The health impact caused by the water supply impacted the African American population the most. The population of Flint is 54% African American and 39% white, with a poverty rate of 38%. Although the city's actions during the crisis were not inherently racist, the city's poor infrastructure and piping were due to centuries of racism and segregation.
The Michigan Civil Rights Committees later said, "We are not suggesting that those making decisions related to this crisis were racists ... (but the) disparate response is the result of systemic racism that was built into the foundation and growth of Flint, its industry, and suburban area”. Additionally, a larger percentage of locals spoke only Spanish, and the local government did not broadcast the health warnings in any other language but English.
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