M3.3 Environmental Justice Blog
Environmental justice definitely ties into the idea that
where you live and work does impact your health and well-being. I think we’ve
witnessed or know someone or even have experienced first-hand environmental racism.
For example, for low-income families who can only afford to rent houses in
dense neighborhoods that are closely located to industrial facilities, their
health are being effected every day perhaps due to air and water pollution if
not other kinds of chemical exposures. For children who are born and grow up in
these areas that suffer from environmental justice issues, their health, and physical
and intellectual development can be altered over a substantial amount of time
with increased risk for health issues and diseases. Studies have shown that the
zip code of where one lives matters more than their genetic codes in determining
their health in the future, and even genes are shown to being shaped and influenced
by where we live. Therefore, social determinants of health rely heavily on the
origin of where people come from and where they reside.
In addition, after going through the article that briefly showed
8 examples of mistreatment of black communities by corporations, I now know
that the “Black Lives Matter” movement is not only about criminal justice and
social justice for African-Americans but it also included environmental
justice. These big corporations cannot take for lightly the health and
well-being of the people living in these communities where they want to build
their facilities knowing full well that the residents here will be exposed to
highly toxic chemicals every day which eventually lead to multiple serious
health adverse. I think the key here is for the cities and the residents to
work together in order to fight off these giant corporate from invading and
polluting their homes.
Hi Nha,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading one of those articles, I also just learned that the "Black Lives Matter" movement is not just about social justice. I didn't know that they also focus on environmental justice. I'm glad to know that people who are part of the "Black Lives Matter" movement also talk about environmental issues like pollution in black neighborhoods. I think we need to have more groups that will engage in conversation and propose solutions to health problems in the communities. Yes, I agree that people need to work together to have a better and clean community.
- Krissy
Hi Nha,
ReplyDeleteYes, environmental racism is a big and often overlooked component of racism. Like you mentioned, one of the primary examples is seen in low-income families who can only afford to rent houses in dense neighborhoods that are closely located to industrial facilities. These people unfortunately tend to be minorities and are exposed to all types of chemicals, leaving them at a higher risk of developing a chronic health condition or exacerbating current health conditions.
Hey Nha,
ReplyDeleteI agree racism and environmental justice are intertwined and directly impact the communities who live in neighborhoods next to Chevron, sewage plants, or other refineries because the air, water, and soil are directly affected those that live in those areas where housing is the cheapest and that unfortunately is ethnic communities of color. Or in already existing low income communities like we have learned, companies choose to build specifically in communities that are predominately black or Latino because they feel they will have little pushback or if they do nothing big money can't go up against. It is maddening, frustrating, and sickening that our most vulnerable populations are at highest risk of the detrimental health effects of asthma, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease, cancers, and have higher rates of mortality.