Flint Water Crisis Environmental Injustice

1.0 Introduction

Flint Water Crisis is one of the worst incident of toxic lead poisoning to occur in the history of the city and in Michigan. This crisis occurred in April 2014 as an unprecedented consequence of austerity measures that were adopted in the city of Flint to deal with the existing financial crisis. The measures to address Flint’s financial crisis involved utilizing the Flint river as the main water supply for the city. As a result of this decision, Flint Water Crisis emerged and affected poor communities and minorities living in the city. Since then, this issue has attracted considerable attention and become the subject of numerous studies. The existing studies on this issue focus on examining the different aspects relating to it with respect to its cause and impact on the communities. This paper examines Flint Water Crisis from an environmental perspective since its regarded as a case of environmental racism. The evaluation will entail the use of sociological and environmental concepts and theories for a better understanding of the environmental racism relating to Flint Water Crisis.
1.1 Importance of the Issue
Flint Water Crisis is an important issue for various stakeholders including environmentalists, policymakers, and sociologists. This issue is important because it highlights environmental injustice carried out by a government towards poor communities and minorities. The focus by Flint’s local government on costs of water supply in the city without consideration of the probable health and well-being effects on poor communities and blacks was an indicator of environmental injustice. The state and local health officials failed in their responsibilities to safeguard the health and wellbeing of communities. Flint Water Crisis is an important issue since it’s not a case of environmental pollution, which is usually the cause of environmental injustice, but a case of the local state acting in a neoliberalism manner (Pulido, 2016).
1.2 Research Question/Thesis Statement
Research Question
In light of the importance of the issue, the researcher has identified a research question that will guide this study. The research question to be answered in this study is, “How is the Flint Water Crisis a reflection of environmental racism or injustice rather than a case of an unprecedented environmental pollution?”
Thesis Statement
The Flint Water Crisis is a reflection of how the city’s local government has devalued the lives of its people to an extent that they are subordinated to the financial solvency objectives of the municipal.
1.3 Roadmap of the Paper
This paper commences with identification of a relevant theory that relate to the thesis statement and will help answer the research question. In this case, the researcher will discuss how the Theory of Environmental Racism relates to the research issue and question as well as the thesis statement. This is followed by conducting a comprehensive literature review on the issue using peer-reviewed sociological resources. When conducting the review, the researcher will focus on identifying important environmental and sociological concepts established in the literature on this issue. Additionally, the literature review will be utilized by the researcher to develop the thesis and answer the research question. The next step will entail development of thesis and answering the research question based on issues raised in the literature. In this case, the researcher will identify at least three arguments that support the thesis and help in answering the research question. Lastly, the researcher will provide a conclusion that summarizes the findings and most significant insight obtained from the study.
2.0 Theory
The most relevant theory to Flint Water Crisis is Environmental Racism since the crisis was fueled by environmental injustice by the relevant government officials in the city of Flint and Michigan.
2.1 Summary of the Theory
Environmental Racism theory suggests that environmental injustice occurs when minority neighborhoods disproportionately share a huge environmental burden in comparison to white neighborhoods in the event of a nationwide, state or local phenomenon (Ulezalka, 2007). This theory refers to any policies, directives or practices that disproportionately affect communities on the basis of race or skin color. This theory was developed on the premise that environmental mismanagement results in disproportionate economic and environmental impacts, particularly on minority groups or communities.
According to Dicochea (2012), the social force of race with respect to natural resources plays an important role in the development of environmental justice in the United States. As a result, there is evidence in existing literature to demonstrate that environmental justice is rooted in dominant value systems across various social structures and discourses. These dominant value systems are the premise with which Environmental Racism theory is established. This theory suggests that environmental injustice with respect to handling of natural resources is a reflection of discriminatory dominant values in social structures.
2.2 Link Between the Theory and the Thesis Statement
The theory of Environmental Racism is strongly linked to the Flint Water Crisis and the thesis statement. Pulido (2016) contends that the Flint Water Crisis was not caused by a polluter lessening costs or a reckless emitter, which are usually the causes of environmental injustice. This crisis was brought by an act of environmental racism since the relevant officials in the city of Flint acted within the context of neoliberalism. In this regard, environmental racism theory provides a suitable framework for understand the crisis, developing the thesis statement, and answering the research question. The significance of this theory in development of the thesis is attributable to the fact that it establishes the link between governmental policies, directives or practice and disproportionate economic/environmental impact on communities. The disproportionate effect significantly affects individuals, groups or communities on the basis of race or color (Ulezalka, 2007). As a result, this theory provides a suitable foundation for analyzing the issue since Flint Water Crisis significantly affected poor communities and African Americans who are the majority population in the city. In this regard, environmental racism will help in development of the thesis through examining race and class factors in Flint Water Crisis.
3.0 Literature Review
3.1 Summary of Relevant Findings
Campbell, Greenberg, Mankikar & Ross (2016) conducted a study in which they examined the Flint Water Crisis through an environmental injustice perspective. These researchers contend that the failure by the city to properly treat its municipal water system following a change in the main water source contributed to an environmental injustice. In this case, the environmental injustice is attributable to the fact that the environmental disaster mostly affected the majority African-American population and poor communities living in Flint. Campbell, Greenberg, Mankikar & Ross (2016) concluded that facts in the Flint Water Crisis demonstrates that it was incident that was fueled by environmental injustice. Even though the African-American community in the city had raised concerns and complaints regarding water quality following the change in the municipal water source, these issues were seemingly ignored by the relevant public officials and agencies. Additionally, state officials in this city decided to save money without consideration of environmental protections for the affected communities.
In concurrence, Pulido (2016) argue that state officials in Flint focused on cost savings through changing the water system at the expense of the health and well-being of the communities living in the city. Pulido (2016) further states that the Fling Water Crisis was brought by the decision by the local state to act within the neoliberalism context. Through this context, state officials in the city of Flint demonstrate how they devalued people lives by subordinating them for the municipal goals of financial solvency. This research suggests that for these state officials, addressing the then financial crisis in the city of Flint was more important than environmental protections for its population and communities. However, unlike Campbell, Greenberg, Mankikar & Ross (2016), Pulido (2016) argues that one of the sociological components of Flint Water Crisis is racial capitalism. Racial capitalism postulates that existing capitalism exploits social and cultural differences based on gender, nationality, race, and region. Flint Water Crisis reflects racial capitalism on the basis that financial solvency goals were utilized to exploit social and cultural differences, particularly race.
Bellinger (2016) concurs with Campbell, Greenberg, Mankikar & Ross (2016) and Pulido (2016) by arguing that Flint Water Crisis is a reflection of an abject failure to safeguard public health. Bellinger (2016) seemingly concurs with Pulido (2016) on the issue of racial capitalism by suggesting that the local state officials in the city of Flint prioritized financial solvency costs as the expense of the public health of the poor communities and African-Americans in the city. While the local population and communities raised concerns regarding water quality following the change in the municipal source of water, these concerns were largely ignored by the relevant authorities. Through this, the city of Flint committed a social crime by endangering the lives of its communities and ignoring their complaints and concerns.
Salinsky (2016) conducted a study in which he examined the Flint Water Crisis by comparing it to the 1993 Milwaukee cryptosporidium parvum outbreak. The comparison was conducted using an environmental justice perspective since both incidents were associated with significant environmental impacts. Through the comparison, Salinsky (2016) concluded that Flint Water Crisis was a case of environmental injustice. These findings concurred with the results of the previously examined studies. The conclusion that Flint Water Crisis was a case of environmental injustice is attributable to the fact that the situation received poor response from relevant authorities in comparison to the Milwaukee crisis. Even though the cities’ population demographics are relatively similar, there was better government response to the Milwaukee as compared to Flint Water Crisis. The better response in Milwaukee is attributable to the fact that it’s surrounding areas have predominantly white populations with high incomes. In Flint Water Crisis, the government was relatively reluctant to respond since it impacted poor communities and people of color, which is an indicator of environmental injustice and racism.
Oz & Bisgin (2016) provide a different perspective of Flint Water Crisis by stating that it was a man-made disaster. According to these researchers, the crisis was man-made disaster since it was a reflection of government failure at all levels. First, the government prioritized financial solvency goals without consideration of environmental issues that could emerge from switching the municipal main water source. Secondly, when populations in the city complained regarding the water quality, the government was reluctant to respond until the environmental impacts became widespread and severe. From a sociological perspective, Oz & Bisgin (2016) attribute responsibility and blame for Flint Water Crisis on governmental failure at all levels despite the numerous efforts by citizens to express their dissatisfaction and concerns.
According to Dettloff & Bernico (2017), Flint Water Crisis highlights three major domains of human experience i.e. ontology, responsibility, and social exclusion. In this regard, the crisis is the invention of the public water infrastructure in Flint. Following the change in the municipal’s water source, the explication for the aftermath of the crisis progresses from ontology to responsibility (politics) then to social exclusion. With respect to ontology, the water contained lead, lacked corrosion control treatment, and was potentially harmful for consumption. In relation to responsibility (politics), consumption of the water contributed to lead poisoning among the various communities in the city including children. These communities raised complaints or concerns regarding water quality, but the relevant officials initially ignored and were reluctant to address the concerns. Responsibility for this crisis is attributed to the local state officials in the city (Oz & Bisgin, 2016; Dettloff & Bernico, 2017). The situation highlighted the social exclusion of the poor communities and majority African-American population who were disproportionately affected by the water crisis.
3.2 Important Sociological and Environmental Concepts in Literature
The literature demonstrates two major sociological and environmental concepts relating to the Flint Water Crisis. The environmental concept raised in literature on this issue is the concept of environmental injustice or racism. This tragedy highlighted a series of systemic problems that disproportionately affected the poor communities and marginalized African-American populations in the city (Duke Law News, 2017). The local state government failed to protect human rights of these communities, promote environmental justice, and demonstrate accountability. The important sociological concept highlighted in literature is social isolation or exclusion in which the affected individuals feel powerless and meaningless. From a sociological perspective, the issue went beyond the individual level to affect the entire community (Fehlbaum, 2016). The social isolation or exclusion in this crisis is evident in the fact that while these communities raised concerns, their complaints were ignored by the government. As a result, these communities felt excluded or isolated from environmental protections by the local government in Flint.
3.3 Significance of the Sources
These sources are vital in developing this thesis and answering the research question on the issue of Flint Water Crisis. The sources play a crucial role in this paper since they provide vital sociological and environmental concepts underpinning the water tragedy. Since the thesis focuses on environmental racism in Flint Water Crisis, it requires an understanding of sociological and environmental concepts. Therefore, the sources play an important role in identifying and examining these concepts and utilizing them to develop the thesis and answer the research question. Moreover, the researcher combines these concepts with the environmental racism theory to demonstrate why Flint Water Crisis is a state-caused tragedy.
4.0 Discussion
The comprehensive review of existing literature on this issue provides significant insights on the causes of Flint Water Crisis. From the existing literature reviewed in this study, one of the emerging issues is that environmental injustice played a major role in Flint Water Crisis. Even though the decision by the government to switch the municipal water source was justified in terms of financial insolvency goals, the decision to ignore environmental protections contributed to environmental injustice. Through this process, the government adopted a water management policy and practice that worked to the disadvantage of the city’s population, particularly blacks and poor communities. The disadvantage from this situation is evident in the fact that the government failed to consider the probable environmental impacts of the new water source on poor communities and the majority African-American population. The city’s local government were aware of the potential environmental impacts because of the lack of corrosion control treatment in the new water source. Despite recognizing the lack of this vital component for safe water, the local state government failed to ensure that this vital component was integrated in the water source. The other factor that demonstrates environmental injustice is the government’s ignorance to address concerns and complaints by these communities regarding water quality. In essence, the government discriminated against these communities by failing to address their environmental concerns until the impact became severe and widespread. It is quite clear that there was environmental discrimination by the government against the poor communities and African-American population in Flint Water Crisis.
Secondly, the situation surrounding Flint Water Crisis shows social isolation of the communities in Flint. Apart from ignoring the emerging environmental concerns relating to the new municipal water system, social isolation is evident in the fact that the local government prioritized financial solvency goals over the wellbeing of the communities. In this case, this decision was a reflection of neoliberal practice that worked to the detriment of environmental wellbeing of the city’s population and communities. Neoliberalism is policy model in the field of economics and social studies in which the government transfers its control of economic factors to the private sector. The City of Flint relied on racial capitalism as the neoliberal practice for changing the municipal water source. The city was facing deteriorating infrastructure and require changes in policy and practice to achieve its desired goals of financial solvency. As a result, the government decided to change the city’s water source in order to achieve financial solvency objectives. During this process, the government disregarded the interests of the communities, which were largely poor and African-American. By disregarding the interests of the communities, the government socially isolated or excluded these people on the basis of race or color. The government seemed nonchalant to the fact that changes in the municipal water system and infrastructure were affecting poor people and blacks.
Third, the case of Flint Water Crisis was an exacerbation of racial and social injustices perpetrated by the government against local residents. From a sociological perspective, social injustices were the premise with which the environmental impacts of Flint Water Crisis became widespread and more severe. The government could have mitigated these impacts in the early stages of the crisis through timely and effective response to concerns and complaints that were initially raised regarding water quality. However, when these concerns started to emerge, local state officials downplayed them and told citizens that it would be addressed in due course. These were empty promises that ended up worsening the situation and exacerbating its impacts. As a result, the government committed social and racial injustice through providing abysmal response to a growing problem.
5.0 Conclusion
Flint Water Crisis is one of the major recent tragedies in the history of the city and the United States. This crisis was characterized by toxic lead poisoning of the municipal water system following the government’s decision to change the water source. This analysis has demonstrated that the crisis is a reflection of environmental racism or injustice by the government. The local state government failed to demonstrate accountability by prioritizing financial solvency goals over the wellbeing and environmental protection of its citizens. Lack of accountability is also attributable to the government’s abysmal response to concerns regarding water quality until severe environmental impacts became widespread. Therefore, the government undervalued the lives of its people in favor of financial solvency.
References
Bellinger, D.C. (2016, March 24). Lead Contamination in Flint – An Abject Failure to Protect Public Health. The New England Journal of Medicine, 374, 1101-1103.
Campbell, C., Greenberg, R., Mankikar, D. & Ross, R.D. (2016, October). A Case Study of Environmental Injustice: The Failure in Flint. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(10). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5086690/
Dettloff, D. & Bernico, M. (2017). Atmoterrorism and Atmodesign in the 21st Century: Mediating Flint’s Water Crisis. Cosmos and History: The Journal of Natural and Social Psychology, 13(1), 156-189.
Dicochea, P.R. (2012). Discourses of Race & Racism Within Environmental Justice Studies: An Eco-Racial Intervention. Ethnicity and Race in a Changing World: A Review Journal, 3(2), 17-28.
Duke Law News. (2017, January 13). Flint Crisis Yields Lessons in Social Justice, Law, and Policy. Duke University. Retrieved from https://law.duke.edu/news/flint-crisis-yields-lessons-social-justice-law-and-policy/
Fehlbaum, A. (2016, January 25). Don’t Drink the Water: The Crisis in Flint from a Sociological Perspective. Sociology in Focus. Retrieved from http://sociologyinfocus.com/2016/01/dont-drink-the-water-the-crisis-in-flint-from-a-sociological-perspective/
Oz, T. & Bisgin, H. (2016, October). Attribution of Responsibility and Blame Regarding a Man-made Disaster: #FlintWaterCrisis. Social Web for Disaster Management, 16. Retrieved from https://arxiv.org/pdf/1610.03480.pdf
Pulido, L. (2016, July 27). Flint, Environmental Racism, and Racial Capitalism. Capitalism Nature Socialism, 27(3), 1-16.
Salinsky, J.I. (2016, August 1). Comparing the 2014-2016 Flint Water Crisis to the 1993 Milwaukee Cryptosporidium Outbreak. Environmental Justice, 9(4), 119-128.
Ulezalka, T. (2007). Race and Waste: The Quest for Environmental Justice. Temple Journal of Science Technology and Environmental Law, 26(1), 51-73.