Flint water crisis is environmental racism

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The poisoned water, which is brown, malodorous and bitter, according to residents, is a national scandal that began when the state appointed an emergency manager to oversee the financially beleaguered city, and switched the source of Flint’s water from Lake Huron to the Flint River. The state failed to treat the water correctly, the water corroded the pipes, and for more than a year, the city has been subjected to lead poisoning, which can be fatal, especially for children.

But the Flint situation, as bad as it seems, is not unique. Cities all over the country, primarily in poor and majority black communities, have long been subject to the kinds of environmental hazards that have put people at risk for brain damage, disease, and even death.

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Photo: Water bottle in darkness by Pulpolux !!!/ Flickr Creative Commons

Solomon Jones is an Essence bestselling author and award-winning columnist. He is the creator and editor of Solomonjones.com and morning host on 900 am WURD radio. Click here to learn more about Solomon.