Just Living lecture series ends with environmental justice discussion.
By Katelyn Weisbrod
The “father of environmental justice” showed how the Flint water crisis is the most recent result in a pattern of unfair policies and planning.
Robert Bullard’s lecture concluded the University of Iowa Lecture Committee’s Just Living theme when he spoke in the Englert Theater, 221 E. Washington St., on Tuesday.
Bullard, a dean at Texas Southern University in Houston, focused on the recent crisis in Flint, Michigan, where high levels of lead were found in drinking water. This was the result of mismanagement by government officials, which, Bullard said, has happened in several communities over the last few decades, including Houston and New Orleans.
“The Flint water crisis follows a pattern of ineptness,” Bullard said. “The fact is that in many cases, communities don’t matter, and if you’re poor, you really don’t matter, and health is not given the same value in one community as it is in another community.”
Flint has a primarily low-income African-American population, which Bullard said is the reason it is an example of environmental injustice.
“Water is supposed to be colorless and odorless; it should not look like chocolate milk,” he said. “When we talk about access to clean water; it’s a basic human right, it’s common sense.”
Environmental justice ensures that no community reaps more benefits or bears more consequences of environmental effects than another, he said.
“We need to apply environmental justice as a frame as to how money is being spent, what policies are being put in place, who benefits, and what are the costs,” Bullard said. “We need to make sure all communities are treated fairly and equitably.”
Consuming high levels of lead can lead to learning disabilities and behavioral disorders, especially in children, Bullard said.
“For almost two years, people were drinking water that wasn’t safe to drink,” Bullard said. “The community at risk cannot vote, cannot write letters, cannot protest — they’re children.”
Bullard’s lecture brought an end to this semester’s Just Living series, which brought such speakers as cartoonist Alison Bechdel and activist Angela Davis to the UI.
“We had a really great year; all of our lectures went smoothly and were well-attended and served a lot people’s’ interests across campus,” UI Lecture Committee member Carter Bell said.
The Just Living theme brought attention to issues with justice relating to women, the LGBTQ community, and the environment.
“This theme semester invites us all to think deeply about ourselves, our values, our biases, and our privileges,” said Jasmine Kitterman, a Lecture Committee member. “We hope to gain strength and relationships with society and our environment.”
