The people of Flint Michigan have been exposed to lead in their drinking water for the last year and a half. Experts anticipate that thousands of persons will suffer long term neurological damage as a result of lead poisoning. But scientists, companies, and governments have known for over 100 years that lead causes brain damage and behavioral problems. Most of the people who suffer from lead poisoning are black people. Low academic achievement, poor social skills, high rates of violent crimes in black communities, and mental retardation are all either associated with lead poisoning or correlated with exposure to lead in the environment.