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For the past six years, Flint experienced one of the worst acts of environmental injustice in recent history. The malpractice that precipitated the Flint water crisis caused a dozen deaths and made nearly a hundred individuals extremely ill. Thousands more were exposed to toxic lead contaminants that will impact the community for years to come. The majority of those affected are Black.
Recently, nine former Michigan officials were charged for their roles in the Flint water crisis, including former Governor of Michigan Rick Snyder, who is facing misdemeanor charges punishable by up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. Charges, especially against the former governor, are progress. It’s an acknowledgment of the pain and suffering Flint continues to endure.
But these egregious crimes cannot be dismissed as simply a misdemeanor offense. This tells Flint residents of color as well, as Black and brown Americans across the country, that their health, safety and security are not paramount.
We cannot allow those who purposefully cut corners and neglected their responsibility to guard our health to get off with such little accountability. In August, Flint residents reached a $600 million preliminary settlement that would provide aid for residents suffering the effects of long-term lead poisoning, including special education for children living with lasting health impacts. This rightfully drew criticism as too little to adequately deal with the damages caused by the contamination. Former Flint Mayor Karen Weaver called the settlement a “slap in the face.” These misdemeanor charges are yet another slap in the face.
As a longtime organizer and environmental justice activist working directly with the residents of Flint, Michigan, I have seen first hand how detrimental the lack of concern, carelessness, deep-seated racism and pure incompetence has been to the people of Flint.
The crisis in Flint exposed nearly 30,000 children to toxic lead, resulting in neurological damage that has overwhelmed the area’s public school system. Women in Flint experienced life-altering impacts with miscarriages and other reproductive health challenges due to the corrosive water. Six years after the crisis was first reported, 15% of Flint’s lead pipes have yet to be replaced and some communities still lack access to safe water.
The lack of transparency from Michigan officials and lackluster charges, in this case, makes one thing abundantly clear — the well-being of Black and brown bodies continues to be ignored. The crisis in Michigan highlights how intertwined public health, environmental rights and racism has become.
The most polluted ZIP code in Michigan, 48217, is 81%, Black. Four of the five most polluting refineries in Michigan are within five miles of this ZIP code — this figure echoes throughout the rest of the country. Black Americans are 75% more likely to live in fenceline communities that border polluting facilities like oil and gas refineries. Meanwhile, amid a global pandemic, communities of color disproportionately heed the consequences of this debilitating disease.
Throughout the country, Black and brown Americans continue to fight for the right to clean water, land and air.
We can and must do better for our communities of color. January 20, 2021 marked the inauguration of Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Both Biden and Harris campaigned on extensive environmental justice reform and finally addressed the extreme disparities the Black and brown Americans must endure.
We are seeing some steps in the right direction, however, there is still a lot of work to be done from institutional powers to ensure that all Americans are protected.
These charges on Synder and Michigan officials are minimal compared to the immense suffering that Flint residents have had to live through for the past six years.These charges are extremely disappointing, and a clear sign that this country must do more to bring true climate and environmental justice to Black and brown Americans in this country.
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LaTricea Adams is the founder, CEO, and President of Black Millennials 4 Flint and co-chair of the Climate Power 2020 Michigan State Advisory Board.
