An analysis of Environmental Racism in the South Bronx: A discussion on the negligent, potentially racist political practices that have created conditions for dangerous air quality in the South Bronx

Abstract

I will be dissecting the historical and political conditions that have led to the disenfranchisement and environmental abuse of the South Bronx. The demographic changes of the Bronx from predominantly white to mostly of color was followed by a political and economic disinvestment. By analyzing this history, it begins to serve as an explanation for why environmental injustice in the South Bronx exists and why not much is being done about it. This research paper will reveal the overwhelming presence of waste sites, incinerators, truck depots, industrial sites, and highways that are placed near residential areas. As I was studying air pollution in the South Bronx, it was made clear to me that the air quality is poor and quite dangerous. This air pollution is partially to blame for the high cases of asthma, cardiovascular disease, other respiratory diseases or infections, cancer, etc which I will also be highlighting in this text. All of this information will help illustrate that the environmental racism in the South Bronx is a human rights abuse issue and should have more political attention because it is quite literally killing people.