What Is Environmental Racism?

General Description We live in 2017 and yet somehow racism still exists in America. Racism does not only exist in some of the most obvious ways, such as the killings of unarmed Black men, but also in ways not many people discuss. Environmental inequities in America give rise to what is considered “environmental racism.” In particular, the term environmental racism associates racism with environmental situations. In a general sense, environmental racism is the idea that actions, policies, and decisions about the environment result in racial discrimination or disparities. Therefore, marginalized communities in America often endure the most extreme ramifications of toxic contamination from environmentally damaging pollution. Marginalized communities
From an environmental justice perspective, there is a deeper look into the problem of externalities. For example, once a factory is established in a community that is predominately people of color, the executive board of the company will make profits, but the community members will be exposed to hazardous pollutants. Corporations establishing toxic facilities in communities of color often have the mindset that local residents do not have the political or financial will to resist not only because of the lack of representation, but due to the need for employment. Unfortunately, the latter reason is economic extortion because community members are forced to live in a toxic environment in order to pay their
In order to even begin solving the inequality issues, the lack of representation in all of the local and government organizations that influence environmental policy must be shifted. If people of color continue are continuously not represented, environmental policy will continue to perpetuate the inequalities among marginalized communities. Creating this change will not be easy, but it can begin with having a conversation that will eventually lead into onboarding more people of color. The Environmental Protection Agency could work on expanding and improving communication techniques with people of color. For example, outreach representatives who identify as people of color could go into communities that are being targeted and have an open dialogue with community members. Outreach representatives will simultaneously be making efforts to increase awareness of the environmental racism occuring within communities of