Social Justice and the Flint Water Crisis Linda Toomey

Social Justice Defined According to the Oxford Reference, Social Justice is defined as having the ”objective of creating a fair and equal society in which each individual matters, their rights are recognized and protected, and decisions are made in ways that are fair and honest” (2008).

Who are the people of flint? According to the United States Census Bureau, 41.5% of the estimated 102,400 residents of Flint live below the poverty level compared to a statewide average of 16.8%. The median household income reported 2009-2013 in Flint was $24,834, well below the statewide average of $48,411. In 2010, over half of the population was African American followed by whites at 41.39%. Over 80% of the population has a high school education, 11% have a bachelor’s degree. Just over half of the homes are owned with a median value of $41,700.

The impact of lead poisoning Lead poisoning affects the development of children's brains and nervous systems in irreversible ways and many problems are lifelong. Chidren have lower IQ’s and are more likely to have difficulty focusing and paying attention. difficulties include learning, speaking, and language processing. They're more likely to be impulsive and aggressive and to be diagnosed with ADHD. (Nelson, 2016) Children with moderate lead exposure are 30% more likely to fail 3rd grade reading and math. (CDC, 2015)

Youth population in Flint 8% of the population is under 5 years old. 27% of the population is under 18 years old. Taken from 2010 Census Data

Timeline April 25, 2014- Flint switches its water supply from Detroit’s system to the Flint River as a cost-saving measure. Residents notice the water’s color, taste and odor, and to report rashes. 4-5 Months Later- City officials issue boil-water advisories after bacteria is detected. (Did you know that lead contaminated water when boiled the lead is intensified?) 6 Months Later- A General Motors plant in Flint stops using municipal water, saying it corrodes car parts. 9 Months Later- Officials play down problems and say that the water is not an imminent “threat to public health.” 104 parts per billion of lead are detected in a home’s drinking water and the Environmental Protection Agency contacted. The E.P.A. does not require action until levels reach 15 parts per billion. 13 Months Later- Tests reveal high lead levels in two more Flint homes. 16 Months Later- Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) tells Flint to optimize corrosion control. Source: Lin, Park, and Rutter (2016) 17 Months Later- An expert on municipal water quality reports that the corrosiveness of water is causing lead to leach into the supply, the DEQ disputes those conclusions. doctors urges the city to stop using the Flint River for water after finding high levels of lead in the blood of children. State regulators insist the water is safe 18 Months Later- Flint city officials urges residents to stop drinking water. The govenor orders the distribution of filters, the testing of water in schools, and the expansion of water and blood testing. Flint reconnects to Detroit’s water. Residents are advised not to use unfiltered tap water for drinking, cooking or bathing. 21 Months Later- Flint adds additional corrosion controls. Flint declares an emergency. 22 Months Later- A state of emergency is issued for Genesee County, which includes Flint. President Obama declares a state of emergency in the city and surrounding county, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide up to $5 million in aid. The Michigan House approves $28 million requested by the governor to assist the city.

Environmental or racial injustice? Germanos, A. and Fulton, D. report on a correspondence with the man known as the father of environmental justice, Dr. Bob Bullard, (2016). Bullard, Dean in the School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University, writes Friday, "What happened in Flint is a blatant example of environmental injustice.“ "State regulators and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regional office in Chicago would have acted differently if this water crisis had taken place in a white suburb of Detroit," he wrote. "In studying the history of environmental justice, you see over and over that it generally takes longer for poor communities to be heard when they make complaints. Government officials received complaints in April 2014 expressing that something was wrong with the water in Flint. If regulators at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality had had to drink that water, or serve it to their children, their response would have been different," he added.

Lead in the water at home as a result of routine water testing In the elementary school my children attended recently, the water fountains have been turned off because of slightly elevated level of lead was found in two taps over the summer. Before the school year started, bottled water was brought in for the students and staff. Action has been taken to remove lead pipes causing the issue and retesting is scheduled for next month.

Who are the people of Dimondale? According to the United States Census Bureau, 92.7% of the 1,234 residents of Dimondale is white. Over 81% of the homes are owner occupied. Approximately 22% of the population are 18 years old and younger.

Would this happen in Dimondale? Photo: May, J.

References Benson, Steve. "Flint Water Department." Creators Syndicate. n.p., 2016. Print. Educational interventions for children affected by lead. (2015). Retrieved 17 feb. 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/publications/Educational_Interventions_Children_Affected_by_Lead.pdf Germanos, A. & Fulton, D. (2016, January 22). Rejecting Snyder’s claim, experts say poisoning of flint blatant racial injustice. Retrieved 17 Feb. 2016, From http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/01/22/rejecting-snyders-claim-experts-say-poisoning-flint-blatant-racial- injustice Lin, J., Park, H., & Rutter J. (2016, Jan. 21). Events that led to flint’s water crisis. The New York Times. Retrieved 17 Feb. 2016, From http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/01/21/us/flint-lead-water-timeline.html May, J. (Photographer). (2016, jan. 15). I’ve been poisoned by policy. [digital image]. Retrieved 17 Feb. 2016, from http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/01/michigan_attorney_general_inve.html Social Justice (2008-01-01). In . Oxfordreference.com. Retrieved 17 Feb. 2016, from http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100515279. U.S. Census Bureau. (2010). Dimondale Census Summary. Retrieved 17 Feb. 2016, From http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF U.S. Census Bureau. (2010). Flint Census Summary. Retrieved 17 Feb. 2016, From http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/26/2629000.html