Environmental racism is the overwhelming likelihood that hazardous waste sites, landfills, incinerators, and polluting industries are located in poorer communities, especially communities inhabited mainly by African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asians, migrant farm workers, and the working poor. In Mississippi, for example, people of color represent 64 percent of residents near toxic facilities- but just 37 percent of the state population. Minorities are particularly vulnerable because they are perceived as weak and passive citizens who will not fight back against the poisoning of their neighborhoods in fear that it may jeopardize jobs and economic survival. It is an issue that affects everyone. .
Even in New York, environmental racism and environmental injustice is a huge issue that is widely petitioned against. According to the guest speaker that we had in class, there are areas across New York City including the Bronx and some of the poorer neighborhoods that suffer from high levels of asthma in children in relation to toxic facilities that neighbor their communities. .
For Toxic facilities, the interests of locating to poorer communities would be that it is easier to locate to poorer neighborhoods than more wealthy communities simply because poorer communities would be easier to take advantage of. It would also save costs and would be cheaper to dump in poorer communities. These facilities would also save in rent and space since it would be cheaper to locate to these areas. Basically, in the end, it's all about money- more money for factories and waste facilities and a less safe environment for neighboring communities. .
Presently, there is a movement known as "environmental justice" that works for improving environments for communities and is especially keen to the injustices that occur when a particular segment of the population such as the poor or minority groups, bears a disproportionate share of exposure to environmental hazards.