Sir
Editor
Washington Post
Dear Sir:
In response to the published press release, NAACP Report Reveals Disparate Impact of Coal-Fired Power Plants, I would like to offer some food for thought. There is no doubt that burning coal can be harmful to the environment and the health of humans that are exposed to it, but the manner in which the NAACP manipulates the issue to paint a picture of power companies taking advantage of the poor and minorities to create a racial and social status issue is unethical.
No one disputes the fact that something needs to be done to minimize toxic emissions from power plants. According to Patterson, old, dirty coal plants are poisoning our environment (189). We are in an age of advanced technology where brilliant minds come up with amazing things. We have the ability; we only lack commitment from our government to make it happen.
As Jealous believes, coal pollution is literally killing low-income communities and communities of color (189). Although the statement may be true, he is missing the root cause. Power plants did not build low-income housing around their facilities. Real estate developers seized an opportunity. They are the ones who should be held accountable for unscrupulous motives. Regardless, that fact does not help our current situation. Our government must work with power plants to convert to clean energy to make us a better country as a WHOLE. I believe the NAACP could gain a lot of credibility if they acted on behalf of Americans instead of trying to put their own racial slant on issues to suit their agenda.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Short, Aaron D.
Student