The Harsh Reality of Environmental Racism: A Closer Look at the Mounting Facts

The mounting facts of environmental racism have sparked a renewed sense of urgency among environmental justice activists. In the aftermath of the Afton protests, where communities of color were disproportionately affected by the siting of polluting facilities, activists have uncovered a disturbing pattern.

Corporations, regulatory agencies, and local planning and zoning boards have consistently targeted low-income communities of color for the placement of landfills, waste transfer stations, incinerators, and other polluting facilities. These communities often have lower property values due to historical redlining practices, lack connections to decision makers, and cannot afford the technical and legal expertise needed to fight against these sitings.

Studies in the late 1980s and early 1990s have provided concrete evidence of environmental racism. A GAO study revealed that three-quarters of hazardous waste landfill sites in eight southeastern states were located in primarily low-income, Black, and Latine communities. The United Church of Christ’s Commission for Racial Justice also published a landmark report showing that race was the most important factor in determining the siting of toxic waste facilities in the United States.

Sociologist Dr. Robert Bullard’s book, “Dumping in Dixie: Race, Class, and Environmental Quality,” further emphasized the role of race in the placement of unwanted facilities that produce toxic chemicals. These findings highlight the systemic nature of environmental racism and the urgent need for action to address these injustices.