From Flint: Voices of a Poisoned City

Gr 6 Up—In April 2014, the city of Flint, MI, switched its water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River. The objective was to save money. However, the river water was not treated properly, resulting in corrosion in the old lead pipes and causing significantly high levels of lead to leach into the water supply, which is extremely harmful, especially to children and pregnant women. Although complaints started immediately about the quality of the water, city and state officials denied any problems for several months. Flint is a predominantly black and poor city, and charges of racism were raised. This brief film gives voice to the people affected by this tragedy. Comments at public meetings and rallies and in interviews capture the despair and anger of those impacted. Created by students at Michigan State University as a class project, this well-meaning work clearly exhibits the failure of government at all levels and the ensuing personal adversities suffered. Although somewhat short on information, the piece will be of particular interest to students who want to learn about the effect of government actions on people's lives.