Bullard, Robert D. (1990) Dumping In Dixie Race, Class, And Environmental Quality

Bullard’s Dumping in Dixie: Race, Class, and Environmental Quality explores the disproportionate amount of pollution and other environmental stressors in black neighborhoods in the South. Bullard explains that locally unwanted land uses have historically followed a “path of least resistance,” turning to burden black and poor communities with toxic dumping sites, chemical plants, and municipal and/or hazardous waste facilities. Because low-income and minority communities have had few advocates and lobbyists at the national level, social equity and distributive impacts of pollution have not been met. Through case studies and household surveys, Bullard explores five specific cases of environmental racism that occurred in the South in the 1980s. This book is written from the perspective of an academic, sociologist, and activist. To a great extent, Bullard has pioneered the study and activism towards environmental justice. His thesis is strongly supported by his case studies and household surveys.