The Wrong Complexion for Protection: How the Government Response to Disaster Endangers African American Communities

Title Page, Copyright, Dedication

The Wrong Complexion for Protection This page intentionally left blank The Wrong Complexion for Protection How the Government Response to Disaster Endangers African American Communities Robert D. Bullard and Beverly Wright a NEW YORK UNIVERSIT Y PRESS New York and London NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS New York and London www.nyupress.org© 2012 by New York University All rights reserved References to Internet websites (URLs) were accurate at the time of writing. Neither the author nor New York University Press is responsible for URLs that may have expired or changed since the manuscript was prepared. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Bullard, Robert D. (Robert Doyle), 1946The wrong complexion for protection : how the government response to disaster endangers African American communities / Robert D. Bullard and Beverly Wright. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8147-9993-2 (cl : alk. paper) ISBN 978-0-8147-7193-8 (ebook) ISBN 978-0-8147-6384-1 (ebook) 1. Disaster relief--Social aspects—United States. 2. African Americans—Civil rights. 3. African Americans—Social conditions. 4. Racism in public welfare—United States. 5. Racism in social services—United States. 6. Racism—United States. I. Wright, Beverly, Ph. D. II. Title. HV555.U6B846 2012 363.34’808996073--dc23 2012004485 New York University Press books are printed on acid-free paper, and their binding materials are chosen for strength and durability. We strive to use environmentally responsible suppliers and materials to the greatest extent possible in publishing our books. Manufactured in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 | v For my mother and father, Nehemiah and Myrtle Bullard—RDB For my father and mother, Morris Bates Sr. and Evelyn Bates Justin; my brother, Morris Bates Jr.; and my uncle, Walter Smith, who survived Hurricane Katrina at age seventy-nine—BW This page intentionally left blank ...