Environmental Discrimination: Hampering Individual Achievement

In the 1950s, segregation in America was still predominant. Separate busses and separate water fountains were mandated, dividing white from black in a manner that should never be repeated. While segregation has long been outlawed for decades from a legal standpoint, racism still rears its head in a number of arenas, from institutional to professional to educational to environmental.
Environmental discrimination came about in the 1980s, and established the desire to create a legal precedent in which racial elements influenced environmental factors. Its definition is broad, its legal influence is growing, and its affect on your situation at work or at home may be a determining factor in your need for an attorney.
What is Environmental Discrimination/Racism?
Environmental discrimination, or environmental racism, is the affect that race plays on one’s environment. Separate water fountains make for a simple example: were the water fountains used by whites in the 1950s cleaner, well-maintained, and more sterile than those used by blacks? When environmental discrimination is present, individual achievement is hampered. This is simply antithetical to the American way. Every American should have equal opportunity to move forward, work hard, and achieve his or her goals. While overcoming hardship is an essential component to success, racism is an unacceptable hardship in the United States.
How Might Environmental Discrimination Affect My Situation?
Environmental discrimination in New York may be more common than you realize. If a landlord owns properties in several neighborhoods, yet refuses to invest in maintenance on properties “because of the people in the neighborhood,” then that might legally be defined as environmental racism. Not only is that potentially illegal, it is terrible business practice, and a disservice to the community.
In business, if a franchise owner decides to invest more in “white neighborhoods” than “black neighborhoods” or “latino neighborhoods,” then environmental discrimination is clearly present.
Zoning and Environmental Discrimination
This type of discrimination may go into the government sector as well. For instance, when voter districts are changed to racially segregate a vote, then that is environmental discrimination. Zoning laws, when drawn with race as a factor, constitute racist behavior and may potentially open the doors for litigation.
If you feel you are a victim of environmental discrimination, then you need an attorney with an expert knowledge of your situation. Call the law offices of Valli, Kane & Vagnini, and put your trust into experienced attorneys.