Racism and Social Injustice

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In the United States and internationally, there is a multitude of indicators that the 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 expose the poor and minorities to physical hazards. Furthermore, sociologist continue to study “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). Many of these factors include economic positions, health disparities, social and political affairs, as well as racial inequalities.
A large number of low-income and minority families live in poor economic conditions. The economy is altered on account of multinational companies locating new facilities where land values and operation costs are low. Cheap lands are easily attained by polluting facilities because underprivileged communities are unable to effectively prevent such shortcomings. When companies locate their new facilities in these areas, property values decline and quality of life decreases (Mohai and Saha 2007: 345). Following this phenomenon is a decrease in the white and affluent populations of these areas. When property values decline, housing is made affordable, therefore, minorities and the poverty-stricken move in. This paradox commences the stages of environmental racism. Despite notable improvements in environmental inequalities, internationally, billions of people live in hazardous physical conditions. Furthermore, “These communities suffer both the physical and social consequences of housing discrimination, residential segregation, and...

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...org/who-we-are/)

Mohai, Paul and Robin Saha. 2007. “Racial Inequality in the Distribution of Hazardous Waste: A National-Level Reassessment.” Social Problems 54 (3): 343-370.

Park, S. Rozeila. 1998. “An Examination of International Environmental Racism Through the Lens of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Waste.” Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies 5 (2): 659-709.

Principles of Environmental Justice. Principles of Environmental Justice. (http://www.ejnet.org/ej/principles.html)

Rudel, K. Thomas, J. Timmons Roberts and JoAnn Carmin. 2011. “Political Economy of the Environment.” Annual Review of Sociology 37: 221-238.

Waldron-Moore, Pamela, Anthony McKinney, Ariel Howard and Amanda Brown. 2007. “A Question of Social Justice: The Case of Louisiana Communities and their Struggle for
Environmental Sustainability.” Race, Gender & Class 14 (3/4): 154-174.

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