The Fight for “Quality of Life”: Confronting Environmental Racism in Southeast Queens, NY

Southeast Queens, a majority Black region of New York City, has a disproportionate concentration of environmental hazards, including industrial pollution, sewage back-ups, and illegal dumping. Residents appeal to their state and local government for protection from and mitigation of these harms. Anthropologist Natalie Vena will investigate the ways in which residents in Southeast Queens, New York appeal to their government officials about environmental hazards and how government officials respond to these appeals. She will conduct interviews and participant observation for her study.