ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
What is Redlining?
Redlining was the discriminatory practice of color-coding neighborhoods to evaluate risk for home loans. Through redlining, neighborhood maps consistently characterized African American and other communities of color as risky, preventing them from home ownership. Discriminatory lending was also practiced by the Federal Housing Administration. These unjust policies prevented wealth accumulation through property ownership, as property values in impacted communities remain depressed relative to the surrounding areas.
How Does it Contribute to Community Contamination?
Historical redlining and discriminatory land use policies have resulted in the concentration of polluting and extractive industries in economically and politically disadvantaged communities and communities of color. As a result, already impoverished communities suffer compounding economic and environmental injustices and detrimental health impacts as harmful industries are concentrated over decades in the same communities. SCSJ assists communities in fighting against community contamination and mitigating legacy pollution from landfill expansions, water and air pollution, and the destruction of places of cultural and historical significance.
SCSJ also offers communications capabilities and support to community-based organizations to amplify impacted residents’ voices in protecting their communities from contamination and exploitation.
Community Contamination Resources
Sampson County Landfill Origins Explorer
This tool allows users to visualize all of the NC counties that have contributed to the Sampson County regional landfill since 2005.
Fact Sheet: Bingham Park Remediation
This fact sheet details the city of Greensboro's three proposed options for disposal of contaminated soil from Bingham Park.
Southern Gumption: The Toxic Tour
"Southern Gumption" season 1 episode 2 takes listeners on a journey down to Sampson County, NC, navigating its roads and histories on a 'toxic tour' of environmental injustice.
Community Contamination News
SCSJ Joins Fight Against Toxic Waste Facilities in Miami-Dade County
DURHAM, N.C. (Sept. 20, 2024) — Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ) stands united with our partners in urging the rejection of new waste incinerator projects in Miami-Dade County. Historically, marginalized communities have borne the brunt of toxic waste facilities, suffering from severe health impacts and environmental destruction.
Read More SCSJ Joins Fight Against Toxic Waste Facilities in Miami-Dade County
SCSJ Commends EJAC for Addressing West Badin Pollution Concerns
DURHAM, N.C. (Sept. 13, 2024) — Governor Roy Cooper’s Environmental Justice Advisory Council (EJAC) will hold its final public meeting in Stanly County, a decision that honors the years of dedicated work by community members and advocates fighting local injustices.
Read More SCSJ Commends EJAC for Addressing West Badin Pollution Concerns
Greensboro City Council Bows to Community Demands for More Input Over Bingham Park Toxic Waste Removal
GREENSBORO, N.C. (July 19, 2024) — The Greensboro City Council has cancelled its July 23 meeting on the contaminated waste from the Bingham Park cleanup project in response to extensive joint community organizing in opposition, and it will consider options beyond taking toxic waste from one community of color and dumping it in another. A…
Read More Greensboro City Council Bows to Community Demands for More Input Over Bingham Park Toxic Waste Removal