Jackson’s Water Crisis Highlights Ongoing Struggle for Basic Human Rights
In late August 2022, the residents of Jackson, Mississippi, found themselves without access to clean water after a devastating flood damaged the city’s main water treatment facility. This crisis has brought to the forefront the longstanding issues plaguing the city’s water infrastructure, which dates back over a century.
With Black people comprising nearly 83% of Jackson’s population, the water crisis has disproportionately affected communities already facing systemic challenges. National media, including NBC News, have commented on how the situation stems from years of neglect and exploitation rooted in racial inequality. The frequent water shortages and boil-water advisories have become a stark reminder of deep-rooted issues within the nation.
Local resident Delaney Coats shared her daily struggles amidst the crisis. “We have to stockpile water because of the severe pollution, but many people can’t afford it,” she said. “Some of us can’t bathe regularly or cook at home. Having clean running water should be a basic human right, which many people don’t really get.”
The situation in Jackson has prompted calls for urgent attention to infrastructure investment and equitable resource distribution. Community leaders and activists are advocating for sustainable solutions to ensure that all residents have access to one of life’s most fundamental necessities: clean water.
The water crisis not only underscores the immediate needs of Jackson’s residents but also highlights broader issues of racial inequality and neglect in infrastructure within the United States. As the city works towards restoring safe water access, the hope is that this will lead to long-term changes that address systemic problems and uphold the basic human rights of all communities.
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Jackson resident: Many people don't really get basic human rights
cgtn.com
