Both mainstream environmentalism and civil rights ignored poor communities of color

Evidence

These communities view traditional environmentalism as associated with the preservation of wildlife and wilderness—concerns that are just not central to the everyday survival of poor communities and communities of color. The Civil Rights Movement, the movement most closely aligned with these communities, also has not viewed environmental concerns as a priority. Consequently, until recently there has been a noticeable dearth of knowledge regarding environmental policy and processes of decision making in disaffected communities. Grassroots environmental justice activists recognize this neglect and are constructing a new meaning of “environmentalism” that links environmental preservation to their material environment and community. — Luke W. Cole and Sheila R. Foster, From the Ground Up, 112

Categorization

• SEED: The ‘where we live, work, play, learn’ redefinition of environment is a direct pedagogy hook for the Eco-Justice course.
• XREF: This redefinition of environment connects to eco-justice pedagogy’s place-based method and to Lo-fi/soundscape listening as method. — connects to: Environmental justice emerged from fusing civil rights racial critique with anti-toxics economic analysis — Luke W. Cole and Sheila R. Foster, From the Ground Up: Environmental…, 141; Environmental-justice demands originated partly as critique of mainstream environmental groups — Richard J. Lazarus, The Making of Environmental Law, 550; Environmental racism includes exclusion from ecology movement leadership — Rebecca A. Martusewicz, Jeff Edmundson, and John Lupinacci, EcoJustice Education: Toward Diverse,…, 1232 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Environmental-justice demands originated partly as critique of mainstream environmental groups #expands (0.85) — Richard J. Lazarus, The Making of Environmental Law, 550
• Environmental racism includes exclusion from ecology movement leadership #expands (0.80) — Rebecca A. Martusewicz, Jeff Edmundson, and John Lupinacci, EcoJustice Education, 1232
• Environmental racism comprises siting, enforcement, and exclusion of people of color from decisions #expands (0.80) — David Schlosberg, Defining Environmental Justice, 190
• Misrecognition and political exclusion structurally block poor communities’ participation in environmental decisions #expands (0.75) — David Schlosberg, Defining Environmental Justice, 248