A Flint native, I can’t quite stop thinking about the water crisis though I no longer live there. I wondered what my peers were thinking, so I asked them, via a form. They answered.
Sarah Foster: born in Flint, lives in the suburbs, mother of 1.
What is your relationship to Flint, Michigan?
Born and raised there; have family and friends that live there currently.
Do you currently live in Flint?
No.
When did you first become aware of a problem with the water in Flint?
When you knew it wasn’t right despite what you were being told.
How did you become aware of a problem with the water in Flint?
My family was talking about the quality.
How confident are you that this issue will be solved satisfactorily?
Skeptical.
What does a satisfactory solution look like to you?
Clear, clean, contaminant-free (not just lead) water.
Do you have family directly impacted by the water crisis?
Yes.
If yes, then how many?
0-5.
What do you want people to know about Flint?
That despite how it is depicted on tv, people have pride in this area. We aren’t all murders. We aren’t all on welfare. People work hard and choose to live in the city because they believe in it. The city has faced hard times and the leadership hasn’t handled those times well. There is a core group of people working hard to bring the city back to a place to be proud of.
Are you eligible to vote?
Yes.
Have you voted in the past?
Yes.
Will you vote in the future?
Yes.
What are your hopes for the city of Flint?
I’d love to be able to say “I’m from Flint” and not cringe. I’d like to not have Flint be the murder capital of the world (or in the top 3). I’d like for the world not to know Flint because of the negative reputation but because we managed to turn it around.