Jackson mayor: residents face 'longer road ahead' before safe water is restored
Source: The Guardian
By Edward Helmore
The mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, where 150,000 people are still without safe drinking water after an infrastructure failure, said on Sunday residents face a much longer road ahead before services are fully restored in the majority Black city.
Speaking to ABCs This Week, Chokwe Antar Lumumba said there had been improvements, with water pressure restored to a majority of residents.
But he said the state capital was still in an emergency will be in an emergency even as the water is restored to every home and even as the boil water notice is lifted because that is the fragile state of our water treatment facility.
City officials said later water pressure had been restored to most customers.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/04/jackson-safe-clean-water-longer-road-ahead
peppertree
(21,526 posts)The residents are all th' wrong color, see.
jimfields33
(15,454 posts)Even if the governor lowered the amount of funds, you still have to make sure the equipment works and if not scream bloody murder before the emergency.
peppertree
(21,526 posts)I knew of a guy who was named 'physical plant director' of one of the state's better-known institutions - and within a few years had become one of the richest people in town, despite not having family money and despite its being a fairly modestly-remunerated public-sector post.
A lot of over-billing and (of course) kickbacks, one can't help but suspect.
Now - if you add deliberate state underfunding, it's a perfect storm.
You see - to many white Mississippians, Jackson is synonymous with 'n***ers'. I doubt there's another state where so many of its residents have such deep-seated hostility against its own capital city.
Polybius
(15,235 posts)Many upstataters hate us.
peppertree
(21,526 posts)It's the rivalry that besets all of the world's great cities, alas.
None greater though.
Irish_Dem
(45,619 posts)peppertree
(21,526 posts)White Democrats in Mississippi (and of course black ones) certainly understand that, and for the most part have a deep appreciation of Washigton's role in the state's development since FDR.
But It's hard to overstate the sheer hatred Mississippi Republicans have for the gummint - and for Kennedy.
"It all started with that damn' Yankee Kennedy," the older ones might tell you.
When Clinton was elected, I remember some of them moaning and bitching that "if he goes too far, we'll take him out - like Kennedy!"
Many still see November 22, 1963, with a kind of pride - "things being put back straight."
So that's why when I saw the GOP becoming radicalized into the semi-fascist outfit they are now, it didn't surprise me at all.
That's what I saw in Mississippi 30 years ago already.
Irish_Dem
(45,619 posts)peppertree
(21,526 posts)There are many exceptions to the Jim Crow bigot/far-right white southerner type.
But they are in the minority, and they usually keep quiet for fear of reprisals.
Evolve Dammit
(16,632 posts)DashOneBravo
(2,679 posts)I bet over 90% will have look up November 22, 1963
I travel all over the south and Texas. Ive been doing it 20 years. Some people like try to make seem, thats its 1968 but its not.
I just dont ever see that
lonely bird
(1,642 posts)While the majority of my work has been on wastewater some has been on water. Many municipalities have not raised rates deliberately so they can thump their chests. Much infrastructure from treatment plants to water mains to sewers are in poor repair. People will scream about costs and then scream when a catastrophe happens.
dembotoz
(16,737 posts)Irish_Dem
(45,619 posts)Generals siphoned off the military budget.
Lonestarblue
(9,878 posts)But then we know Republicans care only about the white country club set.
Especially in the Deep South.
https://democraticunderground.com/1060116
Down there, there's a downright genocidal edge that adds to the dynamic you mentioned.
JI7
(89,173 posts)The Media should be reporting these things but ..........................
Irish_Dem
(45,619 posts)jimfields33
(15,454 posts)Snoopy 7
(521 posts)This story is very true except the elephant in the room is still there. I saw various videos where people are saying they bought $100, or more, for bottle water. Then I saw how much they purchased and realized the price has been tripled by the grocery chain. That is the major crime PRICE GOUGING.
Evolve Dammit
(16,632 posts)Marthe48
(16,690 posts)The tap water was horrible, and we routinely bought water for drinking and coffee. We skipped a few years and went back. Lo and behold, the entire water treatment plant had been replaced and upgraded. The water was drinkable. Too bad Jackson isn't a resort town.
Initech
(99,910 posts)You elect stupid idiots like Tate Reeves who cuts regulations to the state's water supply, don't be surprised when you get something that looks like motor oil coming out of your faucet. Stop watching Fox, that shit is bad for you!
The Jungle 1
(4,552 posts)Institutional racism, also known as systemic racism, is a form of racism that is embedded in the laws and regulations of a society or an organization. It manifests as discrimination in areas such as criminal justice, employment, housing, health care, education, and political representation. Wikipedia
Zeitghost
(3,796 posts)Jackson has a majority Black City Council and a Black Mayor and it's been that way for some time.
The water system in Jackson has been mismanaged, but I'm not sure it has anything to do with race.
The Jungle 1
(4,552 posts)These people have been boiling drinking water for years. They remember their grandmothers boiling drinking water.
This is a major infrastructure project requiring billions which will require state and federal help. The problems have gone on for years. Like all cities they need state and federal government help. All cities get state and federal government help with major infrastructure projects. The state is majority republican and has refused to help.
Yes the city is 82% black with a 26.9% poverty rate. Let that sink in for a few moments. Why would any industry or business locate in this city when they don't have and haven't had clean water for years!!!!
Repuke house members in Mississippi voted against Bidens infrastructure bill!!!! Even thought their people desperately need the help!!! ****That folks is the face of systemic racism.****
Here is another example:
The city of Philadelphia and Reading, Pa school systems are a disaster. The state has a majority republican state congress. The schools do not get help. The per student funding is well below the suburbs! It is called systemic racism. The state actually took over control of the Philadelphia school system for many years. Nothing changed. Then the republicans admitted failure and gave control back to the school board. Still no money. The system is making improvements but still lags the suburbs. For a while they had almost a 50% drop out rate. That number has improved. Philadelphia is 43% black. Repukes hate Philadelphia. It votes D. Pa is Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with Pennsatucky in the middle.
Systemic racism is real.
Zeitghost
(3,796 posts)Systemic racism exists. I just don't think it is the driving force behind Jackson's water problems.
The Jungle 1
(4,552 posts)https://ctmirror.org/2022/09/04/mississippi-water-crisis-is-racism-to-the-umpteenth-degree-residents-say/
https://www.salon.com/2022/09/02/there-are-no-people-there-jacksons-water-crisis-explained/
We must stop making excuses for racism in our society.
Zeitghost
(3,796 posts)Not academic papers.
Jackson has mismanaged their water system for decades, under the leadership elected by their citizens. Those elected officials are to blame.
The Jungle 1
(4,552 posts)They are interviews with experts.
So what are your credentials to disprove my sources. You have offered no sources or facts to support your claims. I have presented several respected news sources.
The water problems in Jackson are systemic racism plain and simple.
Please present your argument.
Zeitghost
(3,796 posts)Q: Who controls the water system in Jackson? A: The City of Jackson
Q: Who controls the City of Jackson? A: The Mayor and City Council
Looking at the makeup of the Jackson City Council and Mayors office over the past few decades, they don't strike me as the type to engage in systemic racism... If you evidence to the contrary, by all means, please post it.
Are there racists at the State level who might be holding back assistance? Very possibly. But the root cause of this issue is decades of mismanagement by city leaders.
The Jungle 1
(4,552 posts)These people have been boiling drinking water for years. They remember their grandmothers boiling drinking water.
This is a major infrastructure project requiring billions which will require state and federal help. The problems have gone on for years. Like all cities they need state and federal government help. All cities get state and federal government help with major infrastructure projects. The state is majority republican and has refused to help.
Yes the city is 82% black with a 26.9% poverty rate. Let that sink in for a few moments. Why would any industry or business locate in this city when they don't have and haven't had clean water for years!!!!
Repuke house members in Mississippi voted against Bidens infrastructure bill!!!! Even thought their people desperately need the help!!! ****That folks is the face of systemic racism.****
I have supported all of these arguments and you have presented no argument with no support. This is now a circle jerk.
I can post it again if needed. The facts have not changed.
"But the root cause of this issue is decades of mismanagement by city leaders." Support that statement with sources.
Demonstrate the mismanagement as I have demonstrated and supported the systemic racism.
Zeitghost
(3,796 posts)Of systemic racism, you should probably have clear evidence. It seems you do not.
I understand that the state is full of racists and that many cut off their noses to spite their faces when it comes to things like BBB. But none of that explains why the city leaders dropped the ball on this issue.
The Jungle 1
(4,552 posts)That is clearly me supporting my position with clear evidence. I am quite sure you did not read the articles or you would not be trying to defend this systemic racism. The articles are well done and were many more.
You have presented nothing to support your position.
This is not how debate works. Support your position or stop. You are welcome to your opinion but not the facts.
Zeitghost
(3,796 posts)evidence of the actual people responsible doing or saying anything racist and I might agree.
If you want me to believe that a group of predominately African American politicians are racist, I'm going to need a little proof, not news articles deriding Mississippi State politicians, we all know the issues there. The City is responsible here and it's leaders, while flawed, don't appear to be racists.
The Jungle 1
(4,552 posts)Articles from major respected news outlets demonstrating the systemic racism in the state of Mississippi. You did not read them.
You have presented no support for your position even though I have asked several times. Your statements are repetitive
I have never said the politicians in Jackson are racist that is a lie and it is offensive. I do not like dishonesty and your dishonesty displays your desperation
I don't think you really care about this issue. You are just playing a ignorant cat and mouse game.
So fuck off I am done. You have once again put nothing on the table because you have no argument.
MissB
(15,800 posts)for water infrastructure (91 billion). It also has requirements in it for awards - including grants- to disadvantaged communities (which is actually quite awesome if states use that as intended).
Usually the $ is distributed by EPA through the state regulatory programs.
The $ could be there, if the state takes their share of funding.
The Jungle 1
(4,552 posts)They knew the state need the money and voted NO. They knew Jackson needed clean water and voted NO.
But I bet they will all be out there for the ribbon cutting!
I don't consider the bill very bipartisan considering only 13 republicans voted for it. Of course the republicans who voted against it are all bragging about the projects in their states.
Citizens United is destroying this nation. I am sorry but I don't want to play nice with these so called Americans. They have lost sight of the goal our founders expressed.
I hope the state does take advantage of the BBB money. I just want the republican representatives held to account.