XXTentacion‘s mother Cleopatra Bernard has partnered with Polo G‘s mother Stacia Mac to support the residents of Jackson, Mississippi through the XXXTentacion Foundation.
According to REVOLT, the non-profit made a significant donation of bottled water to the city of Jackson, which has been plagued by a water crisis for the past seven months, impacting over 150,000 residents who remain under a boil water advisory.
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In addition to appearing on site in Jackson to ensure the donation made it directly into the hands of local residents, Bernard and Mac partnered with disaster relief organization Project Help to offer medical attention to some of the most vulnerable in the community: young children and the elderly.
“When my son conceived this foundation, his dream was to help those in need, especially young children, troubled youth and people who are ignored by society,” said Cleopatra Bernard. “Stacia brought the Jackson issue to my attention, and after learning more about the resident’s [sic] plight, I realized it was in direct alignment with what Jahseh (XXXTentacion) wanted to accomplish.”
The situation in Jackson gained national attention in August after heavy rains resulted in massive flooding that left residents unable to shower, flush toilets or access drinking water at home. The crisis has been particularly difficult for lower-income residents, who have had to add the cost of bottled water — which remains at a premium locally — to their regular budget.
In September, CNN reported that Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves officially called an end to the initial 40-day ordeal, declaring that the Mississppi State Department of Health had tested over 120 samples for two consecutive days and determined that clean water was once again available in Jackson. However, in a press release thanking the XXXtentacion Foundation for the donation, the city’s mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba stated that was far from the case.
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“There is still much work left to do as it pertains to upgrading and modernizing Jackson’s water infrastructure,” Lumumba said. “I thank Dr. Tom Ellison and Project Help for enlisting the aid of the XXXTentacion Foundation and Ms. Cleopatra Bernard. The truckloads of water provided by the foundation [are] essential for our children and elderly.
He continued: “We are deeply moved by their actions… the doctors, volunteers, countless hours, exceptional expertise and time spent away from home to ensure that all Jackson residents have access to clean, reliable and safe drinking water.”
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With the Jackson water crisis now largely out of the national spotlight, Stacia Mac felt it was imperative to step up and take action on behalf of the people who are still suffering through these dire conditions.
“We just can’t wait and depend on anyone else to help our communities, especially when they are obviously being overlooked,” she said. “Based on Jackson’s history, this crisis is a result of systemic racism and economic inequality. So we have to step in and assist our people before things gradually get worse.”
At the height of the crisis, Trae The Truth issued a similar call to action, encouraging all those who could to support the residents of Jackson.
“We only been seeing the water situation for past Weeks, Truth is They Been Dealing With This 20 years Plus…,” he wrote in an Instagram caption on September 12. “Anyone Who want to help or want to try to assist, they can honestly Use All The Support… Luv.”
Ahead of his request, the Houston-native delivered 100 water filters, groceries and supplies to support up to 50 families during a trip to Jackson. Following his visit, he used his Instagram page to amplify the voices of some of the city’s 150,000 residents with video footage of some of their testimony.
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Mississippi natives Rae Sremmurd also delivered some relief to the people of Jackson at the end of the summer with the support of their fans. In September, rapper Swae Lee revealed the group had collected more than two trucks-loads of bottled water, to be delivered to families in need in the state’s capital, Jackson.
He proceeded to thank all those who had contributed to the drive, sharing a photo of him and brother Slim Jxmmi on social media in front of the donations.
