the “beloved community:” chronicling poverty-stricken communities’ involvement with...

8/10/2019 The Beloved Community: Chronicling Poverty-Stricken Communities Involvement with Environmental Justice Mo

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Running head: THE BELOVED COMMUNITY: CHRONICLING POVERTY 1

The Beloved Community: Chronicling Poverty-Stricken Communities

Involvement with Environmentl !ustice "ovements

Cheri Sco


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THE !BELOVED COMMUNITY:" CHRONICLING POVERTY#STRIC$EN

#$strct

Thi% &a&er 'i(( chronic(e (o'#inco)e co))uniie%* in+o(+e)en 'ih

en+iron)ena( ,u%ice )o+e)en% o %ee i- here i% a connecion .e'een Dr/ Marin

Luher $ing 0r/*% !Be(o+ed Co))uni1" and gra%%#roo en+iron)ena( ,u%ice

)o+e)en%/ Three en+iron)ena( ,u%ice )aer% 'i(( .e e2a)ined in hi% &a&er o

ideni-1 he -o((o'ing:

3/ 4ha a %ucce%%-u( en+iron)ena( gra%% roo% )o+e)en (oo5% (i5e/6/ Ho' one co))uni1 )i%%ed he o&&oruni1 o -or) an en+iron)ena(

gra%% roo% )o+e)en/

7/ Ho' an en+iron)ena( gra%% roo% )o+e)en i% e)u(aing $ing*% +i%ion o-

!The Be(o+ed Co))uni1/"

The%e hree narrai+e% 'i(( e2&(ore 'heher or no Dr/ Marin Luher $ing 0r/*% +i%ion o-

he !Be(o+ed Co))uni1" can ran%-or) co))uniie% ino e--eci+e deci%ion#)a5ing

&o&u(aion% and ac a% a )ode( o re+er%e en+iron)ena( degradaion/

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The Beloved Community: Chronicling Poverty-Stricken Communities

Involvement with Environmentl !ustice "ovements

Introduction o% the Beloved Community

The noion o- !Be(o+ed Co))uni1" deri+e% -ro) 0o%iah Ro1ce 839#3;3 a

3;hcenur1 ?)erican &hi(o%o&her 'ho -ir% coined he er) ha (aer .eca)e a &o&u(ar

conce& o- Dr/ Marin Luher $ing> 0r/ Ro1ce*% and $ing*% +i%ion o- he !Be(o+ed

Co))uni1" are &ara((e( .ecau%e he1 .oh .e(ie+ed ha !co))uniie% are de-ined .1

rue (o1a(1> or adherence o a cau%e ha har)oni@e% 'ih he uni+er%a( idea( o- A(o1a(1

o (o1a(1*" 8Par5er> 6> &/ 76=/ $ing ac5no'(edged he .ri((iance o- Ro1ce*%

heoreica( &er%&eci+e o- he !Be(o+ed Co))uni1" and reinroduced he conce& o he

Ci+i( Righ% )o+e)en during he 3;% and achie+a.(e

goa( ha cou(d .e aained .1 a criica( )a%% o- &eo&(e co))ied o and rained in he

&hi(o%o&h1 and )ehod% o- non+io(ence" 8The $ing Cener> &/ > n/d/=/ The &hi(o%o&hie%

ou(ined .1 Dr/ $ing are &ur&o%e-u( and %hou(d .e u%ed a% %raegie% o organi@e e--eci+e

gra%% roo% )o+e)en% ha 'i%h o achie+e %ocia( change/ I i% no acciden ha $ing

&ro+ided an ou(ine -or a %ucce%%-u( %raeg1 hrough he !Be(o+ed Co))uni1>" and i-

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hi% %raeg1 i% e)&(o1ed correc(1> &ro-ound )o+e)en% cou(d coninue o &rogre%% a%

he1 did in he Mongo)er1 Bu% Bo1co %rugg(e/ Dr/ $ing urged &eo&(e no o (e he

.u% .o1co and i% achie+e)en% .e he u(i)ae goa(> .u coun%e(ed he &eo&(e o reach

!he end goa( o- reconci(iaion> he end i% rede)&ion>" and !he end i% he creaion o- he

.e(o+ed co))uni1" 8Mar%h> 6> &/ 3=/

$ing and oher ci+i( righ% (eader%> .oh 'o)en and )en> under%ood ho' o u%e

he .u% .o1co o achie+e a !Be(o+ed Co))uni1" ha u%ed non+io(en )ehod% o

cha((enge he ri&(e e+i(% 'hich are &o+er1> raci%)> and )i(iari%) and are di%cu%%ed

.e(o'/ Ho'e+er> he 'or5 o- Dr/ $ing and oher (eader% during he % and


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6/ Non+io(ence %ee5% o 'in -riend%hi& and under%anding/ The end re%u( o-

non+io(ence i% rede)&ion and reconci(iaion/ The &ur&o%e o- non+io(ence i% he

creaion o- he !Be(o+ed Co))uni1/"

7/ Non+io(ence %ee5% o de-ea in,u%ice> no &eo&(e/ Non+io(ence recogni@e% ha

e+i(doer% are a(%o +ici)% and are no e+i( &eo&(e// Non+io(ence ho(d% ha %u--ering can educae and ran%-or)/ Non+io(ence acce&%

%u--ering 'ihou rea(iaion/ Unearned %u--ering i% rede)&i+e and ha% re)endou%

educaiona( and ran%-or)ing &o%%i.i(iie%// Non+io(ence choo%e% (o+e in%ead o- hae/ Non+io(ence re%i%% +io(ence o- he %&iri

a% 'e(( a% o- he .od1/ Non+io(en (o+e i% %&onaneou%> un)oi+aed> un%e(-i%h> and

creai+e/ 3; &ara/ 6=/

The ne2 co)&onen i% Dr/ $ing*% %i2 %e&% o- Non+io(en Socia( Change> 'hich

%hou(d .e .a%ed on a grou&*% %ucce%%-u( co)&(eion o- he -ir% 'o a%&ec% o- he

&hi(o%o&h1/ The inenion o- hi% %ecion i% o he(& each and ca)&aign on .eha(- o-

agape 8.roher(1=(o+e and i% a guide -or %ocia( ineracion and iner&er%ona( change> a((

co)&onen% o- he !Be(o+ed Co))uni1/" In he ou(ine> The $ing Cener 83; &ara/

7= %ae%:

3/ In-or)aion Gahering: o under%and and aricu(ae an i%%ue> &ro.(e) or in,u%ice

-acing a &er%on> co))uni1> or in%iuion> 1ou )u% conduc re%earch/ You )u%

in+e%igae and gaher a(( +ia( in-or)aion -ro) a(( %ide% o- he argu)en or i%%ue in

order o increa%e 1our under%anding o- he &ro.(e)/ You )u% .eco)e an e2&er on

1our o&&onen*% &o%iion/


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6/ Educaion: i i% e%%enia( o in-or) oher%> inc(uding 1our o&&o%iion> a.ou 1our

i%%ue%/ Thi% )ini)i@e% )i%under%anding% and gain% 1ou %u&&or and %1)&ah1/7/ Per%ona( Co))i)en: chec5 dai(1 and a--ir) 1our -aih in he &hi(o%o&h1 and

)ehod% o- non+io(ence/ E(i)inae hidden )oi+e% and &re&are 1our%e(- o acce&

%u--ering> i- nece%%ar1> in 1our 'or5 -or ,u%ice// Di%cu%%ionNegoiaion: u%ing grace> hu)or> and ine((igence> con-ron% he oher

&ar1 'ih a (i% o- in,u%ice% and a &(an o addre%% and re%o(+e he%e in,u%ice%/ Loo5

-or 'ha i% &o%ii+e in e+er1 acion and %ae)en he o&&o%iion )a5e%/ Do no %ee5

o hu)i(iae he o&&onen> .u o ca(( -orh he good in he o&&onen// Direc ?cion: he%e are acion% a5en 'hen he o&&onen i% un'i((ing o ener ino> or

re)ain in di%cu%%ionnegoiaion/ The%e acion% i)&o%e a !creai+e en%ion" on he

con-(ic> %u&&(1ing )ora( &re%%ure on 1our o&&onen o 'or5 'ih 1ou in re%o(+ing

he in,u%ice/ and hen o--ered he &rinci&(e% o- non+io(ence>

&rinci&(e% o- %ocia( change> and hi% +i%ion -or he !Be(o+ed Co))uni1" o co).a he%e

e+i(%/ Thi% -ra)e'or5 i% nece%%ar1 o reconci(e he con-(ic> ad+er%i1> and -ear

e2&erienced 'hen con-roning in,u%ice%/ Mar%h 86= )ade he &oin ha $ing*% +i%ion


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o- he !Be(o+ed Co))uni1" 'a% a rea( +i%ion ha i((u)inaed he !-ierce urgenc1 o-

no'" 8&/ 6=/ He %ugge%ed !he ruh ha .e(o+ed co))uni1 i% no %e(-#generaingF ha

.ehind i %and% he e+en> and he &o'er .1 'hich i (i+e% and i% nouri%hedF ha &aien>

&a%%ionae 'or(d(ine%% o&en% and a('a1% ono (arger +i%a%" 8Mar%h> 6> &/ 6=/ I i%

i)&oran ha $ing*% -ra)e'or5 .e u%ed o cha((enge in,u%ice% and .ui(d %ucce%%-u(

%ocia( ,u%ice )o+e)en%> .u hi% %raeg1 i% underui(i@ed .1 )odern da1 gra%% roo%

%ocia( ,u%ice )o+e)en%/

In order o u%e Dr/ $ing*% -ra)e'or5 o- %ocia( ,u%ice> i i% i)&oran o recogni@e

ho' hi% +i%ion o- he !Be(o+ed Co))uni1" 'a% no ,u% 'ord% ha he aricu(aed in he

%&eeche% he ga+e> .u %ho'ed hrough hi% aci+e engage)en in 'ha he did/ Thi% i% 'h1

)1 &a&er .egin% 'ih an e2en%i+e> +er.ai) ou(ine o- he &ur&o%e-u( %raeg1 ha $ing

inended -or he &u.(ic o u%e/ Hi% %ucce%%-u( .(ue&rin e2e)&(i-ie% ho' he Ci+i( Righ%

)o+e)en 'on> and %hou(d .e an e2a)&(e o- ho' gra%% roo% %ocia( ,u%ice )o+e)en%

can %ucceed oda1/ Tradiiona((1> he cha((enge i% o+erco)ing he (ac5 o- a'arene%% o-

'ha $ing*% %raeg1 )ean> hi%orica((1> and 'ha i )ean% oda1 -or %ocia( ,u%ice

gra%%roo% )o+e)en%> .ecau%e aiude% o- 'ha %ocia( ,u%ice )ean% a)ong he%e grou&%

+arie%/ Three gra%% roo% en+iron)ena( ,u%ice )o+e)en% are e2a)ined o %ee 'heher

or no Dr/ $ing*% &hi(o%o&hie% o- he !Be(o+ed Co))uni1" conri.ued o heir

%raegie%F he%e 'i(( .e di%cu%%ed (aer in hi% &a&er/ Re%u(% -ro) ear(ier gra%% roo%

%ocia( ,u%ice )o+e)en% indicae ha %o)e engage 5no'ing(1 in he agenda ou(ined .1

Dr/ $ing> .u i i% di--icu( o ari.ue he %ucce%% o- %o)e grou&%* %raegie% o he

%ucce%% o- en+iron)ena( ,u%ice )o+e)en% in genera(/ Ne+erhe(e%%> he -o((o'ing

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%ecion %e% ou o e2&(ain en+iron)ena( ,u%ice and ho' i a--ec% &o+er1#%ric5en

co))uniie%/

Environmentl In&ustice

In hi% .oo5> Where Do We o from !ere" Chaos or Community> Dr/ $ing

dec(ared ha he Unied Sae% and he naion*% econo)ic %1%e) ha+e a )ora( o.(igaion/

He indicaed ha %o)ehing 'a% 'rong 'ih ca&ia(i%)/ So)e %cho(ar% 'ou(d agree 'ih

hi% a%%e%%)en o- ca&ia(i%) in he Unied Sae%> a% i i% o-en accu%ed o- rading

)inori1 hea(h -or &ro-i/ ?ccording o Ca)acho 83;;9=:

!The &ro-i )oi+e heor1 e)anae% -ro)> .u i% no (i)ied o> he Mar2i%

ana(1%i% o- en+iron)ena( ,u%ice i%%ue%/ Pro&onen% o- hi% e2&(anaion

argue ha en+iron)ena( concern% re&re%en a hrea o he earning &o'er

o- ca&ia(i%%/ Hence> he en+iron)ena( in,u%ice in-(iced on &eo&(e o-

co(or and he &oor ha% .eco)e a )echani%) -or recou&ing &ro-i% ha

ha+e .een (o% .ecau%e o- en+iron)ena( regu(aion%/ ?% I+ee Per-eco

conend%> en+iron)ena( in,u%ice in-(iced on &eo&(e o- co(or and he &oor

i% anoher -or) o- e2&ro&riaion &er)ied under ca&ia(i%)" 8(oc/ 3


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Ha)i(on*% 83;;= re%earch -inding% i)&(1 ha> according o he Coa%e*% heore)> 'hen a

ha@ardou% 'a%e -aci(i1 i% (ocaed in a &aricu(ar geogra&hica( area> ha i% 'here i 'i((

do he (ea% da)age/ Thi% %ugge%% ha a ha@ardou% 'a%e -aci(i1 'i(( .e (ocaed in order

o a5e ino accoun he !&h1%ica( and de)ogra&hic characeri%ic% o- he %urrounding

neigh.orhood ha in-(uence he co% o- i% e2erna(iie%: he nu).er o- &eo&(e a--ecedF

inco)e%F &ro&er1 +a(ue%F and re%iden%* 'i((ingne%% o &a1 -or en+iron)ena( a)eniie%"

8&/ 3;#33=/ Ta5en ogeher> he radeo-- o- hu)an hea(h and he Coa%e heore) %ugge%

ha &oor )inori1 &o&u(aion%> 'hich (ac5 a()o% a(( o- he e2erna(iie%> 'i(( (i5e(1 .e

+ici)% 'hen !o'ner% o- 'a%e -aci(iie% rade#o-- &ro-i% -or &re,udice" 8Ha)i(on> 3;;>

&/ 3;=/

Si)i(ar -inding% 'ere re&ored in he re%earch o- Bu((ard and 0ohn%on 86=>

'ho %ugge%ed ha: !The do)inan en+iron)ena( &roecion &aradig) in%iuiona(i@e%

uneua( en-orce)enF rade% hu)an hea(h -or &ro-i%F &(ace%J he .urden o- &roo- on he

+ici)% and no he &o((uing indu%r1" 8&/ 9=/ Uneua( di%ri.uion o- en+iron)ena(

.urden% conri.ue% (arge(1 o he %ociea( ri.u(aion% ha a--ec 'o)en> chi(dren>

indigenou% &eo&(e> and )inori1 ehnic grou&% 8?de.o'a(e> 69=/ Ba%ed on he%e

re%u(%> en+iron)ena( .urden% (e+ied di%&ro&orionae(1 on )argina(i@ed grou&% inc(ude

o2ic che)ica(% re(ea%ed in 'aer> (and> and air> .ecau%e he%e are %u.,ec o (i)ied

&o(ic1 regu(aion%/ Inere%ing(1> here i% (i(e go+ernance o+er &o(icie% ha a((o'

no2iou% )ar5e% o o&erae 'ihin de%iue co))uniie%/ Sa@* 863= de-iniion o-

no2iou% )ar5e% inc(ude% -our &ara)eer%: !+u(nera.i(i1F 'ea5 agenc1F e2re)e(1

har)-u( ouco)e% -or indi+idua(%> and e2re)e(1 har)-u( ouco)e% -or %ocie1"

8(oc/3;3=/

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No2iou% )ar5e% (ocaed according o +u(nera.i(i1 and 'ea5 agenc1 ari%e 'hen

&eo&(e are e2re)e(1 &oor and acce& er)% ha are ha@ardou% o heir hea(h and

(i+e(ihood% due o de%&eraion and de%&air/ In%ance% o- +u(nera.i(i1 and 'ea5 agenc1

'ere i((u%raed .1 I%hi1a)a*% 867= de%cri&ion o- Nai+e ?)erican ri.a( (eader%*

agree)en o di%&o%e o- U/S/ nuc(ear and radioaci+e 'a%e generaed .1 he )i(iar1 and

co))ercia( nuc(ear %ie% on heir (and/ The S5u(( Va((e1 Band o- Go%hue Indian% 'a%

o--ered a %)a(( )onear1 inceni+e o di%&o%e o- he ha@ardou% 'a%e on heir (and/ The

ri.e acce&ed hi% )ar5e ran%acion .ecau%e he1 'ere e2re)e(1 &oor and in de%&erae

-inancia( need/ The%e are rai% o- +u(nera.i(i1 and 'ea5 agenc1/ The oher 'o

&ara)eer% inc(ude e2re)e(1 har)-u( ouco)e% -or indi+idua(% and %ocie1> and he%e

occur 'hen he )ar5e o&erae% 5no'ing(1 under e2re)e(1 har)-u( circu)%ance%

.ecau%e he cii@en% are !de%iue or in 'hich heir )o% .a%ic inere%% are under)ined"

8Sa@> 63> (oc/ 6=/ ?n e2a)&(e o- e2re)e(1 har)-u( circu)%ance% inc(ude% a

naiona( &aern o- e2&o%ure o- he &oor and &eo&(e o- co(or o en+iron)ena( ha@ard%/

?ccording o Ca)acho 83;;9=: !The &redo)inan(1 ?-rican ?)erican and Laino %ouh

%ide o- Chicago .oa%% he (arge% concenraion o- )unici&a( and ha@ardou% 'a%e du)&%

in he counr1" 8(oc/ 377=/ One hou%ing &ro,ec i% %urrounded .1 !nine indu%ria(

-aci(iie% 5no'n o e)i o2in%>" inc(uding car.on )ono2ide and %u(-ur dio2ide &o((uion/

Ca)acho 83;;9= o--ered %u&&or -or hi% iner&reaion .1 &ro+iding con%idera.(e

e+idence ha he Unied Sae% i% a re&ea o--ender 'ih re%&ec o incidence% o-

en+iron)ena( ha@ard% in &redo)inae(1 ?-rican ?)erican> Nai+e ?)erican> Laino> and

?%ian ?)erican co))uniie%/ Hi% %ud1 -ound ha:

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!Loca( go+ern)en%* o--icia(% con%i%en(1 a((o' -or he (ocaion o-

ha@ardou% and o2ic 'a%e -aci(iie% in (o'#inco)e neigh.orhood% and

co))uniie%/ Con%euen(1> (o'#inco)e grou&% a% 'e(( a% &eo&(e o- co(or

%u--er di%&ro&orionae(1 -ro) he regre%%i+e i)&ac% o- en+iron)ena(

&o(ic1/ Kurher> he a+erage -ine -or +io(aion% -or -edera( ha@ardou% 'a%e

and en+iron)ena( %aue% in he%e co))uniie% ha% .een -ound o .e

%igni-ican(1 (o'er han ho%e i)&o%ed -or +io(aion% in (arge(1 'hie

neigh.orhood%" 8Ca)acho> 3;;9> (oc/ 3;9=/

He 'en on o de%cri.e he rea%on% ha en+iron)ena( &o(ic1 o-en e2c(ude% )argina(i@ed

&o&u(aion%> and in hi% e2&(anaion> he )ade he &oin ha &o(ic1 &ro.(e)% &er%i%

.ecau%e &eo&(e o- co(or are no a &ar o- he &o(ic1)a5ing &roce%%/

4hen addre%%ing en+iron)ena( degradaion> he +oice% o- he di%en-ranchi%ed are

no con%idered> and hi% i% a (arge &ar o- he &ro.(e)/ ?ccording o 4hie#Ne'%o)e

863=> &eo&(e o- co(or 'ho (i+e in (o'#inco)e hou%ing are (ocaed near &o'er &(an%>

%e'age rea)en -aci(iie%> o2ic du)&%> and (and-i((%/ Re%iden% o- he%e co))uniie%

e2&erience higher incidence% o- hea(h &ro.(e)% ha range -ro) .irh de-ec% and cancer

o a%h)a and high in-an )ora(i1/ ?(hough con%idera.(e &rogre%% ha% .een )ade in he

(ieraure> )an1 i)&oran i%%ue% re)ain unre%o(+ed .ecau%e he +er1 &eo&(e 'ho are

a--eced .1 en+iron)ena( in,u%ice% are no inc(uded in &o(ic1/

4hie#Ne'%o)e 863= i% a Kedera( Po(ic1 ?na(1% 'ho 'or5% coninuou%(1 'ih

re%iden% 'ho &ro+ide &er%ona( accoun% o- en+iron)ena( in,u%ice%/ The )o% %ri5ing

e2a)&(e co)e% -ro) a re%iden na)ed ?ge(d Garden> 'ho (i+e% in a &redo)inae(1

?-rican#?)erican hou%ing &ro,ec on he Souhea% %ide o- Chicago/ He %aed ha he

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co))uni1 i% !%urrounded .1 a ha@ardou% 'a%e incineraor ha gi+e% o-- PCB%> %e+en

(and-i((% ha are con%an(1 gro'ing> here are che)ica( &(an%> a &ain -acor1> 'o %ee(

)i((%/ 4e ha+e (o% o- cancer> re%&iraor1 &ro.(e)%> .irh de-or)iie%" 8&/ 9=/ ? -urher

e2a)&(e o- en+iron)ena( in,u%ice i% he &er%i%ence o- (arge indu%ria( -aci(iie% ha

cona)inae Nai+e ?)erican (and% and erriorie%/ In a re&or re(ea%ed .1 he

Co))i%%ion o- Racia( 0u%ice ha de%cri.ed he (i+ing %iuaion on Nai+e (and%> 4hie#

Ne'%o)e 863= di%co+ered ha:

!Na+a,o% (i+ing near Rio Puerco> Ne' Me2ico ha+e -ound heir hea(h> a%

'e(( a% ha o- heir ani)a(% and drin5ing 'aer> ad+er%e(1 a--eced .1 he

)an1 uraniu) )ine% %urrounding he area/ Po+er1#%ric5en Nai+e

?)erican co))uniie% -ace %o)e o- he 'or% o2ic &o((uion &ro.(e)% in

he counr1/ ?&&ro2i)ae(1 ha(- o- a(( Nai+e ?)erican% (i+e in

co))uniie% 'ih an unconro((ed o2ic 'a%e %ie" 8&/ 9=/

The%e e2a)&(e% o- en+iron)ena( in,u%ice are re-(eced in curren re%earch and

&ro+ide %rong e)&irica( e+idence o- un-air rea)en in &o(ic1 i)&(e)enaion>

en-orce)en and regu(aion/ Poor co))uniie% are c(ear(1 .urdened 'ih he

!en+iron)ena( .ad%" and ho%e !co))uniie% o- co(or recei+e %(o'er> (e%% e--eci+e

re%&on%e% -ro) regu(aor1 agencie% 'hi(e co)&anie% caugh &o((uing he%e co))uniie%

ha+e -e'er &ena(ie% and chea&er -ine%" 84hie#Ne'%o)e> 63> &/ 9=/ Ta5e he ca%e o-

Da+id and Char(e% $och> o'ner% o- $och Indu%rie%/ The1 ha+e he %econd (arge%

&ri+ae(1#he(d cor&oraion and %&ecia(i@e in &ero(eu) re-ining> -ue( &i&e(ine%> coa(

%u&&(1 and rading> oi( and ga% e2&(oraion> che)ica(% and &o(1)er%> -eri(i@er

&roducion> and ranching and -ore%r1 &roduc%/ Their annua( %a(e% are e%i)aed a 3

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.i((ion do((ar% 8Po((uer 4ach> n/d/=> and according o he Po(iica( Econo)1 Re%earch

In%iue 8637=> $och Indu%rie% ran5% a% he 3h'or% &o((uer/ ?ccording o

'''/Green&eace/org863=> %o)e o- heir recen en+iron)ena( cri)e% and -ine%

inc(ude:

In 6;> he U/S/ De&ar)en o- 0u%ice and he EP? announced ha

$och Indu%rie%* In+i%a %u.%idiar1 'ou(d &a1 a 3/ )i((ion &ena(1

and %&end )i((ion o addre%% en+iron)ena( +io(aion% a

-aci(iie% in %e+en %ae%> in an agree)en 'ih he U/S/ EP? and

De&ar)en o- 0u%ice/ Lea5% in $och#o&eraed oi( &i&e(ine% ha+e re%u(ed in )a,or %&i((% in

Minne%oa in recen 1ear%/ In Dece).er 6;> a $och &i&e(ine %&i((ed

63> ga((on% o- crude oi( in Phi(.roo5> MN and anoher in 6

%&i((ed o+er 3> ga((on% in Li(e Ka((%> MN/

In Ma1 63> $och Indu%rie% &aid 6 )i((ion o %e(e 'ih he U/S/

go+ern)en o+er a (ong#%anding %ui .rough .1 Bi(( $ochone o-

he .roher% .ough ou in 3;97-or he co)&an1*% (ong#%anding

&racice o- i((ega((1 accouning -or he a)oun o- oi( re)o+ed -ro)

-edera( and Nai+e ?)erican (and%/

In (ae 6> he co)&an1 'a% charged 'ih co+ering u& he i((ega(

re(ea%e o- ;3 on% o- he 5no'n carcinogen .en@ene -ro) i% re-iner1

in Cor&u% Chri%i> T/ Iniia((1 -acing a ;#coun indic)en and

&oenia( -ine% o- 7 )i((ion> $och cu a dea( 'ih hen#?orne1

Genera( 0ohn ?%hcro- o dro& a(( )a,or charge% in e2change -or a

gui(1 &(ea -or -a(%i-1ing docu)en%> and a6 )i((ion %e(e)en/

3


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In conc(uding hi% %ecion> i i% rea%ona.(e o %ugge% ha Dr/ $ing 'ou(d %u&&or

he en+iron)ena( ,u%ice )o+e)en/ En+iron)ena( ,u%ice 'a% on hi% agenda 'hen he

'a% %u))oned o Me)&hi% o he(& 3>7 %ri5ing %aniaion 'or5er% in 3; $ing o-en a(5ed a.ou he di%ri.uion o- 'ea(h and he )o+e)en o'ard%

de)ocraic %ocia(i%)/ He 'a% o-en ridicu(ed and (a.e(ed a co))uni%> .u here i% %o)e

indicaion ha he a&&(icaion o- $ing*% &hi(o%o&h1 i% he 5e1 o he achie+e)en o-

en+iron)ena( ,u%ice and ha hi% %hou(d .e one u(i)ae %ociea( goa(/

Dr/ $ing 'or5ed hard o achie+e a )ore .e(o+ed co))uni1 'hen he and hi%

%a-- a he Souhern Chri%ian Leader%hi& Con-erence 8SCLC= .egan o !e2&(ore creai+e

'a1% in 'hich he1 cou(d e2&and heir e--or% o de+e(o& a ,u% and .e(o+ed naiona(

3


16/35


co))uni1 .1 e%a.(i%hing &ro,ec%" in ur.an neigh.orhood%/ He and hi% %a--

de)on%raed hi% .1 &racice% and &rinci&(e% o'ard% a(( indi+idua(%> regard(e%% o-

!raceehnici1> gender> c(a%%> geogra&hic (oca(e> or an1 oher de)ogra&hic

characeri%ic%" 84arren> 4a(5er> Mac(in> Mi(e%#Richard%on> Tar+er 0a)e%> 633> &/ =/

One o- he )o% o.+iou% characeri%ic% o- he !Be(o+ed Co))uni1" i% he re%&on%e o

he )o% +u(nera.(e &o&u(aion% 'ho e2&erience high (e+e(% o- en+iron)ena(

degradaion/ ?n ana(1%i% o- he (ieraure re+ea(% ha &oor )inori1 &o&u(aion% 'i((

(i5e(1 coninue o %u--er &h1%ica((1 -ro) hea(h#re(aed en+iron)ena( cri%e% ha

con%iue a &u.(ic hea(h cri%i%/ 4arren e a(/ 8633= ad+i%ed ha here %hou(d .e a

naiona( re%&on%e o addre%% &u.(ic hea(h and ehica( cha((enge% and i i% .e(ie+ed ha

hi% a&&(ie% o en+iron)ena( degradaion> 'hich i% an e%%enia( co)&onen o- &u.(ic

hea(h/

One i)&oran characeri%ic o- 4arren e a(/*% re%earch i% ehic%> one o- he )o%

do)inan -eaure% needed o addre%% he i))en%e di%&ari1 in en+iron)ena( &o(icie%/

The1 %ugge%ed ha %&ecia( aenion %hou(d .e &aid o he )o% +u(nera.(e &o&u(aion%>

.ecau%e here are greaer di%&ariie% a)ong he) in he e2erna(iie% di%cu%%ed ear(ier in

hi% re+ie'/ 4arren e a(/ 8633= %ugge%ed:

!4hi(e here i% no con%en%u% on he .e% de-iniion -or ehic%> ehic% i%

de-ined a% a %e o- ru(e%> &rinci&(e%> +a(ue%> and idea(% o- a &aricu(ar

grou&/ Pa1ing %&ecia( aenion o +u(nera.(e &o&u(aion% i% a cenra(

ehica( cha((enge -or ho%e )a5ing hierarchica( deci%ion%J in i)e% o-

&u.(ic hea(h cri%i%" 8Inroducion=/

3


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The ca%e ha he%e auhor% )a5e i% in%ruci+e .ecau%e i i% cenra( o $ing*% %ance on

he Unied Sae%* )ora( o.(igaion o her cii@en%/ $ing .e(ie+ed ha he Unied Sae%

)u% ac 'ih hu)i(i1 and &enience .1 aiding ho%e 'ho are in need o- a%%i%ance/

Peo&(e 'ho e2&erience and are a--eced .1 en+iron)ena( degradaion are no e2&o%ed o

he%e o2in% o- heir o'n -ree 'i((/ $ing 83; i i% di--icu( -or he%e acion% o occur i- he go+ern)en doe% no

re%&ond &ro&er(1 o he i%%ue% o- en+iron)ena( in,u%ice/ I- hi% i% he ca%e> co))uniie%

a--eced .1 en+iron)ena( in,u%ice %hou(d e)&(o1 Dr/ $ing*% agenda ou(ined in he

.eginning o- hi% &a&er in order o creae a !Be(o+ed Co))uni1" and %ee5

en+iron)ena( ,u%ice/ The ne2 %ecion 'i(( de%cri.e hree e2a)&(e% o- en+iron)ena(

in,u%ice e2&erienced in (o'#inco)e co))uniie% in he Unied Sae% 'ho did and did

no ac deci%i+e(1 in he -ace o- he go+ern)en*% -ai(ure o re%&ond/

Chronicling Three Poverty-Stricken Communities

I%%ue% o- en+iron)ena( ,u%ice ha 'i(( .e chronic(ed inc(ude:

3/ ? %ucce%%-u( en+iron)ena( ,u%ice )o+e)en/6/ ? )i%%ed o&&oruni1 .1 an en+iron)ena( ,u%ice )o+e)en/7/ ?n en+iron)ena( ,u%ice )o+e)en organi@ed a% a )ode( ha e)u(ae% $ing*%

+i%ion o- he !Be(o+ed Co))uni1/"

3


18/35


Environmentl !ustice in 'ettlemn City( Cli%orni

Thi% %or1 o- a %ucce%%-u( en+iron)ena( ,u%ice )o+e)en record% he narrai+e%

o- -ar)er% in $e(e)an Ci1> a %)a(( o'n (ocaed in $ing% Coun1 in Ca(i-ornia*% San

0oauin Va((e1/ In he (ae 3;%> $e(e)an Ci1*% &o&u(aion 'a% 3>3 re%iden%> ha(-

o- 'ho) %&o5e on(1 S&ani%h/ ?ccording o Co(e and Ko%er 863=> ; o- he o'n*%

&o&u(aion i% co)&o%ed o- Laino%> &ri)ari(1 -ar)#'or5er%/ 4hen he re%iden%

di%co+ered ha Che)ica( 4a%e Manage)en> Inc/ 'aned o (ocae a o2ic 'a%e

incineraor in heir o'n> he -ar)#'or5er% cha((enged he !(arge% o2ic 'a%e du)&ing

co)&an1 in he 'or(d and 'on" 8Co(e Ko%er 63> (oc/ 37=/ Their +icor1 i% o-en

re-erred o a% !a c(a%%ic Da+id#and#Go(iah a(e/"

The re%iden% in $e(e)an Ci1 %hared heir %orie% hrough narrai+e% and did no

a((o' oher% o %&ea5 -or he)F he1 %&o5e o- heir (i+ed e2&erience% and under%ood ho'

heir o'n 'a% .eco)ing an o&en du)& -or (arge cor&oraion% 'ho (ocaed o2ic 'a%e

-aci(iie% in he cener o- heir o'n/ The Laino &o&u(aion 'a% a(read1 a'are ha

Che)ica( 4a%e Manage)en> Inc/ hou%ed one o- he 'or(d*% (arge% (and-i((% in heir

o'n/ The (and-i(( 'a% creaed in he 3;% 'ihou he con%en o- re%iden% and hidden in

he hi((% o- he %)a(( o'n/ The re%iden% on(1 -ound ou a.ou he (and-i(( !a-er reading

in he (oca( &a&er a.ou )u(i)i((ion#do((ar -ine% (e+ied again% he Che)ica( 4a%e

-aci(i1 -or +io(aion% o- en+iron)ena( (a'%" 8Co(e Ko%er> 63> (oc/ 3=/

In 3;;9> Che)ica( 4a%e Manage)en> Inc/ ae)&ed o %nea5 a o2ic 'a%e

incineraor ino he o'n 'ihou he con%en o- re%iden%> 'ho> in -ac> did no (earn

a.ou he incineraor uni( an aci+i% -ro) Green&eace> Brad(e1 ?nge(> ca((ed E%&eran@a

Ma1a> a -ar)er in $e(e)an Ci1/ ?nge( a%5ed Ma1a i- %he had heard a.ou a )eeing

39


19/35


ha 'a% a5ing &(ace in he o'n o a(5 a.ou he &(an% o .ui(d an incineraor a he

(and-i((/ ?nge( %aed ha he on(1 -ound ou a.ou he )eeing a-er he $ing% Coun1

%heri--*% o--ice ca((ed hi) o a%5 'heher Green&eace 'ou(d .e de)on%raing a he

)eeing ha nigh/ Ma1a %aed ha %he 'a% una'are o- he )eeing and 5ne' nohing

a.ou &(an% o .ui(d an incineraor/ Re%iden% in $e(e)an e)&ha%i@ed ha he1 had o

(earn a.ou hi% &ro&o%a( -ro) a Green&eace aci+i% and -e( ha Che)ica( 4a%e> Inc/

and $ing% Coun1 or %ae o--icia(% ineniona((1 -ai(ed o noi-1 he)/

Ma1a in-or)ed her neigh.or% and he1 aended he hearing -or he incineraor

&ro&o%a(/ The re%iden% 'ere %hoc5ed o (earn ha he !incineraor 'ou(d .urn u& o

39> on%63 > &ound%o- o2ic 'a%e e+er1 1ear" 8Co(e Ko%er> 63>

(oc/ 3=/ The1 'ere a&&a((ed .1 hi% nu).er and oo5 i))ediae acion/ $e(e)an Ci1

re%iden% .egan o %ha&e 'ha )irrored a !Be(o+ed Co))uni1/" ?(hough Co(e and

Ko%er 863= did no )enion Dr/ $ing*% &hi(o%o&h1 in he $e(e)an Ci1 re%iden%*

narrai+e> heir gra%% roo% )o+e)en re%e).(ed hi% %raeg1/ ?ccording o he%e auhor%>

he $e(e)an Ci1 re%iden% -or)ed a grou& ca((edEl Pue#lo para el $ire y $uga

%impio> 'hich ran%(ae% inoPeople for Clean $ir and Water/ The1 re%earched he

har)-u( e--ec% o- he incineraor and -ound a 3;9 re&or eni(ed he Cerre(( Re&or>

'hich %ugge%ed $e(e)an Ci1 re%iden% de)ogra&hic rai% re%e).(e% ho%e o-

!Rura( co))uniie%> &oor co))uniie%> co))uniie% 'ho%e re%iden% had (o'

educaiona( (e+e(%> co))uniie% ha 'ere high(1 Caho(ic> co))uniie% 'ih

-e'er han 6> re%iden%> and co))uniie% 'ho%e re%iden% 'ere e)&(o1ed in

re%ource%#e2raci+e ,o.% (i5e )ining> i).er> or agricu(ure" 8(oc/ 3


20/35


?-erEl Pue#lo)e).er% read he re&or> he1 rea(i@ed ha i de%cri.ed a o'n

+irua((1 idenica( o $e(e)an Ci1/ The re%iden% agreed ha heir %)a(( o'n had .een

argeed and de%cri.ed he re&or .1 %aing> !I %ee)ed (i5e a con%&irac1" 8Co(e Ko%er>

63> (oc/ 3


21/35


?-rican ?)erican% 'ere %en o he .ac5 o- he .u%a &o(ic1 du)&ed in he du%.in o-

hi%or1 a generaion ago" 8Co(e Ko%er> 63> (oc/ 67=/ The cii@en% o- $e(e)an Ci1

'ere ouraged .1 he .(aan di%re%&ec -or heir &eo&(e and> a-er he P(anning

Co))i%%ion +oed o a&&ro+e he incineraor> %aing ha heir hu)an righ% ca)e %econd

o Che)ica( 4a%e Manage)en/

I 'a% during hi% )eeing ha Mare% recogni@ed 'ha 'a% ha&&ening and 'h1

he P(anning Co))i%%ion had he(d he )eeing in a di%an ci1/ She %ugge%ed ha he

ci1 'ih he )o% )one1 'ou(d 'in he de.ae and> in a%%e%%ing he de)ogra&hic% in

$ing% Coun1 'here he )eeing 'a% he(d> noed ha a(( )e).er% o- he Board o-

Su&er+i%or% 'ere Cauca%ian/

The deai(ed e2&(anaion .e(o' 'i(( %ho' 'h1 $e(e)an Ci1 'a% a &ri)e

(ocaion ha 'ou(d .ene-i Che)ica( 4a%e and he %urrounding coun1/ Co(e and Ko%er

863= e2&(ained:

!$ing% Coun1> 'hich i% a.ou 'hi(e )o% o- he Laino% (i+e in anoher &ar o- he Coun1/ I- hi%

&age 'ere a )a& o- $ing% Coun1> a()o% a(( he 'hie &eo&(e 'ou(d (i+e

u& in he u&&er righ corner o- he &age> in and around he coun1 %ea o-

Han-ord/ ?nd )o% o- he Laino &eo&(e 'ou(d (i+e a he .oo) o- he

&age$e(e)an Ci1 'ou(d .e in he (o'er (e- o- he &age> and he

Che) 4a%e du)& 'ou(d .e ne2 o i/ E+er1 %ing(e o'n in $ing% Coun1

i% )a,ori1 'hie e2ce& -or $e(e)an Ci1> 'hich i% ; Laino> 'a1

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do'n in he (o'er (e- o- he &age/ Under he Ca(i-ornia (a' ha &ro+ide%

-or co)&en%aed %iing> $ing% Coun1 'a% recei+ing a.ou )i((ion &er

1ear in re+enue -ro) Che)ica( 4a%e*% &ree2i%ing du)&/ Tha )i((ion

'a% a.ou 9 &ercen o- he Coun1*% annua( .udge/ Mo% o- he )one1 i%

%&en u& near Han-ord in he 'hie co))uni1> and +er1 (i(e o- i ric5(e%

do'n o he &eo&(e o- $e(e)an Ci1/ The incineraor &ro)i%ed o a()o%

dou.(e he a2 re+enue> %o he Coun1 'ou(d .e recei+ing a.ou one#%i2h

o- i% annua( re+enue -ro) hi% %ing(e co)&an1" 8(oc/ 6=/

El Pue#lo)e).er% -i(ed a (a'%ui and 'ere %ucce%%-u( 'hen a ,udge ru(ed ha

he re%iden% 'ere no ru(1 in-or)ed a.ou he o2ic danger% de%cri.ed in he

En+iron)ena( I)&ac Re&or 8EIP=/ The grou& generaed a &eiion 'ih )ore han

3> %ignaure%> and %en o+er > &o% card% o he Board and he Kar) Bureau

de&(oring he incineraor/ Che)ica( 4a%e Manage)en decided o a&&ea( he ,udge*%

deci%ion and he (ong cour .a(e .eca)e a naiona( %or1/ The $e(e)an Ci1 re%iden%

.egan o narrae heir o'n %or1 a.ou he danger% o- he incineraor &u.(ic(1 'hi(e he

'ho(e naion 'ached/ The co))uni1 garnered a naiona( &(a-or) and on Se&e).er >

3;;7> Che)ica( 4a%e Manage)en> Inc/ reraced heir a&&(icaion o (ocae he o2ic

incineraor in $e(e)an Ci1/ The ci1 (eader% and )e).er% o-El Pue#lo'ere in-or)ed

ha he1 had in-(uenced he deci%ion in a #1ear (ong en+iron)ena( %rugg(e> 'hich i%

'h1 he %or1 o- he $e(e)an Ci1 re%iden% i% re-erred o a% !a c(a%%ic Da+id#and#

Go(iah a(e/"

The &er%ona( e%i)on1 o- $e(e)an Ci1 re%iden% andEl Pue#lo)e).er% .ear%

a %ri5ing re%e).(ance o he !Be(o+ed Co))uni1" ha Dr/ $ing en+i%ioned/ The

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co))uni1 %ood again% he ri&(e e+i(% and hru% he)%e(+e% ino he ro(e% o-

co))uni1 (eader%> &o(ic1)a5er%> and gra%% roo% e2&er%/ The1 'ere a.(e o achie+e a

%unning ouco)e hrough he a&&(icaion o- he &rinci&(e% o- non+io(ence and %ocia(

change> here.1 creaing a !Be(o+ed Co))uni1" ha co).aed he en+iron)ena(

in,u%ice% he1 -aced/

# "issed )**ortunity in Environmentl !ustice: +urricne 'trin

The e+en% %urrounding Hurricane $arina con%iue a )i%%ed o&&oruni1 o

creae an en+iron)ena( ,u%ice )o+e)en a-er he de+a%aing e--ec% o- he hurricane

on he ci1*% re%iden%/ Scho(ar% agree ha he di%a%er*% e--ec% (e- an a(read1 +u(nera.(e

co))uni1 in de%&air/ Bu((ard and 4righ 8636= %ugge%ed ha &eo&(e or &o&u(aion%

ha are +u(nera.(e ha+e no choice .u o endure he har)-u( e--ec% o- a naura( di%a%er>

'hich )a5e% i +er1 di--icu( -or co))uniie%> %uch a% ho%e a--eced .1 Hurricane

$arina> o re.ound/ Cii@en% (o% ho&e during hi% i)e> a% he1 &(eaded 'ih ?)erican%

o co)e o heir re%cueF 1e i oo5 'ee5% -or he naion o re%&ond/ Thi% %ecion doe% no

&(ace .(a)e on he +ici)% o- Hurricane $arina> .u a%5% ho' one can creae a !Be(o+ed

Co))uni1" 'hen he co))uni1 i% (e- 'ih nohing .u ho&e(e%%ne%%

Cii@en% de%cri.ed ho' he1 'ere (e- 'ih nohing> %o e2&ecing he) o creae a

!Be(o+ed Co))uni1" 'ou(d .e &re)aure> .ecau%e he1 )u% -ir% -ee( ha he1 are a

&ar o- he co))uni1/ ?ccording o he re%earch o- Harri%#Perr1 8633=> hurricane

+ici)% %&o5e a.ou heir %au% a% ?)erican cii@en% .1 ue%ioning 'heher he1 'ere

ru(1 a &ar o- he co))uni1/ ?% one $arina %ur+i+or e2&(ained:

!So)ehing ha rea((1 %ur&ri%ed )e 'a% he nu).er o- ?-rican ?)erican%

in Ne' Or(ean% 'ho had (arge ?)erican -(ag% in heir ho)e%/ 4ere he1

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-(ag% ha once dra&ed a (o+ed one*% ca%5e 4h1 did he %ur+i+or%

.egging -or he(& -ro) he U/S/ )i(iar1 -orce% -ee( i nece%%ar1 o 'a+e he

?)erican -(ag> a% o&&o%ed o a 'hie %hee or .(ood %ained o'e(%"

8Harri%#Perr1> 633> (oc/ 6;=/

Harri%#Perr1 8633= %ho'ed 'h1 'a+ing he ?)erican K(ag 'a% a criica( a%%e%%)en on

.eha(- o- he re%&onden a% i !re)ind% u% ha 'hen he1 'a+ed heir naion*% -(ag> .(ac5

Ne' Or(eanai% 'ere )a5ing a %&eci-ic c(ai) o- cii@en%hi& and .e(onging" 8(oc/ 7=/

E+idence a(%o e2i%% ha during he hurricane> ?-rican ?)erican )en 'ere

characeri@ed a% !(ooer%> ra&i%%J> and %ni&er%>" 'hi(e ?-rican ?)erican 'o)en and

chi(dren 'ere %ho'n a% !%1)&aheic +ici)% o- he %or)" 8Harri%#Perr1> 633> (oc/ 763=/

Thi% )a5e% i +er1 di--icu( -or an1one o %1)&ahi@e 'ih he +ici)% o- Hurricane

$arina .ecau%e o- he %ocia( con%rucion and .urden% &(aced u&on he)/ ?-er 'ee5% o-

'aiing -or re(ie-> he horri.(e circu)%ance% endured .1 cii@en% on(1 inen%i-ied a% he1

%rugg(ed -or he )ean% o- %ur+i+a( 'hi(e he -(ood'aer% coninued o ri%e/ Hurricane

+ici)% 'aied -or &roecion> a(( he 'hi(e ue%ioning heir o'n naiona(i1 'hen

go+ern)en o--icia(% %i(( did no re%cue he)/ 4ee5% and )onh% a-er he %or)> rea(i1

'ou(d %e in 'hen no rea( he(& arri+ed> con-ir)ing 'ha %o )an1 ?-rican ?)erican%

a(read1 5ne': heir %au% 'a% .eing %ocia((1 con%ruced hrough )a%% )edia ou(e% and

'a% a reco((ecion o- he ri&(e e+i(% a.ou 'hich Dr/ $ing %&o5e/

The %ocia( con%rucion% o- ?-rican ?)erican )en> 'o)en> and chi(dren 'ho

.eca)e he -ace o- Hurricane $arina are no a ne' &heno)enon> .u ha+e a('a1% .een

he arge &o&u(aion -or degenerai+e &o(ic1)a5ing/ The naiona( )edia con%ruced

6


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+ici)% %ocia((1 in a )anner ha i% %i)i(ar o he &rinci&(e% ou(ined .1 Schneider and

Ingra) 83;;=/ ?ccording o he%e auhor% 83;;=:

!Degenerai+e &o(ic1#)a5ing %1%e)% are characeri@ed .1 an uneua(

di%ri.uion o- &o(iica( &o'er> %ocia( con%rucion% ha %e&arae he

Ade%er+ing* -ro) he Aunde%er+ing>* and an in%iuiona( cu(ure ha

(egii)i@e% %raegic> )ani&u(ai+e> and dece&i+e &aern% o-

co))unicaion and u%e% o- &o(iica( &o'er" 8&/ 36=/

?% he1 noed> de&enden% are good cii@en% 'ho are need1/ De&enden% con%i% o-

)oher% and chi(dren> 'herea% de+ian% are o-en ho%e 'ho are ho)e(e%%> cri)ina(%> or

gang )e).er%/ In%ead o- naiona( ne'% )edia re&oring he de+a%aing ne'% ha -i-een

hundred &eo&(e (o% heir (i+e%> or he hu)an %u--ering in 'hich co))uniie%> %choo(%>

churche% and ho)e% 'ere de%ro1ed> he naiona( )edia &(a%ered &o&u(ar ne'%&a&er%

and )aga@ine% 'ih i)age% %ho'ing 'o)en> chi(dren> and )oher% %o !he1 cou(d

re&re%en +ici)i@aion in a 'a1 ha )a(e %ur+i+or% cou(d no" 8Harri%#Perr1> 633> (oc/

7=/

Socia( di%organi@aion a(%o &(a1ed a ro(e in di%ru&ing he goa(% o- Hurricane

$arina %ur+i+or%/ Socia( di%organi@aion heor1 !-ocu%e% on he e--ec% o- A5ind% o-

&(ace%* %&eci-ica((1> di--eren 1&e% o- neigh.orhood% in creaing condiion% -a+ora.(e or

un-a+ora.(e o cri)e and de(inuenc1" 8$u.rin 4ei@er> 67> &/ 7=> in 'hich

co))uniie% do no ha+e he a.i(i1 o %o(+e co)&(e2 &ro.(e)% or achie+e goa(% 'ihin

heir co))uniie% co((eci+e(1/ 4i(%on 8636= e2a)ined he dec(ining %igni-icance o- he

(o'#inco)e cii@en% .1 ana(1@ing ho' %ocia( (i-e ha% no i)&ro+ed o+er he 1ear%> .u

ha% dec(ined in ra&id %ucce%%ion%/ He .(a)ed he%e ra&id %ucce%%ion% on dec(ining

6


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co))una( (i-e or %ocia( di%organi@aion o- (i-e in &oor ur.an co))uniie%> 'hich he

c(ai)% 'ere no %een during he 3;%> %> and 'hen (o'er#> )idd(e#> and u&&er#

c(a%% ?-rican ?)erican occu&ied ?-rican ?)erican neigh.orhood%/ He %ugge%ed -urher

ha> %ince he 3;9%> %o)ehing )ore hreaening i% a5ing &(ace> .ecau%e )idd(e# and

u&&er#c(a%% ?-rican ?)erican ha+e -(ed inner ci1 co))uniie%> (ea+ing on(1 he (o'er

inco)e &o&u(aion% o inha.i cri)e#ridden ciie%> hu% adding o he in%a.i(i1

e2&erienced .1 &oor )inori1 neigh.orhood%/ 4i(%on %aed 8636=:

!The rea( cha((enge i% no on(1 o e2&(ain 'h1 hi% i% %o .u a(%o o e2&(ain

'h1 he .eha+ior &aern% in he inner ci1 oda1 di--er %o )ar5ed(1 -ro)

ho%e o- on(1 hree or -our decade% ago/ To o.%cure he%e di--erence% .1

e%che'ing he er) underc(a%%> or %o)e oher er) ha cou(d .e he(&-u( in

de%cri.ing change% in gheo .eha+ior> nor)%> and a%&iraion%> in -a+or o-

)ore neura( de%ignaion% %uch a% (o'er c(a%% or 'or5ing c(a%% i% o -ai( o

addre%% one o- he )o% i)&oran %ocia( ran%-or)aion% in recen Unied

Sae% hi%or1" 8(oc/ 39;=/

There-ore> he ca((ed u&on a )ore (i.era( audience o- %cho(ar% o -ind a %o(uion oher han

enacing %ocia( &rogra)% ha are conri.uing o 'ha he con%idered he dec(ining %ocia(

(ocaion% o- ?-rican ?)erican (i-e> 'hich ha+e (a%ing e--ec% on &oor cii@en%/

The (in5 .e'een %ocia( con%rucion% and %ocia( di%organi@aion heor1 i%

o.+iou%> .u )ore re%earch i% needed in order o under%and 'h1 cii@en% 'ho e2&erience

%e+ere (e+e(% o- rau)a> %uch a% ho%e during Hurricane $arina> ha+e )i%%ed an

o&&oruni1 o u%e he%e di%a%er% o )o.i(i@e gra%% roo% en+iron)ena( )o+e)en% -or

%ocia( change/ ?(hough hi% e2&erience di--er% grea(1 -ro) ha o- he $e(e)an Ci1

6


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re%iden%> he )edia 'aned o i((u%rae ho' a raged1 (i5e Hurricane $arina can

i))o.i(i@e cii@en% and &re+en he creaion o- a !Be(o+ed Co))uni1/" Man1 ?-rican

?)erican co))uniie% ha+e -or)ed gra%% roo% en+iron)ena( ,u%ice )o+e)en% ha

ha+e creaed %ocia( change hrough he !Be(o+ed Co))uni1F" ho'e+er> +ici)% o-

Hurricane $arina recogni@ed he ri&(e e+i(%> .u did no ha+e %u--icien re%ource% and

'ere +u(nera.(e in enacing %raegie% %i)i(ar o he &rinci&(e% o- non+io(ence> .ecau%e

heir co))uniie% 'ere ra+aged uer(1 a-er he hurricane/ The +io(ence during and a-er

he %or) creaed %ocia( con%rucion% and %ocia( di%organi@aion 'here i 'a% i)&o%%i.(e

-or he cii@en% o a&&(1 he &rinci&(e% o- %ocia( change needed o creae a !Be(o+ed

Co))uni1/"

#n environmentl &ustice movement orgni,ed s model tht emultes r. "rtin

/uther 'ing( !r.s vision o% the Beloved Community

Thi% (a% %ecion chronic(e% he e+en% o- he $e1%one &i&e(ine/ ?(hough he

deci%ion i% %i(( .eing de.aed in Congre%%> here i% a gro'ing coa(iion o- indigenou%

&eo&(e in Canada and he Unied Sae% ha i% a5ing on he Kedera( Go+ern)en .1

cha((enging hi% conro+er%ia( &i&e(ine/ The $e1%one L &i&e(ine ha% he &oenia( o

har) Nai+e ?)erican &o&u(aion% in .oh Canada and he U/S/ ?% he %or1 ha%

un-o(ded> he co((eci+e &roe%% o- co))uniie% ha re,ec he &i&e(ine de)on%rae

$ing*% +i%ion o- a !Be(o+ed Co))uni1/"

The $e1%one L &i&e(ine i% oued a% a %or1 a.ou econo)ic &ro%&eri1 -or a((

cii@en% and i% .eing &re%ened in Congre%% a% a &ro,ec ha 'i(( creae ,o.% and he(&

addre%% ?)erica*% de&endence on oi(/ Ho'e+er> en+iron)ena( aci+i%% and indigenou%

&o&u(aion% in Canada and he U/S/ c(ai) ha he &ro,ec i% an en+iron)ena( di%a%er

6


28/35


ha ha% he &oenia( o re(ea%e en+iron)ena( &o((uan% ino he %oi( and 'aer o-

indigenou% (and%/ Legi%(aion -or he $e1%one L &i&e(ine a(%o %u&&or% %ei@ing &ri+ae

(and hrough e)inen do)ain/ Thi% i% an enor)ou% en+iron)ena( concern -or he Nai+e

?)erican &eo&(e and he enire eco%&here/

Sur&ri%ing(1> U/S/ (egi%(aor% are 'or5ing 'ih Tran%Canada .1 in+o5ing he

argu)en ha he (and i% e)inen do)ain and cou(d .e a5en -ro) he indigenou% &eo&(e/

Through e)inen do)ain> he %ae ha% he righ o %ei@e &ri+ae (and 'ihou con%en

-ro) he o'ner% i- &u.(ic .ene-i% 'i(( re%u(/ 0a)e% Conca 863=> a 'rier -or&or#es

)aga@ine> indicaed ha Ne.ra%5a Go+ernor Da+id Heine)an a&&ro+ed !he $e1%one

L &i&e(ine roue> 'hich 'ou(d inc(ude a((o'ing (and o .e acuired hrough e)inen

do)ain" 8&/ = ho'e+erF a Ne.ra%5a cour %aed he (a' 'a% in direc +io(aion o- he

%ae con%iuion and o+erurned hi% deci%ion recen(1/ ? %i)i(ar &oin 'a% )ade .1

Mu-%on 8636=> 'hen he noed !ha here are (ega( o.(igaion% under 3;hcenur1 reaie%

ha a--ir)ed %o+ereign %au% o- Nai+e ?)erican ri.e%> 'hich do no &a1 %ae or

-edera( a2e% and 'hich ha+e heir o'n go+erning counci(% and &o(ice -orce%" 8&ara/ 36=/

I- (egi%(aion &a%%e% o ad+ance he $e1%one &i&e(ine> i )a1 .ring e)&orar1

re(ie- o he oi( indu%r1> .u 'i(( di%regard he ad+anage% o hu)an (i-e and he

en+iron)en o- a %o+ereign eni1/ I%hi1a)a 867= re)ar5ed> !I- en+iron)ena(#,u%ice

%cho(ar% do no ac5no'(edge he iner%ecion o- ri.a( %o+ereign1 and en+iron)ena(

,u%ice in he cone2 o- hi%orica( co(onia(i%)> he1 -ai( o addre%% he i%%ue o- co))uni1

%e(-#deer)inaion" 8&/ 36 #363=/ I 'i(( a(%o %e a &receden ha Nai+e ?)erican% are

no eni(ed o heir %o+ereign naion or o righ% .1 +irue o- heir hu)ani1/

69


29/35


4hi(e he $e1%one &i&e(ine i% %i(( .eing de.aed in Congre%% and ha% .een +oed

do'n .1 he Senae> he &ro,ec re)ain% +ia.(e -or he inco)ing 0anuar1> 63 Congre%%

ha %u&&or% he &a%%age o- he .i((/ Nonehe(e%%> indigenou% &o&u(aion% are creaing a

!Be(o+ed Co))uni1" o &roec heir %acred (and% and .uria( ground%/ The1 are doing

hi% .1 recogni@ing he ri&(e e+i(% ha $ing di%cu%%ed/ 4ih re%&ec o e)&(o1ing

non+io(en %raegie%> ho'e+er> %o)e ri.e% are &roecing heir (and .1 ca((ing he

$e1%one L +oe an !ac o- 'ar/" ?ccording o O((%ein 863=> !he Ro%e.ud Siou2

Tri.e> 'ho%e errior1 in Souh Da5oa (ie% a(ong he &ro&o%ed roue o- he &i&e(ine>

re(ea%ed a %ae)en (a% 'ee5 ca((ing congre%%iona( a&&ro+a( o- he &ro,ec an ac o- 'ar

again% our &eo&(e" 8&ara/ 3=/ The Ro%e.ud Siou2 Tri.e +o'ed o -igh .ac5 i- he

&i&e(ine i% a&&ro+ed> 'hich i% conrar1 o Dr/ $ing*% &rinci&(e% o- non+io(ence/

Ho'e+er> i i% .ringing Unied Sae% and Canadian co))uniie% ogeher o co).a he

ri&(e e+i(% ha Dr/ $ing a(5ed a.ou in hi% %&eeche%/ Thi% )aer i% %i(( un-o(ding and

re)ain% one o- he )o% i)&oran en+iron)ena( i%%ue% in he naion oda1/

In conc(u%ion> hi% &a&er re&re%en% he &oenia( e--eci+ene%% o- Dr/ $ing*%

&hi(o%o&h1 o- he !Be(o+ed Co))uni1>" .u nonehe(e%%> in no 'a1 %er+e% a% a %o(uion

o he &re%%ing i%%ue% o- en+iron)ena( in,u%ice/ In%ead> i ac% a% a guide o %e -orh

creai+e idea% a.ou ho' %ucce%%-u( gra%% roo% )o+e)en% are -or)ed and ho' an

o&&oruni1 can .e recogni@ed i- $ing*% &hi(o%o&h1 i% a5en ino con%ideraion/ There are

a nu).er o- &oin% )ade hroughou hi% &a&er ha are 'orh reieraing 'ih re%&ec o

'h1 $ing*% +i%ion %hou(d and )u% .e inroduced/ I i% an e--eci+e %raeg1 -or

co))uniie% ha need guidance/ I i% a(%o an e--eci+e )ode( ha can change he cour%e

o- %ocia( andor en+iron)ena( ,u%ice> ,u% a% i did in he Mongo)er1 Bu% Bo1co/

6;


30/35


E2a)ining Dr/ $ing*% &hi(o%o&h1 in+o(+e% &rinci&(e% o- &er%ua%ion hrough di%cu%%ion

and rea%on> educaion o- a(( )e).er% o- he co))uni1> deci%i+e acion> and %incere

co)&ro)i%e/ $ing*% heoreica( %raeg1 o- agape(o+e> a% 'e(( a% non#+io(ence hough

%ri5e%> )arche%> and &roe% are e(e)en% ha %hou(d .e e).edded 'hen cha((enging

en+iron)ena( &o(ic1 agenda% .ecau%e he1 can u%e-u((1 a--ec he achie+e)en o- a ru(1

de)ocraic (i-e -or a(( )e).er% o- %ocie1/

7


31/35


0e%erences

?de.o'a(e> M/ 869=/ Under%anding en+iron)ena( ,u%ice: Ma5ing he connecion

.e'een %u%aina.(e de+e(o&)en and %ocia( ,u%ice/ P&/ 63#6 in G/ Craig>

T/ Burchard> D/ Gordon 8Ed%/=/ Social 'ustice and Pu#lic Policy" See(ing

&airness in Diverse Societies/ Bri%o( U$: Po(ic1 Pre%%/

Begg%> 0/ 8n/d/=/ The Coa%e Theore)/ Rerie+ed No+e).er 6> 63> -ro)

h&:econo)ic%/a.ou/co)ode2erna(iie%aThe#Coa%e#Theore)/h)/

Berr1> M/ K/> Re1no%o> C/> Bracera%> 0/ C/> Ed(e1> C/> 0r/> $ir%ano'> P/ N/> Mee5%> E/ M/>

Thern%ro)> ?/ 867u%=/Not in my #ac(yard)Unied Sae%> U/S/

Co))i%%ion on Ci+i( Righ%> U/S/ Congre%%> &&/ 3#3;/ 4a%hingon> DC/:

USCCR/

Bu((ard> R/ D/> 0ohn%on> G/ S/ 86=/ En+iron)ena(i%) and &u.(ic &o(ic1:

En+iron)ena( ,u%ice: Gra%% roo% aci+i%) and i% i)&ac on &u.(ic &o(ic1

deci%ion )a5ing/'ournal of Social *ssues,+87=> #9/ doi: 3/333366#

7/39/

Bu((ard> R/ D/> 4righ> B/ 8636=/ The Wrong Complexion for Protection" !o- the

overnment .esponse to Disaster Endangers $frican $merican Communities/

$ind(e eBoo5 ReaderJ/ Ne' Yor5> NY: Ne' Yor5 Uni+er%i1 Pre%%/

Bu((ard> R/ D/ 83;;=/ 0ne1ual Protection" Environmental 'ustice and Communities of

Color/ San Kranci%co> C?: Sierra C(u. Boo5%/

Bu((ard> R/ D/ 866> 0u(1 6=/ Po+er1> &o((uion> and en+iron)ena( raci%): Sraegie% -or

.ui(ding hea(h1 and %u%aina.(e co))uniie% Scho(ar(1 &ro,ecJ/ In

73


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Environmental 'ustice .esource Center at Clar( $tlanta 0niversity/ Rerie+ed

0u(1 6> 63> -ro) h&:'''/e,rc/cau/eduPo+&o(E,/h)(/

Ca)acho> D/ E/ 83;;9=/Environmental *n2ustices, Political Struggles" .ace, Class, and

the Environment/ $ind(e eBoo5 ReaderJ/ Durha)> NC: Du5e Uni+er%i1

Pre%%/

Co(e> L/ 4/> Ko%er> S/ R/ 863=/&rom the round 0p" Environmental .acism and the

.ise of the Environmental 'ustice 3ovement/ $ind(e eBoo5 ReaderJ/ Ne'

Yor5> NY: Ne' Yor5 Uni+er%i1 Pre%%/

Conca> 0/ 863> Ke.ruar1 6=/ Tran%Canada rie% o %ei@e U/S/ (and -or $e1%one &i&e(ine

Edioria(J/&or#es/ Rerie+ed ?&ri( 7> 63> -ro)

h&:'''/-or.e%/co)%ie%,a)e%conca6366-oreign#co)&an1#rie%#o#

%ei@e#u#%#(and#-or#5e1%one#&i&e(ine/

D1%on> M/ E/ 869=/$pril 4, 567" 3artin %uther 8ing, 'r/9s Death and !o- it Changed

$merica/ $ind(e eBoo5 ReaderJ/ Ne' Yor5: Ba%ic Ci+ia% Boo5%

Green&eace/ 863> March 6;=/ $och Indu%rie% %ecre(1 -unding he c(i)ae denia(

)achine 8Pu.(icaion=/ Rerie+ed Oco.er 6;> 637> -ro) Green&eace US?:

h&:'''/green&eace/orgu%aG(o.a(u%are&or6375och#indu%rie%#

%ecre(1#-und/&d-/

Ha)i(on> 0/ T/ 83;;=/ Te%ing -or en+iron)ena( raci%): Pre,udice> &ro-i%> &o(iica(

&o'er'ournal of Policy $nalysis and 3anagement,5483=> 3#376/ doi:

3/677767/

Harri%#Perr1> M/ V/ 8633=/ Sister Citi:en" Shame, Stereotypes, and Blac( Women in

$merica/ $ind(e eBoo5 ReaderJ/ Ne' Ha+en> CT: Ya(e Uni+er%i1 Pre%%/

76
http://www.ejrc.cau.edu/PovpolEj.htmlhttp://www.ejrc.cau.edu/PovpolEj.htmlhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2014/02/24/foreign-company-tries-to-seize-u-s-land-for-keystone-pipeline/http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2014/02/24/foreign-company-tries-to-seize-u-s-land-for-keystone-pipeline/http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/Global/usa/report/2010/3/koch-industries-secretly-fund.pdfhttp://www.greenpeace.org/usa/Global/usa/report/2010/3/koch-industries-secretly-fund.pdfhttp://www.greenpeace.org/usa/Global/usa/report/2010/3/koch-industries-secretly-fund.pdfhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2014/02/24/foreign-company-tries-to-seize-u-s-land-for-keystone-pipeline/http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2014/02/24/foreign-company-tries-to-seize-u-s-land-for-keystone-pipeline/http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/Global/usa/report/2010/3/koch-industries-secretly-fund.pdfhttp://www.greenpeace.org/usa/Global/usa/report/2010/3/koch-industries-secretly-fund.pdfhttp://www.ejrc.cau.edu/PovpolEj.html


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I%hi1a)a> N/ 867=/ En+iron)ena( ,u%ice and ?)erican Indian ri.a( %o+ereign1: Ca%e

%ud1 o- a (and#u%e con-(ic in S5u(( Va((e1> Uah/$ntipode,;+83=> 33;#37;/

doi: 3/33333 -ro)

h&:'''/he5ingcener/org5ing#&hi(o%o&h1/

$ing> M/ L/ 83; NY:

Ba%ic Boo5%/

Ma%%e1> R/ 86=/ En+iron)ena( ,u%ice: Inco)e> race> and hea(h/ lo#al Development

and Environment *nstitute, Tufts 0niversity/ Rerie+ed 0u(1 6> 63> -ro)

h&:'''/a%e/u-%/edugdaeeducaionQ)aeria(%)odu(e%En+iron)ena(Q0u

%ice/&d-/

Mu-%on> S/ 8636> No+e).er 3=/ $e1%one L &i&e(ine rai%e% ri.a( concern%F

Tran%Canada*% &(an o .ur1 &ar o- i% $e1%one L &i&e(ine in O5(aho)a

-ace% Nai+e ?)erican o&&o%iion/ The Washington Post/ Rerie+ed Ma1 3>

63> -ro) h&:'''/high.ea)/co)doc3P6#77;7/h)(re-idea%1Qh-/

77
http://www.thekingcenter.org/king-philosophyhttp://www.thekingcenter.org/king-philosophyhttp://www.ase.tufts.edu/gdae/education_materials/modules/Environmental_Justice.pdfhttp://www.ase.tufts.edu/gdae/education_materials/modules/Environmental_Justice.pdfhttp://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-33975355.html?refid=easy_hfhttp://www.thekingcenter.org/king-philosophyhttp://www.ase.tufts.edu/gdae/education_materials/modules/Environmental_Justice.pdfhttp://www.ase.tufts.edu/gdae/education_materials/modules/Environmental_Justice.pdfhttp://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-33975355.html?refid=easy_hf


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%u%ce&i.(e and +u(nera.(e &o&u(aion%/'ournal of !ealth Care for the Poor

and 0nderserved,??87?=> 7#37/ doi: 3/377h&u/633/3/

4hie#Ne'%o)e> D/ L/ 863> 0anuar1 7=/Environmental and Climate 'ustice 3edia

8it8Re&/=/ Rerie+ed ?&ri( 6> 63> -ro) 4E ?CT -or En+iron)ena( 0u%ice/

4a%hingon> DC/ -i(e:(oca(ho%Legi%(ai+e O--ice 'e.%ie

h&::'''/e,(eader%hi&-oru)/org:'conen:u&(oad%:637:3:4E#?CT#E0#

C(i)ae#0u%ice#Media#$iQ+3/&d-/

Yer)an> M/ G/ 8637> ?ugu% 6;=/ $e1%one &i&e(ine i% an en+iron)ena( ,u%ice i%%ue/

Rerie+ed No+e).er > 63> -ro)

h&:'''/)o)%c(eanair-orce/org5e1%one#en+iron)ena(#,u%ice/

Yunu%> M/> 4e.er> $/ 86=/ Creating a World -ithout Poverty" Social Business and

the &uture of Capitalism/ $ind(e eBoo5 ReaderJ/ Ne' Yor5> NY: Pu.(ic

?--air%/

7
http://legislative%20office%20website/%20http/::www.ejleadershipforum.org:wp-content:uploads:2013:01:WE-ACT-EJ-Climate-Justice-Media-Kit_v1.pdfhttp://legislative%20office%20website/%20http/::www.ejleadershipforum.org:wp-content:uploads:2013:01:WE-ACT-EJ-Climate-Justice-Media-Kit_v1.pdfhttp://legislative%20office%20website/%20http/::www.ejleadershipforum.org:wp-content:uploads:2013:01:WE-ACT-EJ-Climate-Justice-Media-Kit_v1.pdfhttp://www.momscleanairforce.org/keystone-environmental-justice/http://legislative%20office%20website/%20http/::www.ejleadershipforum.org:wp-content:uploads:2013:01:WE-ACT-EJ-Climate-Justice-Media-Kit_v1.pdfhttp://legislative%20office%20website/%20http/::www.ejleadershipforum.org:wp-content:uploads:2013:01:WE-ACT-EJ-Climate-Justice-Media-Kit_v1.pdfhttp://legislative%20office%20website/%20http/::www.ejleadershipforum.org:wp-content:uploads:2013:01:WE-ACT-EJ-Climate-Justice-Media-Kit_v1.pdfhttp://www.momscleanairforce.org/keystone-environmental-justice/

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