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From Slavery to Civil Rights and Environmental Racism

September 11, 2025

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) has relaunched a global news series examining the transatlantic slave trade and its modern implications, with this installment focusing on environmental racism. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.

Who is affected

  • Black Americans and other people of color communities
  • Low-income communities of color with excessive rates of pollution-related illnesses
  • Black and Hispanic children who are more likely to develop asthma than their white peers
  • Residents of predominantly Black communities receiving different responses compared to predominantly white communities
  • Communities dealing with poor health, water contamination, or air pollution

What action is being taken

  • The National Newspaper Publishers Association is relaunching its global news feature series on the transatlantic slave trade
  • The Greenlining Institute and allies are working to design climate policies focused on underserved communities in California
  • Environmental justice advocates are addressing issues like those seen in Katrina and Flint
  • Some environmental organizations are increasing focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts

Why it matters

  • Environmental racism continues historical patterns of oppression against Black Americans
  • Studies show Black people are exposed to 1.5 times more air pollutants than whites, while Hispanics face 1.2 times the exposure
  • The EPA's enforcement of environmental regulations has dropped considerably under Pruitt, with civil rights cases particularly affected
  • Environmental boards, foundations, and campaigns lack diversity, leading to policies that value science over the well-being of Black and brown communities
  • Climate change denial often correlates with denial of racism, compounding the problem

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint