The Du Bois nexus: intersectionality, political economy, and environmental injustice in the Peruvian Guano trade in the 1800s

ABSTRACT

W. E. B. Du Bois’s work serves as a fruitful avenue to synthesize intersectionality, political economy, and environmental analysis. We propose that the Du Bois nexus provides the basis to examine distinct historical relationships and conditions that shape race, class, gender, and national relations associated with environmental injustice. Through a brief historical case study, we examine the racialized and gendered international division of labor associated with the Peruvian guano trade in the mid-nineteenth century, highlighting the associated environmental injustice and inequalities experienced by Chinese ‘coolies.’ We conclude by highlighting how Du Bois’s scholarship is useful as a bridge between environmental sociology, intersectionality, and race and ethnic studies.

KEYWORDS:

• Intersectionality
• environmental justice
• guano
• race
• gender
• labor

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Brett Clark

Brett Clark is Associate Professor of sociology and sustainability studies at the University of Utah. His research focuses on the political economy of global environmental change and the philosophy, history, and sociology of science.

Daniel Auerbach

Daniel Auerbach is a PhD student in sociology at the University of Utah. His primary research interest is the political economy of global environmental change.

Karen Xuan Zhang

Karen Xuan Zhang is a PhD student in sociology at the University of Utah. Her primary research interest is the political economy of global environmental change.