Accountability

A big theme throughout the articles of the last reading is accountability. Environmental injustice was occurring and nothing was happening about it. Minority groups were being setup for exposure to harmful chemicals and had no say. It was not until people took a stance and decided that they were no longer going to sit back and be oppressed for anything to occur towards a change. The city and state were knowingly putting disadvantaged groups in jeopardy, and what I found alarming was that even when activist groups protested and petitioned it took much longer for action to be taken in communities with largely minority populations compared to White communities. The city and state was happy to disregard the situation. It was only when groups like WE ACT came to the fore front and sued or protested, did the government finally step in and take action. The government and companies responsible for contamination were not taking responsibility for their actions, they rather people be exposed to contaminants than pay to fix the problem. They were not holding themselves accountable, and then only did so when forced.

I am sure you have all heard the story of Erin Brockovich, or seen the movie. But the case she fought so hard to investigate and bring to justice directly relates to the articles of the reading. She saw the people of small town Hinkley, California were very sick and not getting better. She began to investigate the situation and found that Pacific Gas & Electric had been leaking the toxic Chromium 6 into the ground water for decades. She fought long and hard to bring attention to the situation and prosecute PG&E for the harm they had caused the 600 families of this community. Hinkley was a small town whose people were on the lower end of the income gradient. Brockovich persuaded her law firm to take action against the company and PG&E finally settled for $333 million, however, not admitting guilt. Through her work she forced the company to take responsibility for their action. It is funny to note however that the company did not admit guilt.

People try so hard to cover up the harm they cause others, but by settling the case they are showing that they are responsible for the sickness within this community. If people and companies were to hold themselves accountable, many of these problems, controversies, and lawsuits could be avoided. Also, the health of the communities would be better and the racial disparities would not be so great.