A Terrible Thing to Waste: Environmental Racism and Its Assault on the American Mind
A Terrible Thing to Waste: Environmental Racism and Its Assault on the American Mind
Harriet A. Washington
The issue of environmental racism is one that many are sadly unaware of. There is a great deal of ignorance around the fact that where you live can have a significant impact on your potential for success.
Consider for example:
-
The lack of effort to remediate lead-based paint in black neighborhoods.
-
The frequency with which black neighborhoods are chosen for locally unwanted land uses.
-
That black families are more likely to live in proximity to oil and gas facilities.
-
The impact of environment and infection on fetal and early childhood development.
A result of these environmental factors is often impaired cognitive function. And the self-fulfilling prophesy that black students are often several IQ points behind their white classmates in these areas.
But as author, Harriet A. Washington, also discusses, the manner in which ways in which IQ is measured is flawed and racially slanted.
I’m just scratching the surface of an extremely well-researched book here.
The book is statistically dense and heavily footnoted, but the author’s efforts to carefully explain each point and put data in context puts the book with reach of the average reader.
I gave it 4, but it was 5 up until the section on what individuals can do about it. It’s my opinion that many of the solutions offered were unrealistic for those living in poverty such as buying bottled water or filters if the water in the area has heavy metals, etc.
Washington discusses the problems with a the quality and potential toxicity of foods sold in dollar stores, but in areas that are food deserts, dollar stores are often the only choice for groceries. She recommends home-canning, but many people can’t afford the equipment to can correctly and safely and may not have the storage space for what they can.
In a way, it reminds me of charter schools, which are technically open to everyone, but without at least one engaged parent who isn’t working three jobs are not a real option.
The next chapter provides what I consider more realistic solutions such as community involvement and political activism. It’s tough to combat an institutional problem as an individual, but there is power in numbers.
I recommend that nearly everyone read this book, it’s full of data, information and insight on the many ways that institutional racism plays out in the environment.
