Chapter two highlights and details the resident's of Chester, Pennsylvania struggle to have a clean, safe environment to live in. There are numerous waste plants, incinerators, toxic waste cleaners etc. in the area and more seem to flood in. Finally, the residents began taking action to stop these establishments from continuing their practices in the manner they do, while also preventing more from coming. Chester is composed of many low income African Americans, which apparently makes it okay to take large dumps in their part of the world. WRONG! They began as any small activist group would, going to city meetings and gathering with representatives from the plants. This proved to be a joke as they were belittled and blatantly lied to. They then sought legal help which looked bright, but once again they were shut down due to their race. Finally they integrated others into their group and started making some progress, but this also was not entirely successful.
Reading this case study, I was in disbelief of how obvious these people were condescended upon. I thought, if one were to be racist, the system especially, there would be some discretion involve. There was absolutely no subtly in the handling of these claims and requests. I, personally have never truly witnessed such racism, therefore it is hard for me to grasp these happenings in this country. If caucasian and wealthy people deserve a clean, safe environment to grow and thrive, other ethnicities and classes ought to be as well.
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