Environmental racism is a massive topic — and I’m only skimming the surface in this video. But the biggest thing I’ve taken away from the Flint water crisis is the power of activism. The citizens of Flint stood up and were heard. It took way too long – but has captured the nations attention and breathed life back into serious issues. Lead poisoning, water quality, housing segregation, climate change, and racism are all interwoven parts of the challenge now facing the U.S. and the world. Fortunately, we can look to the citizens of Flint and the reaction and action from the the rest of the country as a sign of positive change – even though there is much still to be done.

 

Sources:

Michigan’s emergency manager law: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2011-2012/publicact/pdf/2011-PA-0004.pdf

History of Flint’s emergency managers:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_emergency_in_Michigan

Flint water switch: http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2014/04/closing_the_valve_on_history_f.html

How road salt and environmental racism caused a crisis in flint

http://www.autostraddle.com/how-road-salt-and-environmental-racism-caused-a-crisis-in-flint-324344/

General Motors shutting off Flint River water at engine plant over corrosion worries

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2014/10/general_motors_wont_use_flint.html

How the Flint River got so toxic

http://www.theverge.com/2016/2/26/11117022/flint-michigan-water-crisis-lead-pollution-history

Road Salt Contaminating Drinking Water, Urban Lakes

http://wmuk.org/post/road-salt-contaminating-drinking-water-urban-lakes

River chloride trends in snow-affected urban watersheds: increasing concentrations outpace urban growth rate and are common among all seasons

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969714017148

Flint Water Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34Q6ZXnKDA4

Michigan declares state of emergency: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/snyder/2016-01-05_Flint_Water_Governors_Declaration_Final_509966_7.pdf?20160105162343

America’s Lead poisoning problem isn’t just in Flint. It’s everywhere. http://www.vox.com/2016/1/21/10811004/lead-poisoning-cities-us
NYC Oasis: http://www.oasisnyc.net/map.aspx

Written by miriam

Striving to be "The Infinite Probability Drive within the Heart of Gold," Miriam's interests include accidentally purchasing everything in purple, going deep on the frisbee field, local food, and taking the stairs. She studied film at Middlebury College even though she won't admit it (her degree was in Environmental Studies).

Leave a Reply