Translations by Herb Fraser-rahim
This is a book review and article about my text Bilali Muhammad's Meditations from the Muslim Jou... more This is a book review and article about my text Bilali Muhammad's Meditations from the Muslim Journal.
Papers by Herb Fraser-rahim
Abstract: Distressed neighborhoods in North Charleston (SC, USA) are impacted by the cumulative e... more Abstract: Distressed neighborhoods in North Charleston (SC, USA) are impacted by the cumulative effects of multiple environmental hazards and expansion of the Port of Charleston. The Low Country Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC) built an environmental justice partnership to address local concerns. This case study examines the process of building and sustaining a successful transformative and authentic community-university partnership. We apply the framework established by Community-Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH), focusing on four of the nine principles of Good Practice of Community Campus Partnerships.
Sacoby M. Wilson, PhD, MS, Herb Fraser-Rahim, BEng, Edith Williams, PhD, Hongmei Zhang, PhD, LaSh... more Sacoby M. Wilson, PhD, MS, Herb Fraser-Rahim, BEng, Edith Williams, PhD, Hongmei Zhang, PhD, LaShanta Rice, MPH, Erik Svendsen, PhD,and Winston Abara, MPHToxic Waste and Race in America, published in1987, was the first comprehensive nationalreport to demonstrate that many people-of-color communities and disadvantaged popula-tions are differentially burdened by environ-mental hazards and unhealthy land uses
The Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC) is a non-profit community-based organization... more The Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC) is a non-profit community-based organization in North Charleston, SC that organized to address environmental justice and health issues in seven economically distressed African-American neighborhoods near the Port of Charleston. LAMC neighborhoods are impacted by many local pollution sources including Port of Charleston activities, diesel truck traffic, Superfund sites, an incinerator, brownfields, heavily-trafficked roads, and chemical plants. In addition, the LAMC neighborhoods have high levels of poverty, segregation, crime, and drug use. In 2005, the South Carolina States Port Authority (SCSPA), LAMC and the City of North Charleston agreed to work together to develop a community Mitigation Plan Agreement (MPA) that maximizes community benefits and minimizes undesirable impacts from the proposed expansion of the Port of Charleston. LAMC, SPSPA, and the City later signed a $4.08 million community mitigation agreement, which was h...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2014
Distressed neighborhoods in North Charleston (SC, USA) are impacted by the cumulative effects of ... more Distressed neighborhoods in North Charleston (SC, USA) are impacted by the cumulative effects of multiple environmental hazards and expansion of the Port of Charleston. The Low Country Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC) built an environmental justice partnership to address local concerns. This case study examines the process of building and sustaining a successful transformative and authentic community-university partnership. We apply the framework established by Community-Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH), focusing on four of the nine principles of Good Practice of Community Campus Partnerships.
Environmental Justice, 2012
A current research trajectory within environmental justice literature has been to explore various... more A current research trajectory within environmental justice literature has been to explore various measures of proximity to environmental hazards which may contribute to exposure and health risks for vulnerable populations. Research has shown that many low-income residential areas, which often are predominantly comprised of people of color, are located in close proximity to hazardous waste sites. Public health researchers have documented that these inequities in residential patterns can be linked to negative health impacts, resulting in health disparities. The purpose of this article is to evaluate spatial distributions of leaking underground storage tanks (LUSTs) in the Charleston Metropolitan Statistical area (MSA). Furthermore, we aim to use various geographic information system (GIS) techniques that could provide local policymakers and community groups with knowledge to make better decisions for revitalization, planning, and community development efforts. Three GIS techniques were used in this study: 1) mean distance analysis, 2) spatial coincidence, and 3) proximity analysis. To examine the association between distance to the nearest LUST and proportions of non-whites in census tracts, linear regression models were applied. Chi-square tests were conducted to compare differences of race/ethnicity and SES between census tracts that host LUSTs and those that do not host LUSTs. Results indicate that a disparity exist between census tracts that host LUSTs and census tracts that do not host LUSTs based on race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. These data provide additional evidence that spatial disparities exist in the distribution of environmental hazards beyond Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) facilities in the Charleston MSA in census tracts with higher numbers of people of color and poor populations. Community groups such as the Low Country Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC) can use this information in its efforts to revitalize LAMC neighborhoods and achieve environmental justice and eliminate health disparities in underserved communities in the region. INTRODUCTION Underground storage tanks U nderground storage tanks (USTs) refer to tanks and any underground piping connected to the tank that has at least 10% of its combined volume underground. Approximately 95% of all USTs store petroleum products like gasoline and oil. 1 Currently in the United States, there are approximately 611,000 underground storage tanks nationwide that store petroleum or hazardous substances 2 with an ever constant threat of a leak or a potential for a leak. Despite regulations to prevent
Environmental Health Insights, 2014
Introduction The Port of Charleston, one of the busiest US ports, currently operates five termina... more Introduction The Port of Charleston, one of the busiest US ports, currently operates five terminals. The fifth terminal is being planned for expansion to accommodate container ships from the proposed Panama Canal expansion. Such expansion is expected to increase traffic within local vulnerable North Charleston neck communities by at least 7,000 diesel truck trips per day, more than a 70% increase from the present average rate of 10,000 trucks per day. Our objective was to measure the current particulate matter (PM) concentrations in North Charleston communities as a baseline to contrast against future air pollution after the proposed port expansion. Methods Saturation study was performed to determine spatial variability of PM in local Charleston neck communities. In addition, the temporal trends in particulate air pollution within the region were determined across several decades. With the BGI sampler, PM samples were collected for 24 hours comparable to the federal reference method...
American Journal of Public Health, 2012
Objectives. We assessed spatial disparities in the distribution of Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) ... more Objectives. We assessed spatial disparities in the distribution of Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) facilities in Charleston, SC. Methods. We used spatial methods and regression to assess burden disparities in the study area at the block and census-tract levels by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES). Results. Results revealed an inverse relationship between distance to TRI facilities and race/ethnicity and SES at the block and census-tract levels. Results of regression analyses showed a positive association between presence of TRI facilities and high percentage non-White and a negative association between number of TRI facilities and high SES. Conclusions. There are burden disparities in the distribution of TRI facilities in Charleston at the block and census-tract level by race/ethnicity and SES. Additional research is needed to understand cumulative risk in the region.
Background and Aims: The Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC), a community-based orga... more Background and Aims: The Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC), a community-based organization in North Charleston, SC, developed a partnership with the University of South Carolina to s...
Progress in community health partnerships : research, education, and action, 2015
As part of the Charleston Area Pollution Prevention Partnership (CAPs), studies have been perform... more As part of the Charleston Area Pollution Prevention Partnership (CAPs), studies have been performed to address environmental health issues using various techniques including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping. Most of the mapping has been conducted by academic team members; however, there is a need for more community-based mapping to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of community-driven efforts to eliminate environmental hazards and health disparities. The emergence of public participatory GIS (PPGIS) has been shown as a way to democratize science, build community capacity, and empower local citizens to address environmental health issues. This article describes the development of the Environmental Justice (EJ) Radar, a PPGIS tool that provides stakeholders in South Carolina with a way to raise environmental awareness and improve citizen participation in local environmental decision-making. We describe the functionality of EJ Radar and discuss feedback received f...
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Translations by Herb Fraser-rahim
Papers by Herb Fraser-rahim