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Community Perspectives and Environmental Justice Issues in an Unincorporated Black Township

Author

Listed:
  • Teriana Moore

    (Departments of Political Science and Gender and Race Studies and Sociology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA)

  • Pamela Payne-Foster

    (Institute for Rural Health Research, Community Medicine and Population Health, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
    Alabama Research Institute on Aging, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA)

  • JoAnn S. Oliver

    (Alabama Research Institute on Aging, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
    Capstone College of Nursing, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA)

  • Ellen Griffith Spears

    (American Studies and New College, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA)

  • Christopher H. Spencer

    (Black Belt Community Foundation, Selma, AL 36702, USA)

  • Jacqueline Maye

    (Holt Project Advisory, Holt, AL 35404, USA)

  • Rebecca S. Allen

    (Alabama Research Institute on Aging, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
    Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, P.O. Box 870348, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA)

Abstract

Through each era, the southeastern United States was and continues to be an epicenter for industrial companies to establish factories and plants. Though this development attracts economic gain for the companies and surrounding areas, low-income and predominantly Black communities bear the brunt of the environmental consequences while frequently remaining stagnant economically. This qualitative, community-based participatory research study grew out of a larger study designed to recruit lay community advisors from communities labeled as hard to reach in research. We focus on Holt, Alabama, an unincorporated community in the southeastern United States region. The primary goal of this research inquiry is to thematically analyze community interviews stemming from a topic of research, practice, and policy interest to community members: the effects of industrial pollution on Holt citizens’ daily lives. Content analysis of focus-group transcripts revealed four emergent themes, including: (1) how the pollution affects their water, soil, and air quality; (2) illness related to pollution; (3) community engagement and empowerment; and (4) suggestions regarding what government officials could do to address this area of need. Building upon the prior research regarding environmental justice, human flourishing, and the definition of nurturing environments, suggestions are made regarding the creation, implementation, and maintenance of project advisory councils focused on issues of environmental justice. Community advocacy and empowerment as well as community and scientific partnerships are imperative to alleviate problems associated with environmental justice.

Suggested Citation

  • Teriana Moore & Pamela Payne-Foster & JoAnn S. Oliver & Ellen Griffith Spears & Christopher H. Spencer & Jacqueline Maye & Rebecca S. Allen, 2022. "Community Perspectives and Environmental Justice Issues in an Unincorporated Black Township," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-10, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:12:p:7490-:d:842203
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mohai, P. & Lantz, P.M. & Morenoff, J. & House, J.S. & Mero, R.P., 2009. "Racial and socioeconomic disparities in residential proximity to polluting industrial facilities: evidence from the Americans' Changing Lives Study," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99(S3), pages 649-656.
    2. Daleniece Higgins Jones & Xinhua Yu & Qian Guo & Xiaoli Duan & Chunrong Jia, 2022. "Racial Disparities in the Heavy Metal Contamination of Urban Soil in the Southeastern United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-12, January.
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    1. Heather Lochotzki & Karen Patricia Williams & Cynthia G. Colen & Olorunfemi Adetona & Charleta B. Tavares & Georgina M. Ginn & Rejeana Haynes & Wansoo Im & Tanya Bils & Darryl B. Hood, 2022. "A Framework for Interfacing and Partnering with Environmental Justice Communities as a Prelude to Human Health and Hazard Identification in the Vulnerable Census Tracts of Columbus, Ohio," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-18, October.

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