Deck 24: Steve Lerner, Diamond: a Struggle for Environmental Justice in Louisianas Chemical Corridor

Question 1

The "big bang" of Diamond, LA refers to the 1973 explosion that killed 16-year old Leroy Jones and Helen Washington, the elderly woman for whom Jones was cutting the lawn.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

In your opinion, should Shell/Motiva Norco officials have done anything differently in response to complaints from Diamond residents? Explain.

Answer 2

not answered

Question 3

The 1990 Clean Air Act required chemical companies to prepare a "worst-case scenario" map of vulnerable areas around their plants.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The officials of the Shell/Motiva Norco Complex finally agreed to compensate residents of Diamond for medical expenses related to health problems stemming from the plant.

Question 5

Following the 1978 explosion that killed two Diamond residents, Shell compensated the relatives of Helen Washington $30,000 for her home and land, and they compensated the mother of Leroy Jones
$50,000 for his wrongful death.

Question 6

If it was so poisonous and dangerous to live in the shadows of the Shell/Motiva Norco Complex, why didn't the residents of Diamond simply move? Explain, using examples from the reading.

Question 7

Diamond residents had a difficult time proving a causal link between the toxic chemicals released from the Shell plant and the health of residents.

Question 8

When Diamond was evacuated following the 1988 explosion, residents used which of the following routes to escape?

A) the roads
B) the spillway
C) the perimeter route of the Shell/Motiva Norco Complex
D) a and b above

Question 9

Why did Diamond resident Jamie Campbell say, "I feel like I am in a hole" ?

Question 10

Which law required chemical companies to prepare a "worst-case scenario" map of vulnerable areas around their plants?

A) 1964 Civil Rights Act
B) 1988 Environmental Protection Act
C) 1990 Clean Air Act
D) none of the above

Question 11

Many of Diamond's residents claimed their health suffered because of their proximity to the Shell chemical plant. Which of the following health problems were blamed on Shell?

A) respiratory problems
B) skin disorders
C) headaches
D) all of the above

Question 12

For residents of Diamond, Louisiana, the "big bang" refers to which of the following?

A) the 1973 explosion that killed two Diamond residents
B) the 1988 explosion that killed seven Shell workers and injured 48 others
C) the meteorite that left a gaping crater in the ground in 1952 just west of Diamond
D) a and b above

Question 13

According to Diamond residents and advocates, which of the following reasons explains why Shell officials did not help relocate residents?

A) The African American residents were devalued by Shell.
B) The company felt no remorse for what happened to the residents
C) The residents had no political power or support, and so they did not pose a threat to Shell.
D) all of the above