Jordan's Book Tour Update!
On day one of the book release, "We The Poisoned: Exposing the Flint Water Crisis Cover Up" is off to a good start and receiving pretty good media coverage!
Hey folks, it’s Jordan.
Currently in the passenger seat headed as Jon drives us to Detroit for an interview with one of my favorite rabble-rousing journalists in America—the great Pulitzer Prize-winner Charlie LeDuff. Then it’s off to Cleveland for a book event tonight where I’m honored to say Nina Turner will be interviewing me at Loganberry Books at 6:30 p.m. eastern.
Thus far, I’m happy to say I’ve been interviewed about the book and/or had media coverage from:
Breaking Points w/ Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti
Roland Martin Unfiltered (begins at 34:49)
810 Media in Flint
NBC 25 Flint
Detroit Metro Times (great write up and interview with me)
Jacobin (released an excerpt from the book)
I’ve been told by other independent media hosts they will either be doing videos on the book and/or having me on their shows for the book in the coming days and weeks—so I hope to have announcements on more interviews and coverage soon.
Last night, we had a great first book event at Comma Bookstore in Flint with over 30 residents in attendance (not bad considering it was primary Election Day in Flint and a lot of folks told me they wanted to come but were either voting or volunteering at polling sites). Independent journalist Kayla Ruble interviewed me about the book and its many bombshells; we then took questions from the audience. You can watch the livestream HERE. And below are photos from the event!
We will have more photos from the book event and this reporting trip later in the week.
The event was great and the bookstore sold just about every copy of the book they had! Most importantly, after the event, I got to speak with residents and sign their books. During this, I was really grateful to hear how appreciative they were for Status Coup and my continued reporting. Several residents said WE are the only news outlet in America that hasn’t abandoned them and has continued to DIG and INVESTIGATE on the ONGOING crisis—rather than abandoning them and pretending the crisis is over and everything is fine. As you know, this ONGOING ON-THE-GROUND reporting takes a lot of resources. If you are not yet a paying Status Coup member, SIGN UP TODAY for as low as $5 bucks a month.
During conversations with some residents, I learned more alarming information: cancers and deaths related to the city’s toxic water are getting worse. Along with that, youth violence is surging at an even younger age due to lead-poisoned kids not being able to control their impulses and volatile mood swings (both a result of lead poisoning). In one case, I was told about a 13-year-old who shot and killed someone.
THIS is why I report that this is STILL a crisis. These poisoned people do not have universal healthcare—including free mental and behavioral healthcare. They STILL have not received a dime from the $600 million financial settlement (and the federal EPA has still not settled with Flint a decade later). The city’s infrastructure and pipes have STILL not been replaced. And they are still receiving contaminated water.
How is that not an ONGOING disaster?
I’ll have more updates for you later today (and we’ll be in East Palestine Ohio tomorrow following up on their ONGOING disaster).
Thanks for your support,
Jordan