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Description

This paper examines the concept of environmental racism in the context of harmful pesticides and their disproportionate use in prominently Hispanic communities. These communities continue to face the consequences of exposure despite their activism. The concept of environmental patriotism, as proposed by Anne Todd in Communicating Environmental Patriotism: A Rhetorical History of the American Environmental Movement (2013), is incompatible with the data that supports the existence of environmental racism. In this piece Todd argues that channeling the pride one feels for their country is an effective way of promoting environmental efforts amongst individual citizens. The data to be presented denies the possibility of this approach, as patriotism becomes a difficult morale to promote when the unequal distribution of environmental hazards exists. Ultimately, this paper argues that when aware of the environmental harm being done to them, communities such as those of the agricultural Salinas Valley are unlikely to ascribe to the theoretical framework of environmental patriotism.

Course and Instructor

HCOM 349 Patrick Belanger

Keywords

Environmental Racism, Environmental Patriotism, Racial Injustice

Disciplines

Environmental Law | Environmental Studies | Social Justice

Comments

Professor Patrick Belanger recommended I submit this work.

[2025 Honorable Mention] Racial Marginalization and Pesticide Exposure in Monterey County

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