The Flint Water Crisis was exposed in 2014 when a change in the water source for Flint, Michigan, led to severe lead contamination in the public drinking supply. This public health disaster highlighted systemic issues of governance, environmental justice, and the neglect of marginalized communities. The crisis sparked widespread outrage and called for accountability, ultimately leading to significant discussions about infrastructure, public health policy, and community rights.

The Flint Water Crisis ignited a surge of eco-justice poetry, with contemporary poets using their work to highlight systemic issues of race and poverty. This crisis became a catalyst for artistic expressions that sought to confront environmental injustices and advocate for marginalized communities.