Question

Over the centuries, there have been debates on the relationship between environmental laws or transgressions and discrimination. A variety of concepts and frameworks have been used to find the exact relationship of the same. However, in this book, Taylor provides a comprehensive overview of this controversy by helping the readers see the current environmental justice field and how its future might unfold. Taylor explores this by touring the readers through concepts and theories of environmental racism to help environmental justice scholars navigate through the debate. Hence, by studying race, environment, and space, readers can understand where we are today in terms of the environment and where we are headed shortly.

Approaching environmental racism has been a big issue in America and worldwide. In this book, Taylor outlines seven theories and concepts to approaching environmental racism by examining zoning laws and residential segregation as the primary explanation of unequal toxic exposures within minority cities (Taylor, 2014). This is also an important theoretical contribution to environmental racism because it focuses on contemporary discrimination issues in housing, mortgage financing, and gentrification. As America and the world try to understand historical and socio-spatial processes contributing to toxic exposure and racialized patterns, Taylor illustrates that racism is not an intentional act but an environmental justice issue that continually defines the legal framework through which plaintiff's should prove that their intention is discriminatory.

Racial minorities indeed live in toxic communities and cities. Most of them are unable to move away because, to some extent, they lack the mobility to move away from such toxic environments. Due to race and racism, housing options are facing constrain, making it immobile for some races to move from their places. More so, due to race and racism, there has been an increase in residential segregation issues, exposing minorities to toxic vulnerabilities. Environmental racism is a term that was developed in the 1980s during the Southern civil rights movement. This was the time when California's Farmers had protested against the health impacts of pesticides in the early 1960s, known as the grape boycott. By citing such historical events and experiences, Taylor ensures that the readers do not lose out on the scope and issues of environmental inequity in America (Taylor, 2014). More so, she provides a pathway to theorize the debate of toxic waste and politics of difference in terms of race, gender, class, and citizenship.

Researching about environmental justice and evaluating Taylor’s discussion and recommendations in the book Toxic Communities, the readers and scholars can build on society's rational production and space framework. Unequal urban geographies lead to toxic harm in cities of America such as Los Angeles. Hence, this helps readers understand why it is necessary to learn and understand environmental racism because of its multiple impacts on the health of communities and individuals residing within these setups. Minority cities and communities are exposed to hazardous chemicals, toxins, landfills, and rivers that weaken and slow down their brain development and functionality.

Therefore, throughout this book, Taylor calls upon Americans, scholars, and environmental activists to struggle and fight for improving and maintaining clean and healthy environments within these areas. This can be done through policy reformations since it is nearly impossible for minorities living in toxic communities to move away from them. Factors such as segregation, class, and discrimination have been prevalent in promoting environmental racism. Today, the evidence and arguments provided by Taylor are evident in minority cities of America (Taylor, 2014). Many minority communities live in environmentally intoxicated areas and communities but are unable to move because of racism. Hence, the book reveals a connection between environmental justice and racism in America and across the globe.

References

Taylor, D. (2014). Toxic communities. New York University Press.