Abstract
This Article explores the systemic and disproportionate burden of environmental hazards placed on minority communities in the United States. It examines the historical and contemporary practices of environmental racism, where Communities of Color, particularly Black, Indigenous, and Latino populations, are more likely to live in areas with high levels of pollution, hazardous waste sites, and industrial facilities. The Article highlights the intersection of race, class, and environmental policy, showing how socio-political and economic factors contribute to the marginalization of these communities. It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive policy changes that address the immediate health risks and the long-term environmental injustices these communities face. It also acknowledges that “environment” means more than climate and the physical environment. Through this lens, this Article calls for greater accountability, equitable resource distribution, and more inclusive decision-making processes to ensure that all communities, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, are protected from environmental harm.
Recommended Citation
Shelly T. Page & Patricia A. Broussard,
Environmental Racism in America: Minority Communities as Dumping Grounds for Environmental Waste,
49
S. Ill. U. L.J.
199
(2025).
Available at:
https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/siulj/vol49/iss2/6