Black residents living in Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley’ accuse the state of ‘genocide’ and environmental racism, claiming they are being poisoned.

Black residents living in Louisiana's 'Cancer Alley' accuse the state of 'genocide' and environmental racism, claiming they are being poisoned.

The Devastation of Cancer Alley: Environmental Injustice and the Fight for Climate Justice

Cancer Alley, an 85-mile stretch of land in Louisiana, has become synonymous with environmental devastation and systemic inequality. Dotted with petrochemical plants and industrial operations, this region has seen unprecedented levels of pollution that have resulted in detrimental health effects for its residents. What is particularly alarming is that the burden of these health consequences falls disproportionately on the Black community living in the area. This article explores the heartbreaking reality of Cancer Alley, the long-standing struggle for environmental justice, and the fight for climate justice amid a changing landscape.

The Slow Poisoning of an Entire Community

“When I was in school in the 1960s, we welcomed the first petrochemical plant with open arms,” Sharon Lavigne, a resident of St. James Parish, Louisiana, reminisces. The promise of jobs and economic growth seemed enticing at the time. However, what followed was a devastating chain of events as more and more petrochemical plants cropped up in the area, leading to unprecedented levels of pollution. Today, Lavigne estimates that she knows 40 to 50 people suffering from health complications due to the heavy industrialization.

The 85-mile stretch of land between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, known as Cancer Alley, has become a haunting symbol of environmental degradation. ProPublica revealed that some parts of Cancer Alley expose residents to a lifetime cancer risk up to 47 times higher than the acceptable standard set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The toll of this risk is alarmingly higher among Black residents, leading Lavigne to declare, “We are being poisoned, and it’s genocide. We die slowly.”

A Glimmer of Hope and a Dangerous Precedent

Amid the despair, there was a glimmer of hope when EPA Administrator Michael Regan, the first Black man to head the agency, launched a critical civil rights investigation into Cancer Alley. Residents, including Sharon Lavigne, felt their voices were finally being heard. However, their hopes were dashed when, in June, the investigation was abruptly closed following a lawsuit filed by Louisiana’s attorney general against the agency. It set a dangerous precedent that conservative states could sue the EPA, forcing the agency to drop investigations.

Nevertheless, the EPA did announce a series of significant actions to address the impacts of emissions, such as ordering facilities to improve waste management practices and proposing new rules to limit pollution. The closure of the investigation was met with disappointment by communities and organizations fighting for justice in Cancer Alley.

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Unmasking the Reality: A History of Neglect and Suppressed Data

Before the nickname “Cancer Alley” was coined in the 1980s by the Sierra Club and the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers Union, there was a lack of extensive research into cancer rates and pollution levels in the region. This lack of data allowed some to dismiss the lived experiences of residents. However, recent studies have revealed the undeniable connection between air pollution and higher cancer rates among Black communities in Louisiana. Moreover, these studies highlighted that Black neighborhoods experience seven to 21 times more emissions than white communities.

This newfound recognition of the problem has brought a sense of relief to the communities affected. It validates their experiences and shows that someone is finally paying attention to the scientific evidence. Kimberly Terrell, a research scientist at the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic, emphasizes the importance of allowing communities to be part of the scientific process, stating, “The community members know when they’re having abnormally high rates of health problems, and they experience firsthand the effects of this pollution.”

A Legacy of Injustice: Past and Present

Understanding the historical context of Cancer Alley is essential to grasp the challenges faced by the community today. St. James Parish, where Sharon Lavigne resides, was 89% Black in 2020. Many of the Black residents are descendants of enslaved people who labored on sugarcane plantations in the area. This historical background sheds light on how decision-making processes have marginalized Black communities.

Pamela Spees, a senior staff attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights, explains that the legacy of slavery and racial discrimination has allowed local officials to disproportionately approve permits for petrochemical plants in Black communities. In response to this ongoing injustice, local advocacy groups filed a federal lawsuit against the local government, calling for a moratorium on building new petrochemical plants in predominantly Black districts.

The Unseen Impact: Slow Violence and the Fight for Clean Air

The consequences of exposure to the pollution in Cancer Alley may not fully emerge for decades, creating a phenomenon known as “slow violence.” Darryl Malek-Wiley of the Sierra Club aptly describes it as an inability to connect past exposures to present health issues. Despite living in the proximity of these petrochemical plants her entire life, Sharon Lavigne only became aware of the underlying pollution when she joined a local humanitarian organization in 2015.

The psychological and physical toll of living amidst constant noise, smells, and visual reminders of industrialization takes a significant toll on the affected communities. Nevertheless, local advocates like Lavigne continue to fight against these overwhelming odds, driven by their desire for clean air, clean water, and the hope of reclaiming their land for future generations.

Amidst the devastating reality of Cancer Alley, the fight for environmental justice and climate justice rages on. The struggle is not merely about industrial pollution but also about addressing the historical inequities that have perpetuated systemic racism and environmental injustice. As communities continue to organize and demand change, it is crucial for governments, regulatory bodies, and society at large to acknowledge their voices, rectify past wrongs, and work towards a future where clean air and water are not luxuries, but rights for all.

• Louisiana
• Pollution
• Voices of Color