Unequal Protection: Environmental Justice and Communities of Color

by Robert D. Bullard (Editor)

Discusses racial discrimination in environmental policymaking and the unequal enforcement of environmental protection regulations

Genres: Environment, Nonfiction, Social Justice, Race

392 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 1994

Reviews

[Alida · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a course. Really illuminating to see the historical underpinnings of the environmental justice movement in the United States. While language and scope of this concept and movement has expanded since 1994, this collection of essays provides a detailed glimpse into the disproportionate environmental risks faced by communities of colour.

“The discussion of environmental justice is not a philosophical debate, although we do need to question the philosophical ethos that allows a society to participate in its own destruction. But for us, the issues of environmental justice is an issue of life and death. In the South Side of Chicago, our children are dying. Some die in their mothers’ wombs. In Louisiana’s petrochemical corridor, “Cancer Alley”, it is our children who are dying in record numbers. In New York City, it is our children who are poisoned by lead-based paint in old housing. In the Southwest and among farm workers, it is our children who suffer from pesticide poisoning. On Native American reservations, reserves, and lands, it is our children who are victims of “radioactive colonialism.” And for Asian Americans and Latino American sister and brothers who labour in Silicon Valley, it is our children who are dying.”

[Mrs Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The issues discussed in this book from 1990 are, sadly, still issues we face today. An excellent history of the original environmental justice movement and the communities that shaped the movement. Many of the authors wrote amazing, well-written chapters, while others throw everything that they can on the page in a hodge-podge to see what sticks. Important read.

[Lenny]

Critical reading for those interested in EJ in the US. Most of the cases are very early in the stages of the growing EJ movement, from an overview of 'endangered communities' in California, to West Dallas PCB's, Cancer Alley and more. Favorite chapter: women and EJ; feminist look at EJ...