Flint still doesn’t have clean running water… or at least water that doesn’t stink or burn when you take a shower. The government, of course, begs to differ.
This crisis made national news in 2014. The government knowingly subjected their residents to dangerous levels of lead in an attempt to save a dollar. Now tens of thousands of residents are sick and their medical resources are limited. According to the latest Census data, Flint has the highest poverty rate in the nation with 45% of their residents living below the poverty line. 58% of their children (or residents under the age of 18) are living below the poverty line, which is more than 3x the national average of 18%. Common sense would suggest that the most vulnerable need the most help? Yet, it’s the exact opposite.
“We have worked diligently to restore the water quality and the scientific data now proves the water system is stable and the need for bottled water has ended.” – Gov. Rick Snyder
Churches and nonprofits have been tasked with handing out much of the water. They’re now bracing families and residents, who normally come by weekly for their water, that it’ll likely stop with no set plans or alternative options in place once it does. Synder states that the water system is now stable; but Flint residents, who are now being told it’s ok to bath and cook with this water, have heard that before. They tell a much different story.
“My water stinks. It still burns to take a shower… There’s no way they can say it’s safe. I think it’s really cruel what they’re doing to us as a city, as a whole. We’ve been struggling over four years almost. It’s just cold-hearted — now they’re taking our drinking water away from us.” – Flint resident Melissa Mays
(No Claps Yet)
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A myriad of people in my family live in Flint. My family also owns a mechanic shop there. When I visit, it’s sad that I see mountains of water bottles in their homes and places of business. I was recently in the city, and the water still has an odor. I’m not sure what qualifies safe anymore, however, even if the water is now “safe”, how can the people trust the government’s word? I wouldn’t….. and from the odor of the water, I don’t! I also don’t understand how a Governor during this crises; four years later, still has a job. Although Michigan has new energy laws and Snyder has been working to correct the Flint “mistake”, he needs to resign. During his administration he has opposed stricter smog regulations and failed to improve state regulations of septic tank/other leaks of sewage into Michigan waters. The whole concept of the “Great Lakes” and “Pure Michigan” appears a bit oxymoronic. Instead of a leader acknowledging when to bow out, he continues to try to salvage his reputation and trust. I’ve learned that sometimes the best action for leaders towards progression is to allow other leaders and schools of thought to lead. A leader’s vision without well-defined operations, is simply a hallucination.
Unfortunately poor people have the least power which is why this is an ongoing crisis steeped in lies and a public health crisis. If this were an affluent neighborhood the millions of dollars would have been spent immediately to fix this. Their power rests at the ballot box and they must exercise the power of the vote and organize to get people into office who will allocate these funds.
Right. Flint has always been a deeply improvised area. It’s one of the only thing those of us from outside of Michigan know about Flint. Meanwhile… Nestle is in the area bottling fresh, clean water for $200 a year. But we know voting hasn’t been effective for poor, black people.