There is this false myth going around that Black women are not victims of law enforcement. I believe the myth exists because quite frankly the media, social justice organizations and we the public tend not to focus on it. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy. I hope this post will make all of us change our minds. Here are the stories of some of the Black women and girls killed by law enforcement:
Adaisha Miller, Detroit Woman, Hugged Cop From Behind
7-year- old Aiyana Stanley-Jones - Detroit Free Press
LAPD cop charged with assault in death of Alesia Thomas
Anna Brown: 29-year-old Black Woman Dies in Jail After Being Dragged By Police Out of Hospital
City to Pay $1.6 Million in Fatal, Mistaken Raid (Alberta Spruill)
Aura Rosser: Police Kill Mich. Woman After Responding To Domestic Violence Call
Homeless Woman Found Dead in Suffolk Police Cell (Brenda Gaines)
Scranton police shooting justified - News - Citizens’ Voice (Brenda Williams)
New Brunswick man charged in 20-year-old murder case | NJ.com (Carolyn “Sissy” Adams)
Pregnant inmate died after hours of agony in Syracuse jail (Chuniece Patterson)
17 Year Old Darnesha Harris Dead after Run-In with Breaux
Erica Collins family files lawsuit against Cincy Police
While Everyone Else Is Busy Remembering Daryl Gates’ Life, I’ll Be Remembering Eula Love’s Death (Eula Love)
Pleasant Grove crash claims life of second person | AL.com (Heather Parker)
Family grieves after loved one killed in crash with APD (Jacqueline Culp)
Family of victim question police use of deadly force - KWCH (Karen Day)
Ex-Atlanta officers get prison time for cover-up in deadly raid (Kathryn Johnston)
Kendra James remembered at Portland rally | KOIN.com
Kyam Livingston’s Family Sues NYPD After Death In Holding Cell
Pedestrian Killed on I-95 in Florida (Laporsha Watson)
The Police And Latanya Haggerty - Chicago Tribune
After Cleveland shooting, cities restrict police chases(Malissa Williams)
Cooley’s Office Declines to Charge Officer in Mitchell Shooting (Margaret Mitchell)
Jersey City man to cops: You didn’t have to shoot my wife (Martina Brown)
Mourners remember Phoenix woman killed in police shooting (Michelle Cusseaux)
Miriam Carey, Capitol Suspect, Suffered Post-Partum Depression
The Death of Natasha McKinna in the Fairfax Jail: The rest of the story
RPD Officer Shoots, Kills Woman (Patricia Thompson)
Elderly Woman Shot & Killed By Hearne Police Officer (Pearlie Golden)
Rekia Boyd Settlement: Family Of Unarmed Chicago Woman
Former Pa. trooper pleads guilty in fatal accident (Robin T. Williams)
Shantel Davis Killed By NYPD Cop In Car Chase | News One
Friends: Woman killed by police was nonviolent | Las Vegas (Sharmel Edwards)
Suspected Walmart Shoplifter Shot To Death In Front Of Kids (Shelly Frey)
What Happened to Sheneque Proctor? (Sheneque Proctor)
The NYPD’s Poor Judgment With the Mentally Ill | Village Voice (Shereese Francis)
Harrisburg woman identified as victim in police SUV crash (Shulena S. Weldon)
Where is the Outrage in the Police Killing of Tanesha Anderson? (Tanesha Anderson)
$2.5M settlement in shooting of Lima woman by police officer (Tarika Wilson)
No Charges in Killing of Tyisha Miller - Los Angeles Times
Atlanta police officer accused of killing woman he met on Craigslist (Vernicia Woodard)
Woman Killed Hailing Cab; Officer Held in Accident (Vionique Valnord)
Grand Concourse still ‘big, scary street’ full of risks for pedestrians after recent death (Virginia Verdee)
Texas Police Admit Officer Shot & Killed Unarmed Woman (Yvette Smith)
This post has been updated by BBG and readers
Judge drops involuntary manslaughter in Aiyana shooting (Aiyana Stanley Jones) (UPDATED)
Cleveland Woman’s Death In Police Custody Ruled Homicide (Tanesha Anderson)
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This is sad that the trials and lives of Black women aren’t documented or cared about by the so called Black Community or society at large. We need to start protecting and defending ourselves as Black women in America because no collective of men is protecting us. That way, we can fight against those who want to see us fail.
What myth? Black/New Afrikan activists and organizers I know, have never denied or hid anything regarding the killing and murder of Black/New Afrikan girls and women by police and white vigilantes. They have rallied, organized and lobbied for justice as well.
When? I’ve never seen large marches or events held for these murdered black women. NEVER. Find me pictures and proof and I’ll eat my hat. I’ve never seen support globally for abused or murdered black women do to racism, like I have for black men, no one cares for black women’s lives because we’re seen as an afterthought in society, and in the black community. It’s like when you need those old gym shoes to walk or run errands and then throw them back in the closet, that’s how black women are used. Instead of trying to defend your honor use that energy to be involved in black women’s lives who are victims of brutality.
I feel so bad for those women above, it hurts me many people didn’t know who they were.
re: “never seen support globally”
I’m a foreigner living overseas and while I have long known the names of several black men who have been killed by cops in the USA, I couldn’t have named a single black woman killed by cops in the USA.
I could tell you the names of many black women who’ve lived in the USA (artists, activists, politicians and so forth) so it’s not like I have a mental block or something. I’m able to remember Assata Shakur’s name effortlessly for instance. But I don’t think I had heard about any of the cases highlighted here before today.
There have only been rallies for 2 black men Mike and Eric. Mike because property was destroyed and Eric because his death was caught on camera. I don’t think it’s a sex value at all. Not from the perspective of blacks anyway, I think we’re equally outraged about each case but the fact of the matter is black men are being killed at 3xs the rate of black women. Just as whites need to acknowledge their privilege black women have to acknowledge what little privilege we have. I admit to have used my femininity to get me out of plenty situations (including those with the law) I know that my brothers, fathers, boyfriend, etc do not have that same privilege. I drive my grand father’s new luxury car and police don’t look my way, my brother on the other hand is pulled over every time he is behind the wheel of that vehicle, he literally had to stop driving it because of brutality fears. I think that’s why there is so much focus on black men, because while we are all targeted, they are clearly targeted the most. How often do you see 10-15 black women lined up against park gates for simply communing with friends at the park? This happens to black men everyday, for no reason which is why they are killed more they are seen as the bigger threat to society. Yes all cases need awareness brought to them but if we were made aware of all cases the number of men would out number the number women so greatly that we would still only be focusing on the loss of black men.
Black women have no privilege. I suggest you read about high sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence and physical abuse rates Black women endure. Black women also have the second to lowest income and have the highest rate of murders from a partner or spouse with a gun. Not only do Black women deal with racism, they deal with the same sexism from people like you. ALL BLACK LIVES MATTER HERE! Have a great day and consider caring about Black women and girls too.
“I don’t think it’s a sex value at all. Not from the perspective of blacks anyway”
Kace, you are not the spokesperson for the black race. Thus, you cannot speak to anyone’s perspective except your own. There is definitely a “sex value” with regard to police brutality and who gets the attention, as well as who gets to speak publicly about it. Maybe you’re too young to remember the infamous words of Stokely Carmichael - when asked what was the role of women in the civil rights movement, he answered, “the only position for women in the movement is prone.”(meaning lying flat, face downward). Black women have ALWAYS been discouraged from speaking about our suffering. I would encourage you to read bell hooks, Barbara Smith and Alice Walker, so you can see the reality of black women’s “privilege” from a perspective other than your own. I’ll close by asking you this: Do you think the mothers of the dead women listed on this post feel any less grief than the mothers of Eric Garner or Michael Brown?
Wowwwww what did I say that offended you so much? Have you read the effects of feminism on unity in black community especially in the 60s? Never did I say that their lives didn’t matter, I actually pointed to the fact that only 2 cases of the hundreds have received national attention and gained national uprisings and they would not have if there was no property damage and if the Eric Garner video had not gone viral. My point was not that black women are not victims of sexual abuse (because that has nothing to do with the discussion at all) my point was that when it comes to police brutality WE are not are the forefront of this issue, in fact, all of these cases are spread out over decades over 100 black men are killed annually by law enforcement. How would you feel if black men wanted equal coverage for sexual abuse because SO MANY little black boys are being sexually abused as children and are not receiving justice because of the stigma that comes from being raped as a male but still the number of female cases tripled the number of male cases? I’m sorry but I don’t see how this is different from whites saying that police murders of whites is just as big of and issue of police murdering blacks when we all know that is not the case. Feminists are so focused on equality that they forget that all situations are not equal especially when it comes to this topic. Black panther women knew this. Plus the last time I checked the slogan read Black Lives Matter which is not exclusive to either sex. The only reason we’ve been hearing about black males being killed by police is because in the last 5 months there have 5 blacks killed by police and they were all males and we wouldn’t have heard about the other 3 without Mike or Eric if police kill a black woman tonight trust you will hear about it the media is loving the entertainment.
No one is offended. There were more than two rallies happened this year. There was one for Tamir Rice, John Crawford III and Akai Gurley. Feminism? What is wrong with equal pay, ending domestic violence and sexual abuse? You didn’t get my point about sexual abuse and violence against African American women because you don’t understand intersectionality but you wouldn’t because it is that evil thing called feminism. Please don’t talk about the women in the Black Panthers. The Black Panthers were known colorists and misogynists who were also led by an admitted rapist of Black women and girls.
You see, unlike you, when I say all Black lives matter and I mean it. You don’t. You’ve made it quite clear that only African American men matter. For that, I applaud your honesty. Many don’t. They just pretend like the women murdered didn’t exist, tell me Black lives matter includes Black women when we know it doesn’t or blame the victims by relying on sexist and racist stereotypes i.e. misogynior. To your point did you know in November three Black women were killed by the police? Three in one month. While people were rightly protesting the horrific murder of Tamir, only two weeks before three African American women were killed. If we did things your way and focused on the majority, Black men and boys wouldn’t receive any attention for their issues because they are not the majority. They are the minority of the African American population but unlike what you are doing to African American women, African American women aren’t ignoring them.
One more thing, the relatives of the victims read and shared this post and for their health please don’t comment here any more. I don’t want them to see someone like you minimize their loved ones deaths. There are plenty of antiBlack woman misogynistic websites that share your views and want to ignore African American women. BBG isn’t one of them. Have a great day and thank you for commenting.
Carolyn “Sissy Adams” Adams killed in New Brunswick Nj, 1996.
Added. Thank you!!
Eula Love, 1979
Margaret Mitchell, 1999
Eula Love, Los Angeles 1979
Margaret Mitchell, Los Angeles 1999
Added. Thank you!!
Thank you for this article!
Have we had enough? My tribute and protest is non-violent! I’m not going to do any Black Friday Shopping! I must let corporations know how much African American lives are worth by withholding money. As of this moment, I am beginning to rethink my association with “holidays” that malign African Americans value as human beings. I am Not buying into the myths that only diminish my savings accounts to dress up children, grandchildren and a tree to assimilate and align myself with a “culture” that does NOT respect or care about me, my children or Michael Brown’s (and other) family! The impact of dollars not spent is what his life is worth!!! That is a value that will be easily seen and understood. This will have an impact and will not leave neighborhoods torn or burned by the scourge. Rethink violence… Has it gotten us anywhere? “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you always got…”
See to it that there is value in the lives of African Americans! Please join in this non-violent protest and encourage others. I ask that, between now and Martin Luther King Holiday 2015, we decrease your discretionary spending and shop only at Black businesses.
I agree. Stop shopping.
I support a spending boycott between now and Jan 16th to support Black-Owned Businesses. If I must buy it will be from a BOB. thank you for disseminating this info and getting others involved as well in this national effort !~!
thank you for posting these pictures and information. i think a lot of media focuses on black men and boys being killed i guess because most black men and boys are usually the targets of police shootings and brutality. i’m not sure but i have seen, experienced and heard of black women being assaulted and even killed by the police, police officials, even security guards.
we really have to be careful as black people. it’s like it’s an all out target practice going on between the police to see who can kill the most black people; it’s crazy. and just like someone mentioned on the forum; why has this not made public or why aren’t people talking about it.
Instead of allowing white people to hijack the # BlackLivesMatter Twitter feed, we should have changed it to #AllBlackLivesMatter and highlighted these women. In fact, it’s not too late. Who’s up for it? I will start it.
Thanks for the reminder. Some of the black women killed by police are also victims of their partners/family members. This is true for most women killed by men, period. Whenever there is a shooting, the police and press “reassure” the public by identifying these cases as “domestic.” As if that is a reassurance. Black women are also subject to strip searches for no reason (and as minor things become crimes that require arrest). There are many more names to add if one searches.
As I’m brand new to this site, I’m pretty sure that the story of Daniel Ken Holtzclaw has already been posted. He’s the policeman in Oklahoma arrested for sexually assaulting 7 Black women.
I read about another earlier today - Tanesha Anderson. http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2014/11/cleveland_woman_dies_after_police_encounter.html
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=904616792883384
I agree with all who posted comments regarding all these victims, but I wonder if the law enforcement are the only ones to point the finger at ? I think that the media plays a big part in all of this MADNESS.Black people are portrayed a certain way on TV and through music and some try and mimic these characters even though a good portion of what everybody is rapping about is fabricated yet many try and mimic what they hear and see ,not realizing the consequences that come along with it. Let’s all take a step back and look at the role we all play in this . Honor those who lost there lives with peace not chaos. Prove everyone wrong . Work towards changing the way you are viewed come together as people love each other .Everyone stay safe be kind to one another
We must all come together to lift one another up. Growing up in a Western society, the vast majority of women were taught to compete with each other in unhealthy ways. However, we are evolving…creating ways to support one another, rather than tear each other down. This platform bougieblackgirl is a fine example of this evolution. Let’s keep it up, tell our truth and speak to truth to our community as you have done here. We must look in the mirror to identify the role we play against ourselves and correct those ways. We must value our lives more. As a mother of Black sons and grandsons and granddaughters I will do all that I can to secure a better future for them and their peers. If you have a moment, I’d love to share what we’re doing toward that goal, visit… http://www.savehersavehim.com
Thank God and thank you for this information. I live in Colorado Springs where cases of brutality against Black women NEVER makes the news. I am also boycotting “black Friday” (I do anyway). I realize that many of us work in businesses that could feel the pinch (and thus we’d be the first to go) should a boycott actually take place on a meaningful scale, but change does not come without pain. Enough is enough and the only way to send a message America will take seriously is to do so economically.
Denise Gay, Crown Heights, 2010.
http://gothamist.com/2011/09/08/nypd_its_possible_a_police_bullet_k.php
Added. Thank you!!!
This problem disproportionately impacts men of color. I’ve seen so many women crying “me too” in the oppression Olympics. The reality is Black men have a completely different history and relationship with police brutality than Black women. Black women have their crosses to bear, but this issue is about Black men and their continued victimization. No disrespect to the mothers of the men and boys routinely targeted and killed by police, but do not steer the issue away from our fallen Brothers in this time of crisis.
Jules, you seem to be bothered that black women exercise their right and freedom to express a different point of view than you may have. Your statement suggests that it is wrong for black women to want inclusion in the topic of police brutality. Why? Do you feel threatened by that? Do you feel that the current spotlight on men of color will somehow be diminished if black women speak their piece? This problem DOES impact everyone equally, perhaps not for the same reasons, but everyone’s pain is a reality to them. On a side note: I find it curious that you referred to this problem as “the oppression Olympics”, which suggests that you view it as a game or a sport. And thus you’ve trivialized the very issue you feel black women have usurped. smh.
I was going to say the same thing. Jules just proved why this list exists.
The Stolen Lives Project documents cases of those killed by law enforcement. Here are some more Black women and girls killed by police in New York and New Jersey:
New York:
Brenda Gaines http://archive.longislandpress.com/2010/08/09/homeless-woman-found-dead-in-suffolk-police-cell/
Kyam Livingston http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/22/kyam-livingston-family-sues_n_4144836.html
Chuniece Patterson http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/pregnant_inmate_died_after_hou.html
Alberta Spruill http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/29/nyregion/city-to-pay-1.6-million-in-fatal-mistaken-raid.html
Patricia Thompson http://rochester.twcnews.com/content/news/335474/rpd-officer-shoots-kills-woman/
Vionique Valnord
Virginia Verdee http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx/grand-concourse-big-scary-street-full-risks-pedestrians-death-article-1.139577
New Jersey:
Martina Brown http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2009/07/jersey_city_man_to_cops_you_di.html
THANK YOU!!
I will be adding their names to the list.
[…] women and girls in this protest movement for Black lives. In August 2014, the website released an article with the names and faces of these women and girls who were murdered by the police, ignored by the […]
[…] men aren’t the only ones being killed by the cops. Black girls and women also being targeted, including black trans women, including Alyana Jones, Tarika Wilson, Nizah […]
[…] men aren’t the only ones being killed by the cops. Black girls and women also being targeted, including black trans women, including Alyana Jones, Tarika Wilson, Nizah […]
[…] men aren’t the only ones being killed by the cops. Black girls and women also being targeted, including black trans women, including Alyana Jones, Tarika Wilson, Nizah […]
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