Sociology

Option 1) Here, we explore the Flint Water Crisis, a prominent case of environmental racism. Understanding environmental racism as part of racial capitalism involves analyzing the relations between economic and racial inequality. How does the Flint Water Crisis show the interplay between economic and racial inequality? Explore the interplay between economic and racial inequality by examining the roles of (1) government (contemporary and historical), (2) capitalist economic imperatives (e.g., economic growth; profit motives), and (3) denial of medical results in the production of the Flint Water Crisis.

(Option 2) Critical Environmental Justice Studies is built on four pillars: intersectionality, multiple scales of analysis, contesting the state, and the treatment of marginalized populations as expendable by industry/the state. Choose 2 of 4 of these pillars, and apply them to the Flint Water Crisis. This can be interpreted broadly, including not only how it is a case of environmental racism but also the treatment of Mona Hanna-Attisha by government, for example.

One original post is due by midnight Tuesday (8/4) and two response posts to your classmates by midnight on Friday (8/7). Original posts are recommended to be 8-10 sentences long. Response posts are recommended to be 4-5 sentences long.

Below are the readings and video to read and watch prior to making your original discussion post:

https://www.nrdc.org/stories/flint-water-crisis-everything-you-need-know

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/racist-roots-of-flints-water-crisis_n_56b12953e4b04f9b57d7b118

Flint still does not have clean water

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha Interview on Democracy Now!