Environmental Racism Unequal Distribution of Term Paper

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 1050 words ( 4 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 1+

Page 1 of 4



The third and most contentious explanation charges unequal distribution of pollutants and hazardous toxins to environmental racism.

In this explanation race is a major factor. Research findings suggest, "...racism may be playing a role in the decision-making process" (p. 88). Industrial decision-makers frequently choose minority areas for disposal and industrial facilities. Concentrations of pollution are simply reflections of inherent injustice in the system. In other words, poor environmental quality in minority areas is a symptom of institutional discrimination. Thus a variety of groups, organizations, and such are implicated -- probably, they don't intend any harm, but their policies result in negative outcomes for poor areas and the people living in them. In Kitchener, Ontario, for instance, a housing development was built where formerly a waste landfill was located. Officials who approved the development knew it had been a waste landfill, but the project was going to be profitable. Buyers did not know when they bought the property what was going to be underneath them. In another place, Ralgreen, Ontario, a housing development was built on top of a former waste landfill; methane gas accumulated and caused explosions, and eventually everybody had to move out. The city knew about the presence of methane but kept it secret to "prevent panic." By "coincidence" the people living there were low-income people.

Regardless of whether one accepts any of these explanations for how the unequal distribution of toxins happens, it can't be denied that socio-economic class is always a factor where toxic risks are present.

Stuck Writing Your "Environmental Racism Unequal Distribution Of" Term Paper?

View All Our Example Environmental Racism Unequal Distribution of Term Paper

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

Race issues are always part of it, although measures to assess prejudice are never part of the research data, so it can't be proven with empirical research that environmental racism exists -- at least, so far. Nevertheless, minorities are suffering more from the effects of poor environmental quality. On the bright side, an article titled "Talking Race" (2003) claims "After two decades of protest against the allocation of toxic waste sites in predominantly poor black and aboriginal communities, American environmental justice advocates can claim significant wins: federal legislation aimed at protecting the interests of minority communities, several court victories, halted industrial projects and, perhaps most importantly, credibility for their claims" (p. 3). Of course, there is more work to be done.

Certainly, it would help if urban planners could be more sensitive to issues of clean air and water, avoiding pollution and other risks, when they make their decisions. Moreover, environmental problems can't really be separated from problems of poverty, racism, sexism and unemployment. At the risk of sounding anti-capitalist, economic growth should not be allowed to take precedence over environmental health. Decisions should be made on the basis of meeting human and ecological needs and enhancing the quality of life. Democracy demands that minorities and poor people be allowed to speak and have equal voices. Finally, environmental threats should be eliminated before they happen instead of trying clean up a big mess afterwards......

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Environmental Racism Unequal Distribution Of" (2007, April 13) Retrieved June 4, 2026, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/environmental-racism-unequal-distribution-38623

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Environmental Racism Unequal Distribution Of" 13 April 2007. Web.4 June. 2026. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/environmental-racism-unequal-distribution-38623>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Environmental Racism Unequal Distribution Of", 13 April 2007, Accessed.4 June. 2026,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/environmental-racism-unequal-distribution-38623
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example