Mary Robinson - Free Response 3

The Newport News coal terminal is a clear example of the intersection between environmental justice and industrial development. The coal terminal has affected many in the predominantly African American community. Coal dust pollution, increased vehicle traffic, and other pollutants have had negative impacts on community members’ health. There have been documented raised asthma rates and evidence of coal dust on the homes of many in the area. Historically, communities of color are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and environmental pollution even though they often bear the least responsibilities. This is directly correlated with redlining. The term means racial discrimination of any kind in housing. It derived from government maps that showed black neighborhoods, marking the area as a risky investment environment and pushing black communities into poor living conditions. Along with the risks presented to the current members of the community, many have been pushed out of their homes in the area in past decades. The removal of neighboring public housing is a reminder of the ongoing struggle for environmental justice in the Newport News area. It had profound impacts on the families who lived there, many of whom were forced to leave their homes and communities without adequate support or compensation. The displacement disrupted social networks and community cohesion. Today, there is little evidence left alluding to a community that is no longer present, aside from a few piles of bricks and an overgrown baseball field. There is a need for a more equitable approach to development that prioritizes the needs and well-being of all members of the community.