The Ginsberg Center supports the people of Flint, and is committed to working with students, faculty, and others who wish to help Flint residents address the issues that have arisen from the water crisis, now and into the future.
We see this crisis in the context of decades of injustice and as a tragic manifestation of social and economic policies that are both neglectful and discriminatory. We are heartened at the mobilization to meet the immediate needs of the residents of Flint. We resolve to work alongside those who seek to find and implement long term solutions to this water crisis, to the lack of opportunity present for many citizens of Flint and throughout our state, and to the social, environmental and economic injustices that continue to plague too many in our society.
Here are questions that we are asking ourselves, our students, and our partners, as we grapple with this tragedy:
- What role have social identities - and in particular race - of those in Flint played in this crisis?
- What role has the political disenfranchisement of Flint and the removal of local power played?
- What roles have job losses and the resulting economic marginalization of the people of Flint played in this crisis, and in moving beyond it?
- How can we convert the energy that grows out of anger at the crisis at hand to help mobilize students to effectively and justly apply their skills and passions now?
- How can we support students to understand and critically reflect on this crisis in context, to inspire long term commitment to active and informed leadership in our communities?
The Ginsberg Center offers the following checklist for thoughtful community engagement, for students and others that want to get involved.
The Ginsberg Center's Community Engagement Checklist: Check Yourself! Before You Engage: (1) Learn more about the community and the issue with acritical eye towards history and context. (2) Research existing efforts to address the issue in this community, and consider the community voice and sustainability of existing efforts. (3) Assess ways you can contribute to those existing efforts (time, talent, treasure). During the Experience (1) Engage with respect, compassion and humility. After the Experience, (1) Reflect and ask yourself, What did I learn? How did the experience challenge what I thought I knew? What do I need to learn more about? (2) Consider how you will continue to engage as an active citizen.
Additionally, here are three resources that we have found helpful in our own efforts to educate ourselves and to plug into existing efforts with community leadership and input. Should you have additional questions, ideas, or needs from Ginsberg, please contact us at [email protected].
https://sph.umich.edu/flint-