A Cry for the People of Flint

I am mad and outraged about the Flint, Michigan water crisis.  Flint is a very poor, majority African-American city, with no political power, no lobbyists, and no money. In the spring of 2014, the city of Flint decided to stop using Detroit's water system and instead began pumping its water from the Flint River. This was a cost-cutting measure designed as a temporary measure until the city could connect to a regional water system which was under construction. When the residents of Flint told Republican Governor Snyder their children were getting sick two years ago, guess what? He didn’t listen. Fast forward, now the city has switched back to the Detroit water system but the water from the Flint River damaged the city's water pipes and released lead and other pollutants from the pipes into the water supply.

The Flint water crisis is so bigger than a hashtag. It’s a call to action to hold those in elected positions accountable. Many activists believe the situation was mishandled and the fault lies at local, state and federal levels of government. Some are even calling for Gov. Rick Snyder’s resignation.

Is Flint's water crisis a natural disaster? A disaster of poor management based on cost-cutting by any means necessary? or A version of racial genocide. 

No matter where you stand on this horrible issue, the fact remains that the situation on the ground is saddening because there are so many people who still do not have filters to protect themselves from lead in their tap water. The news reports that there is no government-run program for giving bottled water to people who cannot afford to buy it. If you need water in Flint, the best option is to turn to one of the local nonprofits that are giving it away. These nonprofits are running solely on donations. 

Kurt Vonnegut’s, Harrison Bergeron, challenges us with the question, “What do we owe those of our fellow citizens who are worse off through no fault of their own?” 

We owe them our prayers, our voices, and our support.

For Donations:

Go to www.flintkids.org and click on "Donate Now" in upper right.

or

Call the United Way at 810-232-8121
Community Foundation of Greater Flint at 810-767-8279.

The Salvation Army of Genesee County is also accepting donations to pay for water, filters and to pay delinquent water bills for residents who have received shutoff notifications. To donate:

Web: Go to www.salmich.org

Via smartphone: Text "WATER" to 91999

Phone: 877-SAL-MICH

Mail:  Salvation Army Flint Water Crisis, 211 W. Kearsley, Flint 48502

In Support of the People of Flint,

Robin