Final answer:
Environmental racism is a critical theme that manifests within the setting of narratives, shaping the characters' realities and reflecting broader societal issues. Literary works like "Life in the Iron Mills" present environments that reflect the intersection of industrialization and racial discrimination, closely related to modern environmental justice topics. Sociologists' research and ethnographies, like those by Robert Bullard, support the understanding of environmental racism as an integral, continuous influence in the lives of people of color.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theme of environmental racism encompasses the interplay between racism and environmental factors. In this context, racism operates not merely as a thematic concern but as an element deeply entrenched within the setting itself, impacting characters continuously.
Works by sociologists like Robert Bullard provide stark statistics and evidence of how race, more than socioeconomic status, determines the proximity of African Americans to hazardous waste facilities and environmental health threats.
The literary narrative of "Life in the Iron Mills" by Harding Davis echoes this by portraying the dire effects of industrialization on both the environment and the people living within it, without overtly labeling it as environmental racism due to the time it was written. Yet, it offers a critical perspective that aligns with present-day environmental justice considerations.
The challenges presented by pollution, garbage, e-waste, and toxic hazards are not just environmental concerns but are intertwined with racial discrimination, thus comprising a backdrop to the everyday lives of those affected by environmental racism.
A poignant example is noted in the story shared by Shannon Work, emphasizing the connection between the disregard for the environment and systemic racism that poses immediate threats to the lives of people of color.
Moreover, understanding the setting of a story, as mentioned in the text on setting and theme, helps us realize how the environmental conditions that characters live in shape the overall mood and theme of the story. For instance, in "Life in the Iron Mills", the oppressive environment is a key component in conveying the story's message.
The environmental conditions, like pollution, are not just settings, but an intrinsic part of the characters’ daily reality, reflecting the broader theme of environmental racism the characters experience.