I've noticed that if a white woman disappears it's on all the channels all the time. Not so with black women and women of color. Michael Vick's cruelty to dogs got more coverage than any story about women of color being raped, murdered, tortured or tasered. Like Fanny Lou Hamer, I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.
In September, a young,talented and successful black woman disappeared. There was a lot of local coverage (Chicago) but I didn't see it on any of the cable channels. She wasn't white. She didn't run away from her wedding and most people didn't hear about her. Her name was Nailah Franklin. She was found dead on September 28th. Did you hear about her?
Contrast this to the stories that dominated the news when the person who disappeared was white and female. No comparison. When and if the murderer of this young black woman is tried, I'm betting you won't see legal experts on Dan Abrams making the case for conviction or acquittal.
How many times did you see the story of a black woman who was held, tortured and raped by six white folks in West Virginia? Nancy Grace where is your outrage?
I've thought about this quite a bit and can't help but contrast this against the coverage of the black woman who accused those fraternity boys of raping her. Got wide coverage and no little outrage was generated even before it was known that the DA was seriously pushing his own agenda. Where is the outrage at the six men and women who made this woman eat feces and sexually took turns raping and torturing her all the while saying that this is how they treat niggers? Is the difference that those six white folks are poor and no one expects them to act differently? Does this explain why it is easy for the media to overlook the heinous crime that was committed? Or was it because she is a black woman? Her name is Megan Williams and we should all know her name.
How about the woman who was raped repeatedly by young black thugs ?
The victim returned home from her job delivering phone books about 9 p.m. the night of the attack, according to her statement to police. While fixing her son something to eat, a young male with braids knocked on her door to tell her the tires on her truck were flat. Once outside, she said, she saw a male with a large gun and two others armed with guns. They wore black clothing over their faces, she said, and ordered her back into the apartment, where they demanded money.
After being told there was no money, the attackers tore off the woman's clothes and raped her until five others arrived, according to the documents. The new arrivals took turns having sex with her and then sodomized her. The mother was then ordered into a tub filled with vinegar and water where they used hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, nail polish remover and ammonia on her. At gunpoint, the assailants forced the mother and son to have sex.
This week an 82 year old black woman was tasered in her own home by policeman. Tasered. They forced entry into her home because a social worker called them and told them she would not let her come in and check on her well being. She is Lillian Fletcher. At least now they know how she is doing.
When Don Imus insulted the black women of the Rutgers basketball team, he argued that he was just using the language of black rappers. According to this logic black women are fair game in our society. Nobody cares about them. Why shouldn't he be allowed to say anything he wants to about them or Gwen Ifill for that matter? Business as usual. American as apple pie.
That most of the crimes against black women are committed by black men doesn't change the equation. Most of the crimes committed against white woman are committed by white men. Why the difference in coverage?
Do you know the name of Sofia Rodriguez? How about Second Lieutenant Orlinda Marquez? What of Sailor Yuriria Acuna Pineda whose investigator in the Navy decided that she asked for it? Where is the outrage?
Where was the coverage?
It is time that we raised issues about women of color. While Senator Clinton's people are crying foul that she is being picked on during a presidential debate, women of color are being murdered and tortured and raped. I'd call that piling on. Who is the candidate who speaks to this? That's who will get my vote.