Environmental Justice

As a consequence of modern culture and society, particularly in the United States, there are disparities in health, separated by ethnic and racial lines. These articles helped exemplify the realities of those ethnic and racial health divides.

The social determinants of health which serve to place individuals in positions where their personal health is either harmed or promoted, are those social determinants such as income, education, and community resources. This is universal to all peoples, regardless of race or ethnicity. In general, those who are poorer, uneducated, or lack proper resources for health in their communities, will have poorer health than those who are richer, educated, and have access to health resources. This is a reality of our modern culture and society which should be combatted, so that all people are given the best chance to have and maintain a healthy life, rather than just those who can afford it.

However, more importantly, and pertaining to what these articles truly wish to convey, is that minorities in the United States, and elsewhere, disproportionately suffer from poorer health than their fellow countrymen. In particular, African-Americans suffer poorer health and poorer health outcomes when compared to all other racial or ethnic groups in the United States, except in some cases where Native Americans suffer the greatest disparities in health and health outcomes. Moreover, regardless of whether an African American is rich or educated, they will typically still be without the resources which promote health, and have poorer health and health outcomes than others races and ethcnicities.

The reasons for why this disparity exist among African-American communities is hotly debated. Many posit that this is the result of a society built upon racism, where the White majority has been given access to those resources which promote health, while African-American's health has been largely neglected. There is a plethora of evidence to suggest that racism, in particular institutional racism, plays a large role in the poor health and health outcomes of African Americans, and which these articles provided.

Institutionalized racism is a term used to describe a system of governance which is designed to benefit certain races over others. Considering that the United States was founded with African-American chattel slavery as an essential component of its economy, it comes to little surprise to see that such a system would neglect African-American's health. Institutionalized racism is often cited as the culprit in the poor health and health outcomes of African-American communities.

The racial injustice which is seen in such incidences as Flint, Michigan, and Richmond, California, should move us to confront institutionalized racism, and promote environmental justice. Environmental justice is a means to bring equality and equity to the African-American community, and all communities which suffer disproportionate health and health outcomes. If the United States is truly a country which believes "all men (and women) are created equal," then actions should be taken to ensure that this ideal comes to fruition.

In this way, Black Lives Matter, is a movement and reaction to years of neglect. The African-American community, and their plights, have largely been ignored by the government which is bound to protect them.  Instead, it appears that the system itself is working directly against African-Americans. Therefore, it is understandable that many African-Americans, and those who support African-Americans, are angry. In a country which prides itself on freedom and freedom of expression, this movement should be respected as a truly democratic movement aimed at giving a voice to the people. In this case, Black Lives Matter gives a voice to African-Americans, and brings attention to a sore spot in the American psyche.

However, it should be noted, that Black Lives Matter is not universally accepted or appreciated by all African-Americans. It is not a movement which has universally accepted tenants or stances, and is varied and reinterpretted by the opinions of each individual. In my opinion, it would be somewhat prejudiced to assume that this movement represents all African-Americans, in the same way as it would be prejudiced to assume that the counter movement, Blue Live Matter, represents all police officers, or that the West Borough Baptist Church represents all Christianity. Nonetheless, the racial disparities in health and health outcomes are important, and the idea that many who support Black Lives Matter attempt to convey, is that the system does not appear to appreciate or care for black lives. This concept, regardless of whether it is associated with the movement, Black Lives Matter, is real and important to tackle.