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National Black Environmental Justice Network
The environment has greatly been affected by industrialization, high energy consumption and a dependence on fossil fuel. Pollution not only takes a toll on the resources of the earth, but it directly affects the health of those with whom it comes in contact. Approximately sixty percent of African Americans live in communities with hazardous toxic waste sites.[2]Consequetly, they are disproportionately burdened by chronic illnesses and other ailments directly linked to exposure to pollution. The issue of environmental justice deals with an entanglement of racial and economic issues.

The National Black Environmental justice Network (NBEJN) is an organization which focuses on the public health, environmental hazards, and economic development within Black communities. It is comprised of various stakeholders including African American grassroots activists, community organizers, researchers, public health experts and others which combine to strive to improve life for African Americans. The organization was founded in December 1999 as a group of African American leaders met in New Orleans, Louisiana to discuss the disparity in living conditions and health of Black communities.[1]

NBEJN seeks to end the racial discrimination and environmental injustice through raising awareness of the correlation of pollution and poor health in Black communities as well as advocating clean energy research and economic alternatives. [1] It promotes “(1) safe and healthy communities; (2) sustainable development, climate justice, and clean production; (3) civil rights and equal protection laws and policies; and (4) international human rights protection.” [1]

Challenges of Black Communitites
The problems facing African Americans are a function of elevated exposure levels to harmful toxins and the economic constraints 53% of African Americans live in the U.S.’s 44 metropolitan areas in which they are more likely to be exposed to higher air toxics concentrations.[3] Urban regions tend to have much higher levels of harmful pollutants. At the same time, African Americans are more likely to be exposed to toxins at the workplace. In 2000, 32 percent of white men were employed in managerial and professional positions whereas only 18 percent of Black men had similar positions. [3] Because of the higher rate of exposure, African Americans have a greater risk of contracting illness associated with pollutants.

In addition, African Americans are more than twice as likely to be below the poverty line than white Americans.[4] Lack of financial resources places Black communities at a disadvantage as they have less access to sufficient medical care. These communities often time lack prevention measure and conditions are many times diagnosed much later than they are for whites causing a higher rate of mortality for particular ailments. NBEJN has researched and produced literature focusing on the effect of pollution on rates of cancer, asthma and lead poisoning as part of their Healthy & Safe Communities campaign. These illnesses are three of the major health concerns that African American communities face as a result of their exposure to harmful toxins.[2] Also associated with toxic pollution are learning disabilities and behavioral disabilities.

The environmental racism that exists against African Americans is the result of a huge discrepency in power. Many of their communities are targeted by chemical companies for plant sites because they have little economic and political power. Black communities generally lack the resources and voice to appeal against the powerful corporations. Locations are chosen based on where the companies will encounter the least resistance. Black communities are in a bind. Environmental issues only add to the list of institutional forces that cripple their ability rise in social standing. "Now that the communitites themselves are depressed economically, they can't even revert back to depending on the lifestyles that their grandfathers or great grandfathers had because the water is contaminated, the fish are contaminated, and if you eat it or feed it to your family, you're going to get sick. You can no longer take advantage of what's there." Environmental racism infultrates every aspect of the people's lives. They cannot escape its harmful effect, but instead must find some means of reform. It is the NBEJN's mission to raise awareness and empower African Americans to strive for healthier communities.

HEALTH FACTS

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