Flint Water Crisis What Can Be Done

Gilianne Rangel

Professor Almanza

ENGL 1301.359

25 September 2019

Flint Water Crisis: What Can Be Done

The town of Flint in Michigan suffered one of the worst public health crises in the country. In the year 2014, the town administration decided to stop supplying the city with water from the Detroit system, choosing instead to get water from the Flint River. The river water turned out to be unsafe, leading to lead levels far above the acceptable levels as per public health regulations. The informative article titled, “We Still Haven’t Made Things Right in Flint” by Irwin Redlener published in the Washington Post gives insight into the deplorable condition of the water in Flint. It is unfortunate that the children of Flint have to suffer severe consequences from lead poisoning in the twenty-first century. Most of the families in the city are poor and vulnerable, and as such, they can hardly afford to take the necessary steps to mitigate the effects of lead poisoning. Redlener effectively employs his argument using the rhetorical appeals of logos and pathos by using statistical evidence and appeals to emotion.

Throughout this article, Redlener uses logos to apprise his audience that the issues with the water supply in Flint, Michigan, have not been secured. The author cites statistics to bring a clear picture to the readers of the article. The first example of this is, “The highest lead level recorded in Flint was 13,000 parts per billion (ppb) in 2015. This was more than 866 times the federal guideline of 15 ppb” (Redlener Par.3). This statement shows the high level of negligence and irresponsibility of Flint’s leadership, as well as the serious effects of the high levels of lead in the water. The second example of the use of logos is, “The state subsidies to help poor families pay for water- not granted until 2016 and unfortunately revoked in 2017” (Redlener Par.13). From this statement, it is clear that the city’s administration remains uncommitted to solving the water supply crisis. The subsidy hardly lasted for a year, despite the challenges that low-income families face in trying to get safe drinking water. The third instance of logos is found in the fourth paragraph of the article, “To date, 15 Michigan officials have been indicted over the scandal. But that won’t help the estimated up to 12,000 children exposed to excessive lead, most of them from Flint’s poorest families” (Redlener Par.4) The numbers quoted shows the gravity of the situation, more than 12000 children will suffer grave effects of lead exposure. The 15 officials indicted shows that the irresponsible decisions of a few people stand to affect so many people.

As well as the use of logos, Redlener uses pathos to express his emotions towards this occurring tragedy. Pathos uses emotional appeals to reinforce the author’s argument further. One example of pathos is, “Pipes from main lines to some 6,200 homes have been replaced. Sadly, that still leaves more than 12,000 homes where, after nearly four years of stalling and fighting for dollars, the pipes still need replacing” (Redlener Par.7). A significant number of homes still need pipes replaced, and the city has done very little towards solving the serious crisis. The article also emphasizes the high risk and severe health and developmental consequences to which the water supply exposes the children. “Still, the biggest worry is what this disaster means for the future of Flint’s most vulnerable children” (Redlener Par.11). Most families in Flint are poor and are unable to do much to get safe drinking water. They rely on the city water supply. To further emphasize the point, the author questions the commitment of charitable organizations. “How about some of the United States’ great charitable organizations committing to providing bottled water to any family that feels insecure with the safety of their public water system” (Redlener Par. 13). This question asks the charitable organizations to step up their efforts in support of some of the most vulnerable and helpless populations of Flint.

In conclusion, Redlener reports on the situation in Flint accurately using both logos and pathos. The use of logos uses facts and figures, lending credence to the article. The use of pathos helps the reader to sympathize with the people of Flint. The children of the city are most affected by the exposure to lead, threatening their future and the future of the country in general. The article highlights the blatant disregard for the residents of Flint, as well as the need for urgent action to mitigate the water crisis in the city.

Works Cited

Redlener, Irwin. “We Still Haven’t Made Things Right in Flint.” The Washington Post. 8 March 2018. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/we-still-havent-made-things-right-in-flint/2018/03/07/5c700692-2211-11e8-badd-7c9f29a55815_story.html