Environmental Racism in the Twin Cities

A geographical look at the racial divides ingrained in our neighborhoods, and the impact they have on our community.

A view of Minneapolis from Witch's Hat Tower in Prospect Park. The photo was taken by Ashley Hanson-Agwatu

Environmental Racism: An Overview

The United States has had a long history of slavery, followed by an era of segregation and Jim Crow laws. Racism has been running through its core for centuries. However, to many these are long lost relects of the past, abolished decades ago through the efforts of civil rights activists and progressives of the last century. But are they really gone? Have we really fought off the suffocating grip of Racism?

Though not apparent explicitly, as with Jim Crow laws, the effects and repercussions of these laws and others of the like are still deeply ingrained in the structure of today's society. Many cities across the nation have racially segregated neighborhoods and have been kept segregated through structural racism and environmental racism. There are many harms that result from segregated neighborhoods, but they are often ignored or not seen at all. Recognizing the invisible violence of segregation and its history is crucial to understanding current issues facing racial minorities in the United States.

Environmental racism was first described in a 1987 report titled "Toxic Waste and Race in America" written by Dr. Benjamin Chavis of the United Church of Christ Commission for Racial Justice (Wright). The term describes the relationship between race and the environment, particularly, how environmental harms such as pollutants and food deserts are unevenly distributed and disproportionately impact communities of color above white communities (Pulido). According to Harriet A. Washington, some of the main culprits that have caused and continued to perpetuate environmental and racial disparities in the US include indifference to and ignorance of the struggles of those less privileged, housing discrimination, and quite frankly, plain old racism to name a few.


 "Flint, MI"  by  -AX-  is licensed under  CC BY-NC 2.0 

Flint, Michigan is a textbook example of environmental racism in America. The water supply to an area with over 100,000 residents has been and continues to be contaminated with dangerous levels of lead. A large portion of this population is African American and over 40% of residents live below the poverty line. For years, Flint residents complained about their water, but these complaints were repeatedly ignored even with nationwide attention (Olson).

Environmental racism is also in the air even more inescapable than in the water! In Louisiana, there exists an area known as “Cancer Alley,” nicknamed this for the high rates of cancer in the area typically among its majority Black residents. This increased risk is well documented as a result of the toxins in the air from the many chemical plants in the area (Lartey).

These communities already experience disparities, and environmental racism only serves to sustains and worsens those disparities. It’s a continuous cycle of oppression with no way of separating the current common experiences of Black and minority communities in America from the history of intentional oppression they have faced. It is crucial to recognize that these patterns are real and do exist in order to break the cycle, and we in the Twin Cities are no exception.


Minneapolis and Saint Paul

Despite our idealistic belief that Minnesota is this progressive land of equality and opportunity, that is simply not the reality. The "Minnesota Paradox" is a term coined to describe the disconnect between that ideology and the refusal to acknowledge the Structural and institutional racism rife throughout Minnesota’s history (Ellis). Minneapolis was ranked the 4th worst city to live in as a Black person in America in 2019, and with good reason: our cities are extremely segregated (Waxman). As a result of the housing covenants put into place in the early 20th century baring many minorities (mainly black folks) from owning homes in certain areas of the cities, as well as the red-lining practices that barred many living in predominantly black-neighborhoods from receiving federally back mortgage loans, Black Minnesotans were excluded from taking part in homeownership, and therefore, losing the generational wealth that comes along with it. These areas were then left overcrowded and under-resourced as without wealth there is little power.

"When certain lands are seen as exploitable, the people that happen to live there are viewed as expendable... Waste will follow the path of least resistance." ~ Robert Bullard

Historical Redlining (Only data for Minneapolis)

The ramifications of this exclusion and corralling of black residents into designated communities have had devastating impacts on the social determinants of health in these communities. Things like higher rates of food deserts in these communities, less access to green space, fewer urgent care clinics, the list goes on. All are variables that have real tangible effects on the health and prosperity of those who call these spaces home (Bailey). These obstacles manifest into stark racial inequalities in income, education, and quality of health care, ultimately resulting in long-lasting effects for the communities involved.

"... Segregation via red lining created the Black ghetto and, at the same time, erased it from place. Hence, Black people are, at times, easily erased, even in spaces with which they are most intimately and historically associated" ~ Wille Jamaal Wright

By mapping out data related to various social metrics and determinants of health in the Twin Cities, the reality of the deep-seated racism throughout our communities is clearly illustrated.

Left: Black population; Right: White population (2010 US Census)

As mentioned previously, despite decades of civil rights work and activism throughout the nation, Minnesota's predominant metropolitan area is still jarringly segregated. The above map quite frankly illustrates this problem as the left map showcases a majority black population in only a few key neighborhoods along the Mississippi, while the right map further corroborates this as there is an obvious, sharp decrease in the white population around those same areas.

The map below highlights population density and poverty. As one can see, a pattern is appearing along a zone similar to the previous map comprising of neighborhoods near and around the Mississippi. Also included are areas such as the Midway neighborhoods that straddle University Ave. These are areas with extremely diverse populations home to many minority groups and did not show up on the previous map, as it solely compared Black and White populations. Still, take note of this same pattern as it is evident throughout other maps we will continue to explore.

Left: Population density; Right: Poverty

These maps showcase the alarming truth of how black and minority populations were corralled into the areas they now reside, which then conveniently allowed for the future degradation of those communities by institutions of power.

"African Americans who earn US$50,000 - 60,000 annually — solidly middle class — are exposed to much higher levels of industrial chemicals, air pollutants and poisonous heavy metals, as well as pathogens, than are profoundly poor white people with annual incomes of $10,000. The disparity exists across both urban and rural areas" ~ Harriet A.Washington


Hazardous Sites and Polluted Water

Left: Hazardous waste site; Right: Polluted water locations

Above is a map of hazardous sites and polluted waters in the Twin Cities. Many of these sites are concentrated in areas with predominantly Black residents. This is not a matter of coincidence, these toxic sites did not come first to these areas. Studies show that hazardous sites are more often than not placed in communities with an already high concentration of people of color (Mohai & Saha). Industries and manufacturing require sites to dump the toxins they produce, whether they choose the air, land, or water as their waste bin, it is usually the air, land, or water belonging to communities of color. These toxins damage the environment and create unhealthy living conditions by contributing to a shortage of clean drinking water or polluting the air with chemical fumes from a nearby plant (Pulido).

"Air Quality Risk" by The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MCPA) evaluates the disproportionate effects of air pollution in Minnesota. They conclude that 91% of Minnesotan communities of color and indigenous communities and 46% of low-income communities are above the air pollution-related risk guidelines compared to 31% statewide.

6% of Minnesotans live near one or more industrial facilities, and 14% and 9% of them being communities of color and low-class communities, respectively. The graph below illustrates the relative risk levels of other kinds of air pollution that disproportionately affects communities of color and those who pay lower rent as compared to white residents and those who have a higher home value (The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency).

"Air Quality Risk as Compared to Race and Class" by The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency


Food Deserts or Food Swamps?

Neighborhoods with predominantly lower-class residents lack healthy, high-quality food stores and are overrun with low-quality food options. Additionally, with people living in racially segregated neighborhoods being more likely to be economically disadvantaged, the concerns with residential segregation, poverty, and food deserts become entangled (Bower). This is why we see both areas with a large portion of residents of color and residents of lower socioeconomic status making up food deserts. Neighborhoods in the Twin Cities with a higher concentration of Black residents have few if any supermarkets, yet they are inundated with grocers that quite often do not stock healthy foods, and if they do, they're not cheap (Bower)! In addition to fewer options for healthy groceries, these neighborhoods tend to be stocked full of health destroyers like fast-food restaurants, liquor stores, and tobacco shops, which is why alternatively they have been dubbed "food swamps" (Washington).

Food Deserts

The map above is meant to show populations living within a reasonable distance from a supermarket. The green bubbles represent impoverished populations living within a one-mile walk from a supermarket, while the red dots indicate those of the same population pool who live more than a mile away, but within a 10-minute drive. However, a 10-minute drive does not constitute adequate access to healthy food options as it requires some reliable form of transportation.

While we can certainly applaud the accessibility seen in many minority and impoverished communities near the river, it is important to keep mind of those areas lacking access, most strikingly North Minneapolis and the Dayton's Bluff neighborhood in Saint Paul.


Health Care Access

Location of urgent care clinics compared to population map.

The map above shows locations of urgent care clinics in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area juxtaposed to population density. Upon quick glance, a problem becomes evident as very few clinics are located in the most densely populated neighborhoods; what some might term a healthcare desert (Beckers). While there are other hospitals located within the vicinity, urgent care facilities are of greater importance to lower-income communities as many living within these neighborhoods lack health insurance coverage and access to a primary care physician (Williams). Distance is also a factor that plays a pertinent role in this discussion as it can be a deterrent for those with mobility hindrances or even those with a lack of reliable transportation (Williams).

This lack of access to general health care in low-income and minority communities in St.Paul specifically has been further exacerbated recently, as this past October Fairview Health announced the closure of two of their facilities located in Downtown St.Paul, Bethesda rehabilitation clinic, and St. Joseph's emergency department (Sepic). Along with 16 other locations across the rest of Minnesota and into Wisconsin (Paavola).

"Primary care physicians are especially hard to find in predominantly black and/or low-income hispanic metropolitan neighborhoods" ~Health Behaviour News Service


What is being done to tackle environmental racism in the Twin CIties?

Appetite For Change | Bush Prize

Appetite for Change is a non-profit organization addressing food insecurity in North Minneapolis. They strive to build health, wealth, and social change by creating a food system that makes healthy and sustainable foods more accessible to the community. They have delivered over 5000 fresh meals each week since April of this year, to 26 sites in North Minneapolis and surrounding areas. In addition to focusing on providing meals, they also strive to instill life-long healthy habits in the community. One way they have done this is via hosting free workshops that gather those of the community together to cook, eat, and learn how to grow their own food! These workshops also serve as a round table for the community to get together and discuss the kind of policy changes they would like to see and be involved.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, referenced above, monitors and enforces environmental policies that help regulate the quality of our environment, as well as provides assistance throughout the areas, like helping clean up dangerous spills and leaks. They also offer opportunities for residents to volunteer and be involved in the effort through their many programs like the Lake and Stream Monitoring Program and Citizen Science Programs.

Mapping Prejudice Volunteer Training Video

The Mapping Prejudice project, also referenced earlier in this piece, is an ongoing effort to trace and map the remnants of racial covenants in deeds all throughout the state. As one can imagine, the tasks of going through hundreds of thousands of property deeds around the cities is a monumental task, one that requires the generous efforts of many to complete. If you are interested in helping build the map, the project has an informational page and training video for those who wish to get involved and make a difference!

Sources

Bailey, Zinzi D., et al. “Structural Racism and Health Inequities in the USA: Evidence and Interventions.” The Lancet, vol. 389, no. 10077, ser. 3, 8 Apr. 2017, pp. 1453–1463. 3, doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30569-X. 

Bower, Kelly M et al. “The intersection of neighborhood racial segregation, poverty, and urbanicity and its impact on food store availability in the United States.” Preventive medicine vol. 58 (2014): 33-9. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.10.010

Bullard, Robert. “ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM.” Journal of International Affairs (New York), vol. 73, no. 1, 2020, pp. 237–242.

“Disproportionate Impacts in Minnesota.” Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 11 Oct. 2019, www.pca.state.mn.us/air/disproportionate-impacts-minnesota. 

Lartey, Jamiles, et al. “'Almost Every Household Has Someone That Has Died from Cancer'.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 6 May 2019, www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2019/may/06/cancertown-louisana-reserve-special-report. 

Le, Sidney T, and Renee Y Hsia. “Community characteristics associated with where urgent care centers are located: a cross-sectional analysis.” BMJ open vol. 6,4 e010663. 7 Apr. 2016, doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010663

Mohai, Paul and Saha, Robin. "Which came first, people or pollution? Assessing the disparate siting and post-siting demographic change hypotheses of environmental injustice" (2015). Environmental Studies Faculty Publications. 7.

Olson, Erik and Fredinick, Kristi. What’s in Your Water? Flint and Beyond. Natural Resources Defence Council, 2016.

Paavola, Alia. “M Health Fairview to Lay off 900, Close Hospital ED: Citing a Need to Offset Financial Losses, Minneapolis-Based M Health Fairview Said It Plans to Downsize Its Hospital and Clinic Operations and Reduce Its Workforce by 900, According to the StarTribune. .” Becker's Hospital Review, Becker's Healthcare, 5 Oct. 2020, www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/m-health-fairview-to-lay-off-900-close-hospital-ed.html. 

Pulido, Laura. “Geographies of race and ethnicity: environmental racism, racial capitalism and state-sanctioned violence”, Progress in Human Geography, 41,4, 2017:524-533. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0309132516646495

Sepic, Matt. “Bethesda, St. Joseph's Hospitals to Close.” MPR News, Minnesota Public Radio, 6 Oct. 2020, www.mprnews.org/story/2020/10/06/two-st-paul-hospitals-to-close-psychiatric-beds-reduced-in-fairviews-shakeup. 

Turner, Rita. “The Slow Poisoning of Black Bodies: A Lesson in Environmental Racism and Hidden Violence.” Meridians (Middletown, Conn.), vol. 15, no. 1, 2016, pp. 189–204.

Washington, Harriet A. “How Environmental Racism Fuels Pandemics.” Nature (London), vol. 581, no. 7808, 2020, p. 241.

Waxman, Olivia B. “George Floyd's Death and the History of Race in Minneapolis.” Time, Time, 28 May 2020, time.com/5844030/george-floyd-minneapolis-history/.

“Where Are the ‘Healthcare Deserts’ Located?: New Research into Healthcare Deserts Finds That Primary Care Physicians Are Especially Hard to Find in Predominantly Black and/or Low-Income Hispanic Metropolitan Neighborhoods.” Becker's Hospital Review, Becker's Healthcare, 7 May 2012, www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/where-are-the-qhealthcare-desertsq-located.html. 

Williams, Joseph P. “Code Red: The Grim State of Urban Hospitals.” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, 10 July 2019, www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2019-07-10/poor-minorities-bear-the-brunt-as-urban-hospitals-close.

Wright, Willie Jamaal. “As Above, So Below: Anti-Black Violence as Environmental Racism.” Antipode, 2018, pp. Antipode, 2018–09-24.

 "Flint, MI"  by  -AX-  is licensed under  CC BY-NC 2.0 

"Air Quality Risk" by The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

"Air Quality Risk as Compared to Race and Class" by The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency