Residential segregation not only restricts access to recourses, education, jobs and the pursuit of happiness, but also the type of food individuals are exposed to. The aggregation of African-Americans in low income communities is a consequence of lack of education, which exemplifies the paradigm that “Knowledge is power;” in this case knowledge of what constitutes a healthy diet and the risk factors that accompany processed, high fat foods. However, racial disparities involving the diet require more than knowledge; knowing the dangers of a toxic diet and the need for nutrient rich food will not surpass the oppression of institutional racism and residential segregation. For example, when surveying low income, non-white communities researchers
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In a study conducted by the USDA showed that 78.6% of ground beef contained microbial particles that are spread primarily by fecal matter, to which the USDA responded "although undesirable is unavoidable and not cause for condemnation of the product” (Schlosser 2005 pg 197). This study not only illustrates the severe consequences of consuming unhealthy food, but shows the government’s complacent role in poisoning it 's seemingly undeserving citizens with deadly toxins. Residential segregation increases minorities access to such food, as well as, raises the probability and frequency that these products appear in their diet. This begs the question if feces in food is not condemnation, what is? and what other substances will these institutions allow in food in order to increase their profit? Ground beef, the most inexpensive meat is just one example of how residential segregation and institutionalized racism are the driving force behind the notion that minorities are responsible for their own deteriorating health and poor …show more content…
Massey’s (2004) notion that the “continuing high levels of residential segregation” has made the “path of upward mobility largely inaccessible” for minorities, especially when ailed by chronic disease. The prevalence of radicalized cities with improper nutrition sources, reveals why minority youth, as opposed to their white counterparts, are more likely to become obese. This susceptibility to obesity increases individuals’ risk for cancer since “about one-third of cancers in Western high-income societies are attributable to factors relating to food, nutrition and physical activity” (Weisman 2008). This high margin of disease emphasizes the dire consequences of insufficient nutrition, and raised the risk of cancer as much as 40% by “altering immune system responses”(National Cancer Institute). Alterations to the immune system, the body’s primary defense at disease and deadly foreign invaders, not only increases chances for caner but any type of disease wether diet related or not. Obesity not only carries a social stigma of being a self-inflicted disease but contributes to deteriorating health and has a higher prevalence in the African American and Latino community. Although there are exceptions, referring to obesity as an individual problem fails to acknowledge
In a study conducted by the USDA showed that 78.6% of ground beef contained microbial particles that are spread primarily by fecal matter, to which the USDA responded "although undesirable is unavoidable and not cause for condemnation of the product” (Schlosser 2005 pg 197). This study not only illustrates the severe consequences of consuming unhealthy food, but shows the government’s complacent role in poisoning it 's seemingly undeserving citizens with deadly toxins. Residential segregation increases minorities access to such food, as well as, raises the probability and frequency that these products appear in their diet. This begs the question if feces in food is not condemnation, what is? and what other substances will these institutions allow in food in order to increase their profit? Ground beef, the most inexpensive meat is just one example of how residential segregation and institutionalized racism are the driving force behind the notion that minorities are responsible for their own deteriorating health and poor …show more content…
Massey’s (2004) notion that the “continuing high levels of residential segregation” has made the “path of upward mobility largely inaccessible” for minorities, especially when ailed by chronic disease. The prevalence of radicalized cities with improper nutrition sources, reveals why minority youth, as opposed to their white counterparts, are more likely to become obese. This susceptibility to obesity increases individuals’ risk for cancer since “about one-third of cancers in Western high-income societies are attributable to factors relating to food, nutrition and physical activity” (Weisman 2008). This high margin of disease emphasizes the dire consequences of insufficient nutrition, and raised the risk of cancer as much as 40% by “altering immune system responses”(National Cancer Institute). Alterations to the immune system, the body’s primary defense at disease and deadly foreign invaders, not only increases chances for caner but any type of disease wether diet related or not. Obesity not only carries a social stigma of being a self-inflicted disease but contributes to deteriorating health and has a higher prevalence in the African American and Latino community. Although there are exceptions, referring to obesity as an individual problem fails to acknowledge