Item Information
Title
"Ben Chavis Charges ‘Environmental Racism,'" April 23, 1987; The Charlotte Post, Charlotte, NC
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Type
still image
Identifier
https://exhibits.lib.unc.edu/items/show/7443
Text
Ben Chavis Charges “Environmental Racism”
Leveling the charge of “environmental racism”, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., executive director of the Commission for Racial Justice of the 1.7-million member United Church of Christ, declared that their just-released national report showed thar racism may be a factor in the location of hazardous waste sites throughout the United States. The report, “Toxic Wastes and Race In The United States: A National report on the Racial and Socio-Economic Characteristics of Communities With Hazardous Waste Sites,” was released at a press conference held Wednesday, April 15, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
The report revealed that three out of every five African American and Hispanic Americans live in communities with uncontrolled (abandoned) toxic waste sites and that the average number of racial and ethnic persons who live in communities without such facilities. In addition, in 10 major metropolitan areas more than 90% of the African American population lived in areas with uncontrolled toxic waste sites. In fact, the largest toxic waste facility in the nation, which receives waste from over 45 states and several foreign countries, is located in Emelle, Alabama, whose population is 85% African American.
At the press conference Dr. Chavis called the situation “an insidious form of institutionalized racism. It is, in effect, environmental racism.” He added, “Given the disproportionate effect of these wastes on racial and ethnic communities, this has become not only an environmental issue, but a racial justice issue as well.” Dr. Chavis also charged the Reagan Administration and its Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with “malignant neglect” and said this was “totally consistent with the Reagan Administration’s general non-enforcement policy, particularly in the area of civil rights.”
The Commission has called on President Reagan to take immediate corrective action in line with the report’s recommendations.
[photo caption] Charging “environmental racism,” The Rev. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. (at podium), executive director of the Commission for Rcial Justice of the 1.7 million member United Chirch of Christ, stated their just-released national report revealed that racism may be a factor in the location of hazardous waste sites throughout the U.S. With him at the National Press Club press conference in Washington, DC, are Charles Lee seated at Dr. Chavis’ left), other members of the Commission and consultants to the project.
Leveling the charge of “environmental racism”, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., executive director of the Commission for Racial Justice of the 1.7-million member United Church of Christ, declared that their just-released national report showed thar racism may be a factor in the location of hazardous waste sites throughout the United States. The report, “Toxic Wastes and Race In The United States: A National report on the Racial and Socio-Economic Characteristics of Communities With Hazardous Waste Sites,” was released at a press conference held Wednesday, April 15, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
The report revealed that three out of every five African American and Hispanic Americans live in communities with uncontrolled (abandoned) toxic waste sites and that the average number of racial and ethnic persons who live in communities without such facilities. In addition, in 10 major metropolitan areas more than 90% of the African American population lived in areas with uncontrolled toxic waste sites. In fact, the largest toxic waste facility in the nation, which receives waste from over 45 states and several foreign countries, is located in Emelle, Alabama, whose population is 85% African American.
At the press conference Dr. Chavis called the situation “an insidious form of institutionalized racism. It is, in effect, environmental racism.” He added, “Given the disproportionate effect of these wastes on racial and ethnic communities, this has become not only an environmental issue, but a racial justice issue as well.” Dr. Chavis also charged the Reagan Administration and its Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with “malignant neglect” and said this was “totally consistent with the Reagan Administration’s general non-enforcement policy, particularly in the area of civil rights.”
The Commission has called on President Reagan to take immediate corrective action in line with the report’s recommendations.
[photo caption] Charging “environmental racism,” The Rev. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. (at podium), executive director of the Commission for Rcial Justice of the 1.7 million member United Chirch of Christ, stated their just-released national report revealed that racism may be a factor in the location of hazardous waste sites throughout the U.S. With him at the National Press Club press conference in Washington, DC, are Charles Lee seated at Dr. Chavis’ left), other members of the Commission and consultants to the project.
Original Format
newspaper article