There are many reasons that the world should strive to create a healthy and clean environment. Race and cultural justice are two of the most important.
It is no secret that America has had a long history of racial justice problems. We continue to struggle to address issues that have been present since the inception of the country. We also fail to adequately address long-standing environmental issues.
These two failures have overlapped consequences. Communities that suffer from racial injustice are also more likely to be affected by environmental issues.
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This is not an accident. It is the result of years of racist redlining and zoning practices that created heavily segregated communities. These communities also have a gap in access to resources and wealth, with Black areas often being more poor than areas that are predominantly white.
We see a significant gap between these areas when it comes to how they face environmental problems.
These poorer areas are often home to high-polluting sites like waste management and water disposal plants. These areas are more prone to air pollution than other areas. This can lead to health problems. Run-off can also be a problem, as it can affect water supply and food supply.
As an example, take the Indian River Lagoon. If it falls, the most immediate victims would be those living in low-income communities, which are closest to waste management facilities.
These areas are low-income and it is not possible for residents to move away. They shouldn’t have to. These communities should not be forced to relocate due to corporate polluters.
They are rarely able to change these issues because they lack the resources to do so. These areas are also frequently neglected by politicians, who are the ones with the power to provide the resources needed to help their communities.
However, it is not enough to take care of the environment. It is also a matter of obligation to preserve the culture surrounding the environment.
If we were to use the Indian River LagoonBlack Seminoles were the first to settle in the area. They lived off the land and respected its sacredness. Respecting the land where indigenous people once lived is a part of justice for the oppression they have suffered.
Not only is it a matter for health and inequality but also because our environment’s poor state of health can have a significant impact on cultural identity. It is important that communities whose identity is partly tied to the land are protected, and that they have the opportunity to connect to their culture in healthy environments.
Solving these problems requires that these communities have access to a large amount of resources, as well as a platform for their voices to be heard. It is crucial that we see environmental issues through the lens of racial justice as we work towards addressing them.
Justin Breckenridge, a senior in Florida Tech’s multiplatform Journalism program, is an author.
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