The Flint, Michigan water crisis, which began in 2014, exposed severe lead contamination in the city's drinking water supply. This public health crisis highlighted systemic failures in governance and infrastructure, galvanizing environmental justice movements across the United States. The crisis underscored the importance of safe drinking water and the need for accountability in public health advocacy.

The lead in water crisis of 2014 inspired poetry that addressed environmental justice and systemic neglect. Poets like Claudia Rankine highlighted community resilience and the urgent need for accountability in works such as 'Citizen,' using their verses to advocate for social change and raise awareness of public health issues.