Final answer:
Environmental racism is the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on minority neighborhoods. Poverty, a core factor, relates to Gans' functions of poverty, explaining how impoverished areas often bear the environmental burden. Real-world examples include the cleanup after Hurricane Katrina and the siting of hazardous waste facilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is Environmental Racism?
Environmental racism refers to the patterns in which minority group neighborhoods, especially those populated by people of color and members of low socioeconomic status, are disproportionately burdened with numerous environmental hazards. These hazards may include toxic waste facilities, garbage dumps, and other sources of pollution, which lower the quality of life and lead to increased health problems.
Environmental Racism and Gans' Functions of Poverty
Poverty often lies at the core of environmental racism, as people with fewer resources are less able to live in healthier environments. This concept is related to Herbert J. Gans' functions of poverty, which suggests that poverty serves specific functions in society. For example, poor neighborhoods often receive less political attention and societal support, making them easy targets for environmental neglect.
Real-World Instances of Environmental Racism
One real-world example of environmental racism can be found in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, where the long-term cleanup process revealed a disparity in how environmental disasters were addressed in communities of color. Another instance is the location of hazardous waste facilities—studies have found these are more likely to be situated in areas populated predominantly by people of color.