An Archaeology of Environmental Racism in Los Angeles

This paper focuses on the historical evolution of discriminatory pollution patterns in Los Angeles. We argue that the historical processes leading to environmental racism cannot be understood without employing qualitative research methods. Moreover, in order to move beyond viewing “race” and class as mutually exclusive static categories, we conceptualize “race” and class as social relations. We first conducted a spatial analysis of air toxins in urban Los Angeles County and then chose two of the most polluted communities (Torrance and East Los Angeles/Vernon) for detailed historical analysis. Each community illustrates a different set of historical processes. The early development of Torrance was characterized by a highly deliberate and conscious set of racist practices on the part of city planners in an effort to control a racialized division of labor. In the case of East Los Angeles/Vernon, minority communities developed in close conjunction with those industries dependent upon their labor. The negatively racialized and polluted nature of the place led to its continued role as an industrial area. In both cases, we reveal the need to focus on the simultaneous evolution of racism, class formation, and the development of industrial landscapes.