Last semester in my Intro to Women and Gender Studies, Professor Else Quest taught a lesson on economic justice. During our conversation, we delved into the concept of Ecofeminism, which highlights the interconnection between the oppression of women and the exploitation of nature. We then dug into the topic of Environmental Racism, which is a pervasive issue that involves the unequal distribution of environmental hazards and pollution in communities of color. This phenomenon is characterized by the disproportionate exposure of marginalized communities to environmental risks and toxins, leading to negative health outcomes and increasing the prevalence of chronic diseases.
After understanding the concepts, we moved into something that hit more personally than a simple definition. We discussed the pork industry in North Carolina and the issue of Swine CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations). In North Carolina alone, there are 8.8 billion hogs, which results in 10 billion gallons of waste. Unfortunately, the growth of this industry has negatively impacted family farms. To keep up with the demand for pork in the market, big-time sellers like Smithfield have established Swine CAFOs that not only make life unbearable for the pigs but also pollute the air, water, and land.
During this class, Professor Quest shared a captivating visual presentation with us. She presented a shortened version of the documentary ‘The Smell of Money’, which was directed by Shawn Bannon and written by Jamie Berger. The documentary uncovers how the company Smithfield, has established vast farms within N.C. to cope with the ever-increasing demand for pork in the market. However, what caught my attention was how these practices have resulted in environmental racism on an immense scale. The documentary highlighted the adverse effects of these farming practices on marginalized communities and the environment. I could tell that this was a must-watch and I eagerly anticipated its full release. Once the documentary dropped, I
quickly bought it, gave it all of my attention, and loved every raw moment of it.
I understand that you may be curious about why this information is important to you. It’s worth noting that swine CAFOs are primarily located in underprivileged counties with Black, Latinx, and Indigenous populations. Additionally, the documentary was filmed in Duplin County, North Carolina, which is close to our school and many of its students. If you live in or near this area, it’s crucial to be aware of the various health consequences that can arise from living near these CAFOs. These can include physical and psychological issues, such as weakened immune systems, respiratory problems, burning eyes, depression, and anxiety. The documentary does a remarkable job of showcasing how these swine CAFOs have dehumanized the people living around them and remained ignorant of the harm they cause to the people’s health. The CAFOs spray hog waste on their land, which then gets into people’s homes and causes numerous health problems. Some people have even had their lives threatened for standing up for their right to a safe and healthy environment. One of the main figures in this story is Elsie Herring, who fought to save her family’s home and heritage by taking on Smithfield, the world’s largest pork company. She spent decades fighting for justice in court, and while the court ultimately ruled in her and her neighbors’ favor, their lives had already been destroyed, and the industry’s system barely changed. Over time, living around the toxic hog farms ruined Elsie’s health, and she, unfortunately, passed away in May of 2021.
It is truly alarming to consider the extent of environmental racism that pervades our society. Particularly concerning is the fact that many of the hog farms that contribute to this problem are located in areas that bear a striking similarity to the regions where the vast majority of North Carolinians were once enslaved. This raises serious questions about how historical patterns of oppression continue to shape the social and environmental landscape of our society and highlights the urgent need for action to address these longstanding injustices.
Although the stench of money may linger, it is up to us to decide whether we will remain ignorant or become an active member in representing its detriment.
