Understanding Environmental Racism and How It Can Make People Sick
March 14, 2023
Picture this: It’s a sunny day, the air is fresh and the weather is just right. You decide to take a walk through your neighborhood. Or maybe you take your kids or your dog to a nearby park to play.
This may sound like a typical spring afternoon, but for many people, a day like this isn’t an option. Those living in communities with overwhelming air pollution and no nearby green spaces are missing out on much more than fun in the sun — specifically, an equal opportunity for a healthy life, as these living conditions often lead to higher rates of health issues such as asthma and cancer.
This is called environmental racism, a system of oppression that often goes overlooked. For those affected by it, however, environmental racism is literally all around them, in the air they breathe and the water they drink.