How the Trump administration made a sewage crisis ‘woke’

The podcast episode explores the sewage crisis in Lowndes County, Alabama, characterized by inadequate sanitation systems affecting a significant portion of its majority Black population. Nina Lakhani, a senior reporter for The Guardian, details the dire living conditions of the residents, including the Perryman couple, who have lived without proper sewage systems for decades. The area, historically linked to the civil rights movement, reflects ongoing social and economic injustices.

Lakhani explains that between 60% to 80% of homes in rural Lowndes County lack functioning sewage systems, leading to serious public health risks. This includes the prevalence of hookworm, a parasite thought to be eradicated in the U.S., which has been found in significant numbers among the local population. The residents' struggles have been historically overlooked by government authorities, which have instead criminalized those who could not afford septic systems.

The episode recounts the advocacy efforts of Catherine Flowers, who has campaigned for sanitation rights in the county. Following a lawsuit involving the federal government, a settlement was achieved to address these issues until the Trump administration abruptly canceled it, citing a reversal on 'woke' policies. This cancellation has left residents without recourse again and highlights how systemic racism continues to affect access to essential services. Lakhani finishes by noting the uncertainty of future funding and the dire state of sanitation inequalities in such a wealthy nation.