that differently affects or disadvantages individuals, groups or communities based on race or skin color† (Schill Austin 1991). Pollution is disproportionately distributed across the country; it is also distributed unequally within individual states, within counties, and within cities (Schill Austin 1991). Hazardous wasteRead MoreThe State Of The Dakota Access Pipeline Essay1721 Words   |  7 Pagesthe pipeline (â€Å"Protests Over The Dakota Access Pipeline†). The protests have stopped, due to the battle over the construction of this pipeline is switching from the reservation to court (Richardson). Most recently, President Barack Obama decided to look for other routes for the project on Dec. 5, and to halt the constriction of the pipeline for the time being (Richardson). Overall, the conclusion of the pipeline on whether it will be built or not is unknown. President-elect Donald Trump declined toRead MoreEthnic Relations1177 Words   |  5 Pagesballot in favor of the democrats. This ultimately led to a chain reaction. With this new policy taking place, native-born citizens were becoming ethnically cleansed (Roberts 2). Many of us may view immigrants as contributors to the diverse melting pot, but the melting pot is out of the question when countless new immigrants have higher statuses than those of native-born citizens! The U.S. keeps taking 1.2 million immigrants annually, but keep in mind that most of the immigrants that enter, areRea d MoreAnalysis Of Katherine Mckittrick s The Transatlantic Slave And Transatlantic Slavery 1740 Words   |  7 Pageswhere history has been made when it comes to racialized bodies. There are negative impacts that people have been suffering with due to colonialism, racism, and violence. Unfortunately, there are people who are choosing either to forget about history or ignore the major incidents that people of other races were subjected to. It is interesting how when you look closer at history it provides a clear explanation about issues that have been happening in today’s world. Katherine McKittrick’s article goes backRead MoreRacism in Our Society Essay examples1068 Words   |  5 PagesRacism in Our Society Race relations are becoming increasingly important in our civilization. Despite this increasing importance, the question, Is our society racist? is commonly debated. After investigating this subject, it is evident to me that American society is racist. There are various definitions of both racism and society. It is important to clearly define these terms when addressing such a controversial and emotional issue. Racism is defined by Merriam-Webster as a beliefRead MoreRacial Racism : Black And White Americans1484 Words   |  6 PagesThere are many layers to American racism. I will break it down to 3 layers and explain the consequences these types of racism have. The first lay is historical racism. Historical racism is what most stereotypes what racism is suppose to be. In this category you would think of things such as lynching, the enslaved people working the fields, use of the word nigger, segregation and Jim Crow laws but that isn’t even the start of it. The first step to successfully enslave a people is to â€Å"keep the mindRead MoreWhite Privilege : A Crime America Pays For1635 Words   |  7 Pagesof us do not recognize this the privilege that comes with being white in society. We go on everyday taking advanta ge of other races by being white without even knowing it. Whether it is housing, education, jobs, the list goes on and on. Just like Tim Wise states in his video, is the idea we as white Americans are blind to the fact and in denial we have an advantage compared to any of race. We look at ourselves as everyone else and have zero privileges like everyone else. The family, the educationRead MoreThe Health Of Children : Is It Caused By Genetics Or One s Personal Lifestyle? Essay1640 Words   |  7 Pagesissues which are the racism and poverty going on in Flint. If looked at solely from the downstream approach of health then it could be said that these people living in this city should move or get better water filters in their houses, but the case is that most of the residents are unable to move. The water crisis requires more than just a downstream outlook on the situation because other factors play into it. As Fuentes-George states the water crisis illustrates how â€Å"deeply rac ism has affected the social