Trash Water in Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi, offers a wealth of culture, history, and economic opportunities. However, measurable goals must be in place for these amenities to manifest. The citizens deserve clean water and substantial infrastructure. Instead, Jackson is involved in a garbage collection war — paying more for fewer services.
Local and national news outlets report negative headlines regarding Mississippi: employment rates, class disparity, poverty rates, quality and affordability of housing, affordable access to quality healthcare, quality and availability of education, the incidence of disease, infrastructure, economic growth, environmental quality, and crime — whew! The standard of living has to improve along with quality-of-life.
Claims that Jackson’s tap water is safe for consumption are untrue. There are visible water contaminants left in cookware after boiling water. How can it be safe to drink or bathe in this water? The City of Jackson violated Section 301 of the Clean Water Act and the terms and conditions of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits. Alleged violations include more than 2,300 sanitary sewer overflows, the prohibited system bypasses, operation and maintenance failures, and effluent limit violations. What happens to water in the system between boil water notices? How can food at local restaurants be safe?
Jackson’s 125-plus homicides in 2022 are not interpersonal incidents. We are bound by social contracts, especially when lives are in peril. There is an opportunity to solve these problems while they are most relevant. Residents of this 82% Black community live in societal imbalance while immersed in divisive concepts. There is a high tolerance for the agony of Blacks. These are challenges to face with information and action.
MS SB2113 is a symbolic victory for the conservative agenda and feeds confirmation bias. K/12 public schools in Mississippi (or the United States) wherein students critically analyze any theory of insufficiencies in Civil Rights Law do not exist. History requires inclusion and accuracy, not revision. The Civil Rights of Mississippians are being eliminated strategically. More of the same will follow if we are not vigilant.
The Mississippi State Flag has changed. The Mississippi State Song changed because of its origin and ties to a former separatist governor, but the name of a popular municipal reservoir remains the same. Jacksonians reside under pernicious legislature and power structures. Collective memory may blur past events, yet we must believe the future is bright. What does Jackson mean to its elected officials, and what is the purpose of their infighting?
Making the capital city a shining example of development, improvement, and progress is timeless and honorable. How will it shine without being clean?
Mississippi government shoulders the weight of elected authority. Do they act on behalf of the will of their constituents? Mississippians depend on state government in their homes and rely on them to create safe communal spaces. When will they start?