AI Boom Discovers 'Environmental Justice' Only Where Black People Live
Mainstream media now spotlights what marginalized communities have known for decades: industrial pollution follows lines of least resistance. These new AI 'data centers,' requiring city-level power and millions of gallons of water daily, are conveniently popping up in historically Black neighborhoods like Southwest Memphis. Elon Musk's xAI center, now facing an NAACP lawsuit, has allegedly spiked
nitrogen dioxide by 79% near its site. Funny how 'innovation' always manages to replicate the same land-use patterns as refineries and highways, concentrating the dirty work and health risks where property values are lowest and political power scarce. One might wonder if these tech titans are truly innovating, or simply finding new ways to exploit existing systemic inequalities. The solution is
always 'build it there,' never 'build it cleanly anywhere.' How many generations must sacrifice their health for someone else's quarterly profits and new tech toys before we notice the pattern isn't a coincidence?