“The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.”

Malcolm X

It’s nearing the end of Women’s History Month. I usually spend the month celebrating BIPoc women throughout history. This year, however, I believe it’s important to also remember and honor some of the amazing Black women who made an impact before being tragically taken from this world. 

11 days ago marked the one year anniversary since police murdered Breonna Taylor in her own home. Breonna worked for University of Louisville Health as a full-time ER technician and was a former EMT.

Just five months prior, another young, innocent Black woman was shot to death by police in her own home late at night. The killer discharged his weapon through her bedroom window when she came up to see who was lurking outside of her home. Atatiana’s (Tay) 8-year-old nephew was with her and witnessed her murder. Tay was a pre-medical graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana.

The disgusting irony is that police were there based on a “welfare call” from a neighbor. For unarmed Black and IPoc people in America, however, the police provide anything but “welfare”. Most often it’s a death sentence, stop and frisk, intimidation, and/or assault. Officer Aaron Dean was then allowed to resign before being fired but was indicted by a grand jury on a murder charge on December 20, 2019 with a tentative trial date set for August 2021.

We’ll see what happens over the next few months, but cops who kill innocent/unarmed Black people aren’t sentenced. But if you’re a Somali American officer like Mohamed Noor, who killed a white woman, you’ll be sentenced to 12.5 years in prison.

Follow @atatiana_project on Instagram for more updates, news on the fight for justice, and how to prepare the community for the future.