Next to the nuclear industry; the largest producer of contaminants in the air; land; and water is the electronics industry. Silicon Valley hosts the highest density of Superfund sites anywhere in the nation and leads the country in the number of temporary workers per capita and in workforce gender inequities. Silicon Valley offers a sobering illustration of environmental inequality and other problems that are increasingly linked to the globalization of the world's economies. In The Silicon Valley of Dreams; the authors take a hard look at the high-tech region of Silicon Valley to examine environmental racism within the context of immigrant patterns; labor markets; and the historical patterns of colonialism. One cannot understand Silicon Valley or the high-tech global economy in general; they contend; without also understanding the role people of color play in the labor force; working in the electronic industry's toxic environments. These toxic work environments produce chemical pollution that; in turn; disrupts the ecosystems of surrounding communities inhabited by people of color and immigrants. The authors trace the origins of this exploitation and provide a new understanding of the present-day struggles for occupational health and safety. The Silicon Valley of Dreams will be critical reading for students and scholars in ethnic studies; immigration; urban studies; gender studies; social movements; and the environment; as well as activists and policy-makers working to address the needs of workers; communities; and industry.
#4534817 in Books NYU Press 1999-11-01 1999-11-01Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.08 x 5.80 x 8.84l; #File Name: 0814722113350 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Gives great insight into the cultural and political factors that preceded and sustained the Liberian Civil War.By dale klemmI bought this book after going on a mission trip to Liberia. It is not an easy read (I read it in bits and pieces over several months) but the author does an absolutely fantastic job of describing the political and cultural events leading up the the civil war; then walks the reader through the significant events of the war. I'm not sure if I would have appreciated or understood the book having not been to Liberia first (I was recommended to me by another missionary that I met on my trip). Beyond describing the civil war; this book provides a foundation that gives insight into the cultural and political issues that still influence Liberia and the surrounding countries today.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Stephen Ellis presents a fascinating account of the forgotten dimension ...By W FStephen Ellis presents a fascinating account of the forgotten dimension of most contemporary conflict analysis and resolution: religion. Developed countries are; by and large; so secularized that they forget that many other places have retained close ties to a sense of the numinous. Agree with it or not; we cannot afford to ignore this aspect of international social and political conflict. Ellis is to be commended for this groundbreaking study of the influence of religion - or; rather; the instrumentalization of religious symbols - in the recent West African conflict.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Liberia's Civil WarBy John GibbsStephen Ellis's book is a fascinating exploration of the little known (to Westerners) history of the Liberian civil war. From 1989 to 1997 war raged across Liberia in West Africa; fuelled by child soldiers wearing women's clothing and wigs for "spiritual protection"; while high on marijuana and cane juice. The war was characterised by mindless brutality; relentless looting; and constant quests for greater power provided by spiritual forces; such as through tearing out and eating the hearts of conquered warriors.The book provides important insights into the causes of violence and war; and it provides a well-researched source of information. However; the content is at times repetitive and some of the author's opinions are puzzling. For example; he seems to consider it politically incorrect to talk about cannibalism; but it is fine to talk about human sacrifice. Both practices have been engaged in extensively by those seeking to obtain power from the spiritual world.The civil war essentially ended when the most powerful of the warlords; Charles Taylor; defeated the others; thereby obtaining a monopoly on violence and looting. In 1997 he was elected apparently legitimately (the people didn't want him to keep fighting for power); but the war started up again in 2000. Taylor is now on trial for war crimes; and the country is trying to recover from the devastation of the past 25 years.
