Greensplaining environmental justice: A narrative of race, ethnicity, and justice in urban greenspace development

ABSTRACT

While urban greenspaces play an important role in shaping the cultural and social dimensions of cities, these spaces are also inherently political, often serving to perpetuate the exclusion and subordination of racially marginalized populations. Drawing upon critical race theory, the purpose of this research is to use narratives to highlight how race, structural racism, White privilege, and power continue to shape environmental injustices in the urban landscape. By sharing these stories, we illustrate how (a) environmental injustices stemming from structural and overt racism are often positioned as ordinary experiences, (b) the racialized state continues to foster environmental injustices in Latinx communities, and (c) how techniques of what we refer to as “greensplaining” are deployed by environmentalists and conservationists as further justification for White privilege, racialized marginalization, and processes of gentrification.

Notes

1. Note, the term Latinx is used throughout the paper unless citing other research studies where other terms (e.g., Hispanic, Latino) were used or quoting study participants.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mariela Fernandez

Mariela Fernandez is an Assistant Professor in the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management Department at Clemson University. Mariela’s research examines environmental injustices affecting Latinx urban communities, with primary focus on their limited access to community-based parks. She is also interested in how Latinx communities organize against environmental injustices.

Brandon Harris

Brandon Harris is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Teaching, Learning and Sociocultural Studies Department at the University of Arizona. Brandon’s research examines the influence of green amenities on the physical and social environments in urban communities; environmental justice issues related to environmental gentrification; and the impacts of neighborhood stigma on the recreational choices and behaviors of urban youth.

Jeff Rose

Jeff Rose is an assistant professor-lecturer in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at the University of Utah. His research examines systemic inequities that are displayed through class, race, political economy, and relationships to nature. He has used this justice-focused lens on homelessness in parks, park and protected area management, outdoor recreation and education, and place attachment in unbuilt environments.