How might water be used as a weapon of racism? by Joshua Katzman

Life Without Clean Water

jkatzman1 — 2021-03-26 18:36:04 UTC

After watching this video explain, using details from the video, why is it important to have clean/safe water to drink, cook, and clean?

Does this video make you think getting clean water is only a problem in countries outside the United States?

If you saw President Obama drinking a glass of water from the city of Flint, Michigan, what would it make you think about that water?

jkatzman1 — 2021-03-26 18:37:27 UTC

Look at this photo. If President Obama offered you this water, would you drink it? Explain why THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES offering this water to people might make a strong statement about the QUALITY and SAFETY of this city's water.

Why would there be two fountains so close together?

jkatzman1 — 2021-03-26 18:40:22 UTC

Water is a key element of life. There was a law that said these two water fountains had to exist. Why? What message does this law send in terms of racist ideas? In terms of white supremacy? How/why was water used to support these horrible ideas?

Map of Households in the U.S. Without Running Water

jkatzman1 — 2021-03-26 18:48:34 UTC

What do you notice in this map? What questions do you have?

Map of Poverty In the U.S.

jkatzman1 — 2021-03-26 19:03:37 UTC

Compare this map to the one above.
- What do you notice?
- Are there patterns shared between the two maps?
- What questions do you have?

FROM: https://www.nytimes.com/newsgraphics/2014/01/05/poverty-map/index.html

"Swim-In" Protest Met with Acid Poured Into Pool

jkatzman1 — 2021-03-30 12:37:52 UTC

In June 1964, James Brock dumped acid into the water at the Monson Motor Lodge in St. Augustine, Fla. He was trying to disrupt and stop swimmers who were protesting the hotel's whites-only policy. Why would this have happened? Who did the law support?

(From National Public Radio)

A Beautiful Resistance

jkatzman1 — 2021-03-30 16:19:21 UTC

Inkwell, a historically Black beach on the island of Martha's Vineyard, is a resistance.

Along with the attached article, is a ~10 minute video exploring this topic.

After reading/watching, write 2 paragraphs explaining what you think about Inkwell Beach. ALSO be sure to explain WHY YOU THINK THIS ARTICLE WAS INCLUDED IN OUR WORK!

Who is getting their water fixed after the storms that froze the South?

jkatzman1 — 2021-03-30 18:50:49 UTC

If we learn something we aren't satisfied with, how do we impact that?

Read about the current struggle in Jackson, Mississippi to restore water to people that live there after February's winter storm that damaged a lot of the infrastructure there.

After reading answer these three questions:

Why are people in Jackson, Mississippi still struggling to get water after February's storm?
What do you think are possible solutions to help cities like Jackson provide clean/safe water for the people that live there?
What do you think the best actions for people in Jackson to take would be, to make sure they do not have this problem in the future?

Why did Obama visit Flint? (The shortest version you will ever read!).

jkatzman1 — 2021-04-01 15:01:57 UTC

Obama was visiting Flint two years after the drinking water in Flint had been changed from the Great Lakes to the Flint River. This made a lot of money for friends of then Governor Gary Synder. A LOT of money (Synder is now facing criminal charges). The cost was horrible lead poisoning and illness in the people of Flint, who are mostly people of color and poor. Lead poisoning causes brain damage, especially in children, that can never be fixed. It can cause severe behavioral and learning challenges among many other very difficult things (Google "Lead poisoning" if you want to learn more).

After watching this short video, what would you say was the President's message to the people of Flint? What in the video made you think that was his message? How do you think people in Flint felt about what he said?

The People of Flint were not impressed with Obama's appearance.

jkatzman1 — 2021-04-01 15:36:23 UTC

Michael Moore grew up in Flint, Michigan and voted, twice, for Obama. He is a famous documentary film maker. He was "disappointed" with Obama's visit. Why?

Moore talked to CNN after the President's trip to Flint to discuss Obama's pledge to city-- saying "I've got your back" while drinking a glass of filtered Flint water. It was a message that upset the film maker.

"He is just trying to reassure people that everything's okay," Moore said. "To drink from a glass of Flint water when a number of experts are still saying this water's not safe? It's still going through the same, old lead pipes? It was such a disappointing thing to see . . . he hopes that Flint can get back to where it was. Where was that? You mean before the water crisis two years ago, after we'd lost 75,000 jobs for people making cars for General Motors? Back to then? Or are we talking about back to 20-30 years ago when people here could actually get good-paying jobs? I mean, Flint is a city that's really been destroyed."

Below is a Facebook post Moore wrote one week before Obama visited Flint.

After reading and discussing Moore's post, write about how he argues people are using water as a weapon for racism?

Baltimore Fixes Racial Water Injustice According to Income

jkatzman1 — 2021-04-01 20:02:47 UTC

Access this Google Doc about how Baltimore is working to make sure everyone in the city is able to afford clean, safe water.

Make a copy for yourself (directions are on the Doc).

The final prompts are at the bottom of the Google Doc. Be sure to use your own ideas AND evidence from the article in your answers.

Mos Def

jkatzman1 — 2021-04-01 20:29:30 UTC

From the Yale University's Environment 360, we have a look at how hip hop artists have attempted to address environmental challenges faced by people of color living in cities. After reading, answer these questions:

Why would a hip-hop artist choose WATER as a a subject of a song?
What do these lyrics teach you about the struggle to have clean water in America?

"In his 1999 song “New World Water,” Brooklyn native Yasiin Bey (then known as Mos Def) breaks down the challenges some communities face in getting clean water, especially in the urban environment."

It’s the new world water, and every drop counts
You can laugh and take it as a joke if you wanna
But it don’t rain for four weeks some summers
And it’s about to get real wild in the half
You be buying Evian just to take a f___in’ bath
Heads is acting wild, sippin’ poor, puffin’ dank
Competin’ with the next man for higher playin’ rank
See I ain’t got time try to be Big Hank,
F___ a bank; I need a twenty-year water tank
‘Cause while these knuckleheads is out here sweatin’ they goods
The sun is sitting in the treetops burnin’ the woods
And as the flames from the blaze get higher and higher
They say, ‘Don’t drink the water! We need it for the fire!’

Many Native Americans Can't Get Clean Water, Report Finds

ldavenport2 — 2021-04-02 18:52:54 UTC

When no one was able to answer the question "How many Americans don't have running water or a working toilet where they live," the nonprofit, DigDeep, talked to experts around the country to write a report called Closing the Water Access Gap in the United States.

Listen to this 3-minute piece from National Public Radio to learn about some of the key findings of the report, especially the challenges faced by the Native American community. As the article says:

"58 out of every 1,000 Native American households lack plumbing, compared with 3 out of every 1,000 white households."

After listening to/reading this article, why do you think there are so many more Native Americans without access to clean water than white Americans? Is it environmental? Is it political? Is it racism?

Catherine Coleman Flowers, 2020 McArthur Fellow, brings attention to failing water and waste infrastructure and its role in perpetuating inequities.

ldavenport2 — 2021-04-03 11:55:02 UTC

Why Makaśa Looking Horse is Fighting for the Right to Water against Nestle Corporation

ldavenport2 — 2021-04-03 15:28:29 UTC

23-year-old Makasa Looking Horse takes on Nestle Corporation for removing 4.7 million liters daily from her community's ground water to bottle and sell while her community remains without clean drinking water.

Would you be willing to fight a giant company like Nestle, that makes around $14 BILLION every year? Do you think the company should be helping Makala's community more?

Abel Olivio: Defensores de la Cuenca/Defenders of the Watershed

ldavenport2 — 2021-04-03 16:48:08 UTC

Abel Olivio, cofounder and executive director of Defensores de la Cuenca/Defenders of the Watershed, is working to connect Latino communities in the Cheaspeake Bay, in the Maryland/Virginia area to promote cleanups (picking up trash), family-friendly activities, and a leadership academy to create a new generation of leaders/stewards that will protect and care for their watersheds (an area where all water drains/goes to a common point/place) and champions for the environment among Latinos.

asutherland14 — 2021-04-05 15:08:09 UTC

Write a hashtag (#) to describe the water in this image.

jkatzman1 — 2021-04-05 15:59:33 UTC

Jahnaiza's Response to This

What does it mean that water is used as a weapon of racism? Click + to add your first thoughts below.

jkatzman1 — 2021-04-06 12:19:26 UTC

If someone told you water is used as a weapon of racism, what would you think? What does this even mean? HOW could water be used by racist people as a weapon? WHY would water be used by racist people as a weapon?

Before starting this work, write your FIRST reactions/ideas to these questions below. You can add a video/audio of you speaking your response if you would prefer as well.

Mr. Katzman's Thoughts

jkatzman1 — 2021-04-06 12:27:12 UTC

Water can't be racist. It is water. It actually took me some time, and a few conversations with people, to understand the difference between saying people use water for racist ideas and saying water is racist. It's an important difference though! Why? Because things are not racist by themselves - racism is created/continued by people!

I hope with this work, we will be able to learn about/discuss how these basic needs are made into weapons to keep people oppressed.

Alfry's

2021-04-06 12:36:33 UTC

Water can't be racist because it is not a living thing and it's not something that would think about things. If water were to be racist it would be business itself to people with money because they are making profit for themself where that’s why most of these poor countries don't have clean water because they don't have enough money and water wouldn't make a business with someone that does not have money. Since water is not racist everyone can have water but not the same amount or access as other people. Most of the countries were surrounded by money to get clean water for their country. Other countries they don't have as much money as the rich countries and can not afford the clean water as those other countries. The fact that some countries have more money than others is racist.

Jahnaiza

jkatzman1 — 2021-04-06 14:41:24 UTC

Alex

2021-04-07 12:42:26 UTC

I agreed with Alfry because water can't be racist just the people who control it. it could be used as a weapon because we need water to survive.

What would it cost the richest person in Arizona to provide clean water to EVERYONE in the Navajo Nation?

jkatzman1 — 2021-04-09 13:29:46 UTC

Ernest Garcia II is the richest person in Arizona.

He made his money selling used cars and has a net worth of $15.9 billion.

Click the chart below to see what percent of his net worth would be needed to get clean water to EVERYONE in the Navajo Nation.

After looking at this, do you think Ernest Garcia II should pay the $200,000,000 to get everyone on the Navajo Nation clean water? Explain why or why not.

Daniel

2021-04-12 18:45:36 UTC

I believe water can be used as a weapon for racism because only a few ethnic groups are able to get water due to social standards. Water is a weapon of racism because only those who are liked are able to attain getting water. For example most third world countries struggle to get help getting clean water.
The struggles of water control also happens in the US but its a bit different. In third world countries the water they are able to get has many bacteria such as hepatitis. In the US the pipes that are used to transport water are old and are tainting the water with lead.

carol's

2021-04-13 12:16:39 UTC

water can use a weapon for racism for all people that don't like other they can use the water just for a couple of them.

Sofia Vianna

2021-04-15 03:56:13 UTC

I believe it is possible that water could be used as a weapon of racism. Every human being has human rights and needs, and water Is an essential factor. If a certain race or group of people prevented another race or group of people from accessing water, yes I believe that is a weapon of racism.

Sa'Quora Ashley

2021-04-15 15:10:23 UTC

it can determine the safety and health benefits to surviving. making it unsafe and unclean to use or come in contact with. not having a clean water source is a great way to get some people to move, which is a part of a racial scheme called gentrification. if the main water sources to daily living is impacted. for example, people in flint, michigan

In 2021, Are Georgia Lawmakers Using Water as a Weapon to Stop people from Voting?

jkatzman1 — 2021-04-16 14:47:21 UTC

After Donald Trump lost the presidential election in 2020, he, and many of his supporters, claimed that the election was stolen/rigged, especially in Georgia, which saw a large number of Black voters swing the state for Joe Biden AND elect two Democratic Senators. In response, Georgia has dramatically changed its voting laws, which many people see as a move to disenfranchise (take away the vote) from people of color. Watch this video and read the article attached. Then explain:
- Do you think Georgia's new voting law is a good law or not?
- Will it make elections "safer" and "more secure"?
- Why will elections be better if it is now a crime to give people food and water while they wait in line to vote?

DigDeep is Addressing Freshwater Access in Communities That Need It

ldavenport2 — 2021-04-20 16:27:18 UTC

This non-profit organization is working with a number of communities around the country, including the Navaho Nation and Appalachia, to provide them with access to clean fresh water. They dig deeoly into the ground, install a large water tank, fill that water tank with fresh clean water from a truck, and then install plumbing. Amazing work! Here is their web page for more information about their work: https://www.digdeep.org/

GREENLATINOS

ldavenport2 — 2021-04-23 12:06:07 UTC

This non-profit organization believes that Latino communities have a right to access clean, reliable, and affordable water for drinking, recreation,infrastructure law could be a good model for other cities because it will have a higher percentage of people that are healthy from the water they now have access to.. Water is a human right and unfortunately their communities have access in disproportionate ways. See what they are doing about it!

Larry

2021-04-29 15:33:15 UTC

water might be used as a weapon of racism to control a poor crowd. In our country fresh water is available everywhere no matter what; in third world countries people don't have that complete option to get a cup,shower, etc. so with that being said they're content with being over worked and disrespected; treated inhumanely.

The people's realization. #water (added by Larry 4/29/20)

2021-04-29 15:56:30 UTC

Larry's Summary:
People walk up to this stand easy. they probably have just left the house hopped in a car and pulled up to this plaza's location. they get asked if they want to "buy" water but the only catch is how they "buy" it. in exchange for their empathy they walk as far the back story explained. and get told the risks they don't have.

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER AFTER:
- Which video do you think would do a better job to get people to care about dirty water/actually do something? Why is that one more effective?

U.S. Senate Approves $35 BILLION Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021.

jkatzman1 — 2021-04-30 14:11:26 UTC

The U.S. Government understands the importance of access to clean/safe water for all people. In the U.S. Senate, the $35 Billion Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 was just passed to make sure people around the country, get the clean water they deserve.

The bill (proposed law) includes $200 million over 4 years for Native American Nations. As one senator said, clean water is not an issue that impacts only one political party. It is something that EVERYONE has a right to. Only 2 senators voted against the new law (Republicans Mike Lee of Utah and Ted Cruz of Texas). The bill now has to be approved by the House of Representatives.

If the House approves, the bill will be sent to President Biden. If he signs it (agrees to it) it will become law.

Use THIS LINK to open the Google Doc with the article/work.

Randy

2021-05-12 14:40:32 UTC

There is no doubt in the statement that water is a essential part of our lives and falls under the basic necessities needed in order to survive in this world. If we were to to weaponize water, the question surrounding whether or not there is something morally wrong in society would be asked. There are regulations and acts of safety in effect for things such as food services, amusement parks, human public servants services, and so on. Why stop there? Why do we stop halfway regarding the standards for living? In comparison to entertainment services and food services, the importance of water still reigns above the rest in terms of survivability and it's affect on health. It's obvious that water alone has a vital and significant role in human lives so why is it that there are people out there using contaminated and hazardous water in order to get by? It is clear that if someone was given the option to choose between "polluted water" and "clean water", they would choose the latter. The question regarding the importance of water is no longer needed to be asked but is instead replaced with the next obvious question; why aren't we all drinking clean water? What could we benefit from by monopolizing clean water and turning a blind eye towards the standards and safety for water? Why isn't it in our best interest to ensure that everyone around us as a whole is AT LEAST drinking clean water?

FINAL RESPONSES TO THIS SECTION

jkatzman1 — 2021-05-17 16:57:41 UTC

After reading/responding to at least three examples of the people and organizations above working to improve access to clean water, describe (in writing or voice/film):

What are 3 lessons/ideas that you think people should be aware of that makes their work effective?
What are the three most important things for advocates/activists to do/say to make sure they are successful helping people get clean water)?
Which of these examples is most inspiring to you? Why?

Getting Water in Prison

jkatzman1 — 2021-05-18 17:00:43 UTC

Ms. Dykens reached out to several people who had served time in prison (5 men and 1 woman) to ask them about their experiences. They had served in different facilities around Massachusetts.

After reading their responses, answer these questions:

Does it seem like these people had good water when they were in prison?
What other questions would you want to ask about water in prisons?
Are there any laws in Massachusetts about providing prisoners with clean/safe water? (You will need to Google this and do some independent research!)
Would you make any changes to prisons in terms of how people are able to get water? Explain what you would/would not change and why you would/would not make those changes.

Below are some of their responses to her questions.

How often is water available to you while in prison?
All 6 replied that they got it at meal times, when they would get 1 cup.

All 6 also replied that they had a sink in their cells they could get water from.

What did you think of the water you had?

5 said that the water always had a dirt or metal taste to it. They explained that if they did not have people from the outside giving them money to buy Kool-Aid to disguise the taste it was difficult to drink. Especially if they didn't add things like Kool-Aid, then the water sometimes would make them sick to their stomachs.

If the water wasn't good, what could you do?
1 person said he had a job and would make $1 a day. He would save up a to buy a 6 pack of water. It would take 2 weeks of work to get enough money to buy those 6 bottles of water (consider how much that water must have cost. How much can you buy 6 bottles of water for in your neighborhood?).

1 person said that at times if a certain cell would have better tasting water then they would trade with the person that was assigned to that cell. To get one cup of water, they would often trade a snack or a phone call.

Another person said that the water in showers sometimes tasted better, so he would drink while in the shower. He would just open his mouth and let it pour in.

Water Dippers: Simple Items Speak to History of Inequality.

jkatzman1 — 2021-05-18 17:53:26 UTC

Jim Crow Laws were very recently a way to keep Black people oppressed and support White supremacy in the United States. These two simple scoops, used to get water, are an illustration of the racism behind those laws and ideas.

After reading the information about these two water scoops, answer the following questions:

How does it make you feel that these were used? Explain why.
Why did these scoops reinforce racist ideas? Was it important that they were used to get water?
Why might some people argue/claim that these aren't racist? Or that these aren't a "big deal"?
What do you think it would have been like if a Black person and White person went to get water at the same time? How would these two scoops change that interaction?

Study of Carson Beach Protest

jkatzman1 — 2021-05-24 18:07:38 UTC

Study of Carson Beach Protest

jkatzman1 — 2021-05-24 18:09:56 UTC

Behind the old South Boston High

Study of Carson Beach Protest

jkatzman1 — 2021-05-24 18:10:29 UTC

Grammatical errors celebrating the American Revolution, etch in stone.

Study of Carson Beach Protest

jkatzman1 — 2021-05-24 18:11:35 UTC

Dorchester Heights - site of George Washington's first victory during the American Revolution.

Shereka Rogers

2021-05-31 11:23:54 UTC

I do believe that water is being used as a weapon by racist people around the world. For water to be used as a weapon is to make it inaccessible or unsafe to consume. Racist individuals can used this to their advantage against those they fear.

Shereka Rogers

2021-05-31 11:41:35 UTC

As humans we all need water to survive. If we consume dirty water it causes sickness or even death in extreme cases. Life without clean water exists in other countries like Uganda.

Shereka Rogers

2021-05-31 16:27:25 UTC

Different water supply was accessible to each race group. That makes me wonder if every supply is safe.

Shereka Rogers

2021-05-31 16:32:50 UTC

A lot of the states that are high poverty also have low water supply.

carol's

2021-06-07 15:33:55 UTC

I agree that water can be used for racism

because sometimes in some places where people who have money have more water or the force of the water is better. I also believe that the best benefits are given to people with better income than to people with low resources.

carol's

2021-06-07 15:39:04 UTC

we need water to survive in this world. Water has great value on the planet for both people. animals and plants without water we and the world could experience much more drought. Without clean water we also would have many more diseases. also,

Without clean water, life would be much more serious and with more problems based on the health of the planet

carol's

2021-06-07 15:50:48 UTC

president Barack Obama thinks the water now i good but in the past about 2 years the water looked like chocolatemilk it would be a bad option to accept and drink that water.

History of Carson Beach

jkatzman1 — 2021-06-10 12:05:44 UTC

Read about the history of Carson Beach and debate how/if the city should remember what has happened there.

1. Make a copy of the Google Doc
2. Title the new copy "YOUR NAME, Carson Beach"
3. Share the new doc with jkatzman@bostonpublicschools.org

Reflections on the scars left by using water as a weapon of racism

jkatzman1 — 2021-06-10 12:29:52 UTC

This is a reflective post, written by a teacher, that exams some of the psychological (mental/emotional) scars that are left when racists use something as important/essential as water to make other people feel "less than".

After reading answer these questions in the comments:

1. Why would racists use WATER as a weapon?
2. What impact does using WATER as a weapon of racism have on people, especially young people, that are the target of the hate/violence?

Isaiah Graham

2021-09-14 16:37:45 UTC

how is water used as racism, i dont believe this is possible