By now you’ve heard or read the story of Sonya Massey. The woman killed in her own home by a police officer (we refuse to call him by his name). Body Cam has now been released that shows the officer yelling at Massey to put down a pot of water and then threatens to shoot her. Unarmed and scared for her life, Sony Massey naturally ducked behind her counter and rose and the officer fired not one, not two, but three shots. The last bullet shooting her in the head.
Sony Massey originally called the police because she suspected unusual activity and wanted to make sure she was safe. Now her family mourns her death at the hands of the police officer who couldn’t hold down a steady job in law enforcement and only received a part time Law Enforcement Certification in 2021.
The history of African Americans and the police is complex and is deeply rooted in the broader context of racial dynamics in the United States. From Slave Patrols to Segregation to Rodney King, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and George Floyd it seems nobody with melanated skin is safe.
With this being an election year, it is crucial that various reforms are implemented and used in to help save more African American lives. Body cameras, demilitarizing of police, and changes to use of force polices should be at the forefront of every politicians campaign. De-escalation training and extensive background checks should be enforced.
Can’t we all get along? That’s a question we’ve been trying to answer in the country since post slavery. For now, another Black Woman is dead by the hands of Law Enforcement. Breonna Taylor, Atatiana Jefferson, Sonya Massey and others who we don’t know…WE SPEAK YOUR NAMES.
