In the book “Dumping in Dixie: Race, Class, and Environmental Quality” by Robert D. Bullard he discusses the importance of environmental quality and the effects of racial and social hierarchy’s contribution to environmental problems in poor, working class, urban communities. Being that Bullard is known as the “Father of environmental justice” this book is just one of many of the embodiments of everything he stands for as an environmentalist and sociologist. Not only does he inform the reader on information about the struggle for environmental equity(the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental policies and laws to ensure that no group or community is made to bear a disproportionate share of the harmful effects of pollution
…show more content…
He is also trying to establish the fact that environmental and social justice is the basic right to live in a clean environment. Bullard mainly focuses on black communities in southern states such as; Texas, West Virginia, Alabama, and Louisiana which fuelled the black environmental equity movement. Bullard claims that the health of black communities is heavily impacted by the negative effects of industries locating their facilities in communities where the environmental awareness is low. Bullard states, “Discrimination created the situation, and those with wealth and influence have the political power to keep polluting facilities away from their homes. Living in poverty areas is bad enough. High pollution makes it worse.” (Bullard, 2000, p. 7). Local governments and businesses abuse their political and economic power to take advantage of communities that lack enforcement of environmental regulations. He provides evidence by explaining the way black communities cope with environmental stressors such as municipal solid waste facilities, on the job hazards, hazardous waste landfills, and chemicals from industrial plants. Bullard conducts all sorts of surveys, case studies, and reports to show just how severe communities with more exposure to negative environmental factors are due to faulty environmental laws and …show more content…
Bullard brings environmental discrimination to a broader audience. Not only did he raise awareness of environmental racism, but also gave hope that the environmental justice could possibly be served. Overall, I believe that the book accomplished all that Bullard wanted it to accomplish. As an observer, I feel that this book was designed to educate and encourage the public to see the environmental disparities between racial/social classes. I feel as though I have developed a bit of a passion for environmental equity and justice, which is something I think Bullard would be satisfied to hear from a reader. As a reader, I enjoyed the enlightenment of it all, especially on the premise of environmental equity for all groups and
He is also trying to establish the fact that environmental and social justice is the basic right to live in a clean environment. Bullard mainly focuses on black communities in southern states such as; Texas, West Virginia, Alabama, and Louisiana which fuelled the black environmental equity movement. Bullard claims that the health of black communities is heavily impacted by the negative effects of industries locating their facilities in communities where the environmental awareness is low. Bullard states, “Discrimination created the situation, and those with wealth and influence have the political power to keep polluting facilities away from their homes. Living in poverty areas is bad enough. High pollution makes it worse.” (Bullard, 2000, p. 7). Local governments and businesses abuse their political and economic power to take advantage of communities that lack enforcement of environmental regulations. He provides evidence by explaining the way black communities cope with environmental stressors such as municipal solid waste facilities, on the job hazards, hazardous waste landfills, and chemicals from industrial plants. Bullard conducts all sorts of surveys, case studies, and reports to show just how severe communities with more exposure to negative environmental factors are due to faulty environmental laws and …show more content…
Bullard brings environmental discrimination to a broader audience. Not only did he raise awareness of environmental racism, but also gave hope that the environmental justice could possibly be served. Overall, I believe that the book accomplished all that Bullard wanted it to accomplish. As an observer, I feel that this book was designed to educate and encourage the public to see the environmental disparities between racial/social classes. I feel as though I have developed a bit of a passion for environmental equity and justice, which is something I think Bullard would be satisfied to hear from a reader. As a reader, I enjoyed the enlightenment of it all, especially on the premise of environmental equity for all groups and