In August 2022, Jackson, Mississippi – a city where 83% of residents are Black – faced a catastrophic water system collapse after flooding overwhelmed its century-old treatment plant. The crisis left thousands without safe drinking water, spotlighting what activists call a legacy of racial inequality in America’s infrastructure spending.
NBC News linked the disaster to decades of underinvestment rooted in systemic racism, with water pipes dating back to the early 1900s. CGTN reporters documented residents navigating toxic lead-contaminated water, underfunded schools, and crumbling roads. \\"Our city’s been forgotten,\\" said local Margaret Simons, describing Jackson as \\"in shambles.\\"
Data shows Mississippi allocated just $3 million to water infrastructure upgrades in 2022 despite federal COVID-19 relief funds. The crisis has reignited debates about environmental justice, with 74% of Black-majority U.S. cities reporting aging water systems versus 40% in predominantly white areas, per EPA studies.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
