Abstract:

In this article, we set the religious landscape of Newark within the physical environment of Newark, an environment often more suitable for rats and roaches than evocative of the goodness and beauty of ‘God’s creation’. We specifically examine a range of strategies and campaigns by religious actors, and their non-religious partners, to fight the overwhelming toxicity and neglect of one neighborhood in the city—the Ironbound. We also consider some of the reasons in this particular context for a lack of engagement by religious groups and the difficulties faced by immigrant populations in addressing environmental problems.

Author: Matthew B. Immergut, Laurel D. Kearns