Waste and racism: A stacked deck

Journal Article · · Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States)

OSTI ID:6572617

Bullard, R D ^[1]

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1. Univ. of California, Riverside (United States)

It has been difficult for many blacks to say, Not in My Backyard.' Many of them don't even have a backyard, according to the author in describing what he calls environmental racism.' He defines environmental racism as the systematic targeting of black communities for the siting of sewer treatment plants, landfills, incinerators, hazardous-waste disposal sites, lead smelters, and other risky technologies.' Historically, poor and minority communities have received a disproportionate share of such facilities. Few are located in the suburbs, where most middle-class whites live. Today, Latino neighborhoods and Indian reservations also are feeling the impact of discriminatory siting decisions. The author feels state governments have done a miserable job of protecting minority communities from the ravages of industrial pollution. After placidly accepting their fate for years, many of the communities are fighting back, challenging siting decisions on equity grounds in state and federal courts and organizing a national movement against environmental injustice.

• OSTI ID: 6572617
• Journal Information: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States), Journal Name: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States) Vol. 8:1; ISSN FARPEL; ISSN 0887-8218
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290202* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Sociology-- (1992-)
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320000 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization
COMMUNITIES
ELEMENTS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INCINERATORS
INDIAN RESERVATIONS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LEAD
LOW INCOME GROUPS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
METALS
MINORITY GROUPS
PLANTS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
POLLUTION
POPULATIONS
SANITARY LANDFILLS
SEWAGE
SMELTERS
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES