Water is all around and inside us. The earth and our bodies are composed mostly of water, yet there is a lack of clean drinking water, especially for Black people.
Research shows that nearly half of Black people in the U.S. are dehydrated, and it’s not because we don’t want to drink water. It’s more so because we can’t.
Geographic disparities have played a huge role in access to proper drinking water for decades. These disparities date back to segregation, when Black people were not allowed to drink from water fountains in white neighborhoods and were left with poorer quality fountains. It also includes more recent water crises like those in Flint, Michigian and Jackson, Mississippi.
Dehydration is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It can lead to a decrease in cognitive function, mood, and overall health if not treated properly. So it’s time to take matters into our own hands.
While we may not be able to change the water in our local communities overnight, we can take small steps to help purify our own tap water through filters and bottled water. Water is a basic human right.