Injustice in Chester, PA

As the election approaches, the rhetoric of “change” is emerging as the most necessary promise to all citizens of the United States. Those suffering from environmental injustice are especially burdened under the dire state of our economy, which is a forerunning topic of this political season. Chester, Pennsylvania, named one of America’s most corrupt communities, is a prime example of the need for a change in the environmental conditions of lower-income and minority areas. Like many other poor areas in the United States, Chester suffers from a completely disproportionate exposure to environmental hazard, in the forms of waste management sites, power plants, and toxic pollution. This city has been struggling with the political system to reduce these dangers and improve the living conditions of their atmosphere. However, officials are not doing all that they can possibly do, and even as small successes are achieved, the city remains plagued by continuing injustice.
According to data collected by the Energy Justice Network, Chester has to manage more waste than what its citizens produce. The Covanta Trash Incinerator of Chester processes 34 percent of New Jersey and New York’s waste, 33 percent of Philadelphia’s waste, and 31 percent of Delaware County’s waste. This is evidence of the officials of these counties blatantly taking advantage of the lower income community. Perhaps those in positions of power assume that the Chester community is largely unknowledgeable about the disproportionate and dangerous amount of hazards it is exposed to. Without the initiative of the citizens of Chester to voice their rejection of this type of unjust treatment and organize to stop it, the corruption would continue. However, once the people realized they were suffering from modern day racism, watching their family and friends die from diseases that were products of a toxic environment, and discover that there were ways to prevent this trend, changes started to happen. In response to community activism, power plants have been shut down and other legal issues have been considered.
Yet there is still work to be done. Delores Shelton, who is running for office in Chester City Council, asserts that the necessary improvements can only be accomplished if the citizens, especially the young citizens, come together to demand change. As reflected in the efforts made in the presidential election, the voices and actions of the youth are vital forces in altering the political system which allows disparity to exist. In Chester, Republican rule has not been active in improving the environmental situation, and the Democrats have not been as driven to address this issue as expected.
If McCain is elected, will he continue his party’s tendency to neglect environmental issues that impact the people? If Obama is elected, will he fight along with the people, or will he protect his deracialized image by not focusing on environmental racism that exists? People suffering from environmental injustice can only hope that the next president will acknowledge the struggle this disaster and join in to find solutions.

For Further Reading:
Mary Prager. “Earthlust Supports Environmental Justice in Chester”. Retrieved From: http://phoenix.swarthmore.edu/2007/10/25/news/earthlust-supports-environmental-justice-in-chester. 2 November 2008.