Beyond the Water: The Real Problem in Flint, Michigan.”

• In Event: Let them Eat Lead: Flint, Race and the Devastating Effects of Neoliberalism in the World

Abstract

There has been much “political” coverage over the recent lead-infected water problems in Flint, Michigan. Beyond a doubt this is a horrific ordeal. Some political figures have now brought this to the attention of the American public. However, our concern for this paper is that Flint has undergone horrific experiences in unemployment, poor housing and living conditions since the General Motors plant closures that began in the 1980s. Flint has been rated the city with the most per-capita homicides in the country. The people of Michigan have a 1 in 234 chances of becoming a victim of violent crime (which includes Detroit), while the chances of becoming a victim of violence in Flint, Michigan is 1 in 58. Over 40 percent of Flint’s population lives in poverty. The poverty rate for Michigan is just over 16 percent. Flint Michigan has one of the highest drug abuse rates in the country. This paper addresses the real problems of Flint and raises the question why do we care what kind of water those in poverty drink – while we haven’t cared about their other despicable living conditions.

Authors

• William B. Brown, Western Oregon University

• Stephanie Kaplan, University of Nevada, Las Vegas