The Wrong Complexion for Protection

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Title:

The Wrong Complexion for Protection

How the Government Response to Disaster Endangers African American Communities

Author:

Bullard, Robert D.

Wright, Beverly

Subject:

Sociology

Multi-Cultural

Nonfiction

Politics

Description:

Uncovers the ways the United States government responds to natural and human-induced disasters in relation to race over the past eight decadesWhen the images of desperate, hungry, thirsty, sick, mostly black people circulated in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, it became apparent to the whole country that race did indeed matter when it came to government assistance. In The Wrong Complexion for Protection, Robert D. Bullard and Beverly Wright place the government response to natural and human-induced disasters in historical context over the past eight decades. They compare and contrast how the government responded to emergencies, including environmental and public health emergencies, toxic contamination, industrial accidents, bioterrorism threats and show that African Americans are disproportionately affected. Bullard and Wright argue that uncovering and eliminating disparate disaster response can mean the difference between life and death for those most vulnerable in disastrous times.

Publisher:

NYU Press

Date:

2012/07/23

Digital Format:

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Language:

English

Summary

Uncovers the ways the United States government responds to natural and human-induced disasters in relation to race over the past eight decades

When the images of desperate, hungry, thirsty, sick, mostly black people circulated in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, it became apparent to the whole country that race did indeed matter when it came to government assistance. In The Wrong Complexion for Protection , Robert D. Bullard and Beverly Wright place the government response to natural and human-induced disasters in historical context over the past eight decades. They compare and contrast how the government responded to emergencies, including environmental and public health emergencies, toxic contamination, industrial accidents, bioterrorism threats and show that African Americans are disproportionately affected. Bullard and Wright argue that uncovering and eliminating disparate disaster response can mean the difference between life and death for those most vulnerable in disastrous times.

Author Notes

Bullard Robert D. :

Robert D. Bullard is Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy at Texas Southern University and Director of the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice. He is former Dean of the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs and author and co-author of several books including Dumping in Dixie: Race, Class and Environmental Quality and Environmental Health and Racial Equity in the United States: Strategies for Building Just, Sustainable and Livable Communities. Wright Beverly :

Beverly Wright is Founder and Executive Director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice. She is the co-author of Race, Place, and Environmental Justice after Hurricane Katrina: Struggles to Reclaim, Rebuild, and Revitalize New Orleans . Robert D. Bullard (Author)
Robert D. Bullard is Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy at Texas Southern University and Director of the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice. He is former Dean of the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs and author and co-author of several books including Dumping in Dixie: Race, Class and Environmental Quality and Environmental Health and Racial Equity in the United States: Strategies for Building Just, Sustainable and Livable Communities.

Beverly Wright (Author)
Beverly Wright is Founder and Executive Director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice. She is the co-author of Race, Place, and Environmental Justice after Hurricane Katrina: Struggles to Reclaim, Rebuild, and Revitalize New Orleans .

Reviews (1)

Choice Review

Bringing to light what is a largely neglected topic, Bullard (public affairs, Texas Southern Univ. in Houston) and Wright (sociology, Dillard Univ.) have written a thought-provoking treatise on how the US government responds to disasters in African American communities. Despite what may have the superficial appearance of inflammatory and sensationalist rhetoric, the authors have produced a remarkably measured synthesis of argumentation and documentation. Rich with analysis and a variety of case studies in recent US history, this relatively dense book is a fine achievement. Having been deeply affected by Hurricane Katrina, the authors have a vested interest in communicating their research on the complicated relationship between the environment and social justice. The frequent and detailed mention of dates, locations, and case studies can be overwhelming at times and can occasionally detract from the flow of the book, but ultimately does not take away from its central thesis: African American communities do not receive the same level of support, attention, or care when it comes to disaster responsiveness as do white communities. A fine overview for those interested in the subject matter. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. P. Gamsby Duke University

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Author Notes

Reviews (1)

Choice Review

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