Robert Bullard, an advisor to the White House, is calling for immediate federal aid for two African American neighborhoods in Alabama affected by environmental issues.
Lee Hedgepeth reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- Robert Bullard, a White House environmental advisor, urges rapid federal help for the historically Black community of Shiloh in Alabama, facing severe flooding issues after a highway elevation.
- Residents of Shiloh and the Strain Road neighborhood in Athens experience environmental disparities, such as lack of sewer access and stormwater infrastructure, linked to structural environmental racism.
- Bullard's recent meetings with Department of Transportation officials ended in frustration, with federal actions delayed due to an ongoing civil rights probe.
Key quote:
“Failed policies and flawed infrastructure should not be acceptable based on the income or race of the impacted community."
— Catherine Coleman Flowers, Alabama environmentalist
Why this matters:
This issue sheds light on the ongoing struggle for environmental justice in historically marginalized communities. These issues not only affect the residents' immediate health and well-being but also highlight the broader national problem of infrastructure inequality based on race and class.
Be sure to read EHN’s coverage of another historically Black town in rural Alabama fighting for change after toxic waste, dumped by out-of-state developers, impacted their health.
