The current crisis began Monday when floodwaters from the Pearl River pushed a poorly functioning water treatment plant to total failure. A large portion of the city did not have running water, and the rest had a trickle of dirty water. For a little perspective, we’ve had a boil water advisory since July. This is reflective of decades of deterioration.
We are weary and just want to have a clean and reliable water source. The ongoing blame of “Jackson’s Democratic leadership” sounds racist and sounds like it is something a majority Black city somehow deserves. It is a talking point that highlights a clear example of environmental racism. Mississippi always makes the number one spot on “Top Ten Most Awful States to Be Alive” for anything relating to the quality of life. Feel free to connect that to years of Republican leadership, but I choose to focus my energy and efforts on wanting more for all Mississippians and Jacksonians.
The fact that Jackson is the capital city and the seat of government implies that the state should invest in a functioning water system. The footprint of Jackson is massive, and the declining population has made it impossible to keep up with the scale of improvements needed. Access to clean water is a basic human need; we should want that for everyone.
WAYS TO HELP
Mississippi Rapid Response Coalition-Water Fund Donation Link
Community Foundation For Mississippi Ways to Help Resource Link