Environmental Racism Highlights America's Lack of Empathy | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Environmental Racism Highlights America's Lack of Empathy

Environmental racism and environmental justice are movements that showcase America's need for compassion.

58
Environmental Racism Highlights America's Lack of Empathy
"Environmental Justice for All" by Tony Tobias on Flickr

Environmental racism and environmental justice are topics not only integral to environmental issues but to American culture in general. The Flint water crisis and the continuation of the Dakota Access Pipeline and Keystone XL Pipeline are recent examples, as their ongoing statuses endanger the lives of minorities and their communities. As a country that prides itself on being #1, why do we display such a shocking lack of empathy toward our minority groups? Why do we allow such passive-aggressive tactics, such as unclean water and appropriation of land, to continue?

In an article published by The Goldman Environmental Prize, Jacqueline Patterson, the Environmental and Climate Justice Director for the NAACP, even spoke on how communities of color suffer:

“An African American child is three times more likely to go into the emergency room for an asthma attack than a white child, and twice as likely to die from asthma attacks as a white child. African Americans are more likely to die from lung disease, but less likely to smoke. When we did a road tour to visit the communities that were impacted by coal pollution, we found many anecdotal stories of people saying, yes, my husband, my father, my wife died of lung cancer and never smoked a day in her life. And these are people who are living within three miles of the coal-fired power plants we visited.”

Some may question then: why don't these individuals simply move away from the coal-fired power plants? Unfortunately, this question fails to consider how not only African Americans, but a majority of minorites, cannot leave their lower socioeconomic status. America simply refuses them opportunities in education, jobs, and other modes of income generation after generation. Indeed, "discrimination and marginalization are sometimes barriers for ethnic and racial minorities seeking to escape poverty," a quote by Jacqueline Corcoran & Ann Nichols-Casebolt  on the American Psychology Association's website.

As a consequence, America's lack of empathy toward minority groups manifests itself further. Within environmental racism lies our country's discrimination, marginalization, and social deprivation. Even further, we have to ask ourselves, why has public outcry toward the Flint water crisis and even the Dakota Access Pipeline and Keystone XL Pipeline died down? Specifically, when these issue are still very much alive and can be fixed?

As a proud country, we can't divide ourselves so thoroughly. More than that, we have to foster more compassion, specifically toward our disadvantaged neighbors. And finally, if we don't fight for the Environmental Justice Movement, we won't see a change.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

198349
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

19730
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

461535
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28676
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments