Environmental Racism

Everyday, seven-year-old Juan Santiago leaves his small, dirty apartment for his walk to school. On the way through his predominantly African-American and Hispanic neighborhood he passes a toxic waste site and later, a landfill. On the other side of town, young Kelly Johnson leaves her large, comfortable house on her way to her bus stop. On her way through her predominantly White neighborhood she passes a few oak trees and some shrubbery. What is wrong …

…or group". Are the minorities affected by environmental racism given a fair chance to develop culturally and intellectually if their environment is polluted? Probably not. Environmental racism is not a topic heard in everyday conversation. Maybe it should be. Ignorance is not bliss. People need to become aware of these heinous acts that are condoned by our lawmakers and legislative bodies. Until people take a stand, this racial discrimination will continue into the next millenium.