Saturday, September 8, 2018
M3.3 Environmental Justice
If 3 out of the 4 commercial hazardous waste landfills were located in predominately black communities, I find it hard to believe that it is a coincidence. To me, it seems like there is a discriminatory intent to locate those facilities at those communities. It sends out a loud message that 'black lives don't matter, so let's build the hazardous landfills in their communities and they can hold the burden of suffering from those toxins'. In relation to social determinants of health, if a baby is born into one of those communities with those hazardous waste landfills, they are predetermined to be exposed to environmental health hazards. Being born black into a predominately black neighborhood sets the stage for being exposed to the kinds of health issues that are associated with race and income levels.
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Hi, I agree with you. It is as if the world views those of color as less important. What is the answer though? these low income families, typically of color, can only afford to live out where facilities like these exist. Do we need to educate them more, for better paying jobs? This is a very hard discussion.
ReplyDeleteThe facilities were built into their already existing neighborhoods, so I think the answer is simple– do not locate them there. They already have an established community there, and by placing landfills in their community (with discriminate intent), resulted in what outsiders see as a "poor" neighborhood, even though it did not start out that way. Educating them and telling them to get better paying jobs is not the solution, solving racism is.
DeleteHey Sandy,
ReplyDeleteThis is a sad situation that a lot of people in minority communities are in. As you said, the message this sends is clear, that the lives of minorities are worth less. As more information is found about the harm that these chemicals cause, it seems extremely unlikely that it's only a coincidence that all the toxic waste is going towards these neighborhoods and communities.