Flint Michigan Water Crisis and Ethnic Differences

Sociology
Name
Institutional affiliation Sociology
Flint water crisis
Flint Michigan has brought a lot of controversy in America. This was because of the cases of lead corroding the city’s water pipes hence contaminating drinking water. This led to a big public health crisis to the extent that President Obama declared a state of emergency there. The problem began in early 2014 when the city opted to change its water supplier. Residents who are mostly blacks started complaining almost immediately about the water, but the state officials dismissed them claiming there was no significant problem. In 2015, the city decided to move back to its original supplier but unfortunately, the damage was done. According to the world health organization, high levels of lead in the blood are harmful to children and pregnant women (Washington & Pellow, 2016). It has often been associated with learning disabilities, problems in the behavior of children and worse cases have been associated with mental retardation.
In September 2016, the United States Congress passed a bill to spend $270 million in aid to the people of Flint especially those affected by the lead seepage. The water resources development act as it is widely known indicates that there will be no immediate funding for the water infrastructure. It rather provides a layout for future federal spending especially those which have been approved by Congress. This is a clear indication that the government is only giving promises instead of providing supplies to the people who need it. Recently, during presidential aspirants, Donald Trump`s visit to the city locals had made posters using plastic bottles that they get water with. This clearly shows that the people are still purchasing drinking water and the government should offer help.
Ethnic differences
The issue of ethnic differences has a lot controversy surrounding it. There has been a big question on whether the issue will eve...