Date of Award

4-21-2009

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Sociology

First Advisor

Dr. Jenell Williams Paris

Second Advisor

Dr. John Eby

Third Advisor

Dr. David Foster

Abstract

In the United States, a disproportionate number of hazardous waste sites, factories, and other polluters are placed in or near communities with a large racial minority population and low socioeconomic status. When these environmental inequalities are studied, theorist David Pellow cites a need for inclusion of sociohistorical process within research, and states that environmental inequalities should be historically examined through case studies (2000). This paper recognizes both the history of Camden, NJ and the process of environmental inequality formation in Camden's Waterfront South neighborhood as a basis for understanding the present environmental problems plaguing the neighborhood. Through comprehensive historical research and interviews with fourteen Waterfront South residents, I conclude that the neighborhood's industrial history, rather than nullifying the environmental inequality argument, further asserts the need for positive change in this area. Furthermore, this case study of Waterfront South denies the notion that environmental inequalities are simplistic occurrences and recounts the complexities involved in their formation.

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