In the United States, some scientists, sociologists, and politicians propose tha

Question

In the United States, some scientists, sociologists, and politicians propose that the access to environmental quality is not evenly distributed across the socioeconomic classes. In 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit the New Orleans area, this concept became the center of many conversations. Take some time and investigate the issues surrounding the poor environmental conditions during Hurricane Katrina and the days to follow. Investigate the concept of unequal access to environmental quality. Decide if you believe that the impact of the hurricane was felt equally through all socioeconomic classes. Why or why not? If you ran the disaster program, what would you have done differently? For this assignment, you will compose a letter to the U.S. President. Use the questions above as a guide to compose your letter. Make sure that your letter answers all of these questions and contains facts and examples that support your opinion and suggestions. You must provide at least 4 facts or examples that support your opinion. Your letter must be a minimum of 500 words, be prepared in a Microsoft Word document, double-spaced, and in 12-point font (Times New Roman or Arial). Be sure to use proper spelling and grammar.

Explanation / Answer

The President

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

I am writing you to express my very strong opposition for the socio-economic difference present in our country which has always remained the topic of concern for all of the groups of society. Such a distinction is usually criticized because of various ethical issues for example; owing to poor environmental conditions for people with lower socioeconomic status. In fact, socio-economical difference can touch several fields and ultimately may degrade the quality of   life of a person/ group. It can be understood with the example of natural disasters such as; hurricane Katrina which could prove to be a great challenge for entire mankind.

Though the deteriorating impacts of this disaster could be felt by all the groups of society either rich or poor, yet it affected more to the people who belong to lower socio economic class because of their reduced access up to a quality environment. How poor people could not found excellent surroundings during this disaster it may be understood via analysis of physical and psychological impacts faced by them and further through investigation of emergency assistance and recovery facilities provided to them.

In the physical impacts of hurricane, we may include mortality, morbidity, and injury. According to data obtained by researchers, disaster loss was more persistent for those who belong to lower socio economic category. It was because of type of resident occupied by such people. Because of lower quality construction, these people have to face greater risk of hazard since; such houses were more susceptible to disaster.

According to experts, besides physical trauma, poorer people also reported more emotional problems following Katrina as; they were under great stress over the risk of losing their jobs after disaster while such a financial insecurity could not be found in higher and middle income groups. Further, these people could also not receive any psychological support to come out of this crisis because of socioeconomic divergence.

Socioeconomic factors appear to be important in numerous ways during the immediate post-impact stage too as; a number of disaster relief officers said that several victims who had special needs could not get relief owing to extreme poverty, high illiteracy rates, physical separation, terror and mistrust of government officers and lack of electronic media for weeks following the storm.

Not only during disaster, but also after it poor people faced more obstacles (compared to others) throughout the recovery, and reconstruction as a consequence of lack of resources. A research study conducted by a NGO reveals that the speed of revitalization for poor persons can be said quite lower than rich ones.

All such variations might be termed signi?cant and can illustrate a systematic strati?cation pattern within the United States so, according to me; we need to raise steps against such obstacles that are being faced by poor people from a long period. I would like to say that; if I could get the authority then I will work for their welfare continuously not only during disaster. I would make sure that deprived people could get proper education, employment, and health care as well as living facilities. I will also try to improve the societal view about such persons so that, bond present between them and other groups of society might be made stronger and obstacles faced during hurricane Katrina could be eradicated next time.

In my opinion, only via adoption of all above strategies, we can provide a quality atmosphere to poor people in which they might flourish in a satisfactory mode and can prove to be better citizens too. I hope that you will consider the issues raised by this letter and would take steps to eliminate the dissimilarity present between rich and poor as today underprivileged groups from whole world (not only from US) are expecting such a kindness from your side and I am sure that you will not disappoint them.

Yours Sincerely

Name

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