Black women are not only misrepresented in media, but underrepresented. This becomes a huge issue especially when talking about police brutality. Often we think of young black men being the victims of police brutality, and they often are. However, black women are also often the victims of violence physical and sexually which perpetuated by the police. This has led to the movement #SayHerName. It was created to bring greater attention to the black women who are also victimized by the police, such as Sandra Bland, Rekia Boyd, and Aiyana Jones. Underrepresentation in the media for black women prevents these women from receiving the justice they deserve. This weekend Chicago citizens were able to effectively shut down Michigan Avenue on Black Friday to bring attention to the death of Laquan McDonald. But several months ago the march for the deceased Chicagoan, Rekia Boyd, drew fewer than 100 people. This tells us quite clearly of the value of the lives of black women in America.
Rekia Boyd
22 years old
Chicago, IL
Officer claimed he thought a cellphone was fun and shot at her and her friend.
Found not guilty
22 years old
Chicago, IL
Officer claimed he thought a cellphone was fun and shot at her and her friend.
Found not guilty
Sandra Bland
28 years old
Waller County, Texas
Pulled over for failing to signal during a lane change. Officer arrests her without a charge because she would not leave her car and threatens her with a taser. Bland hung herself while in jail according to the police officers.
28 years old
Waller County, Texas
Pulled over for failing to signal during a lane change. Officer arrests her without a charge because she would not leave her car and threatens her with a taser. Bland hung herself while in jail according to the police officers.
Aiyana Jones
7 years old
Detroit, Michigan
Was shot during a police raid off her house.
7 years old
Detroit, Michigan
Was shot during a police raid off her house.
Kayla Moore
Berkeley, CA
Moore was a transwoman who had schizophrenia and the police were called to her home to deal with a mental illness related disturbance. The police left and came back, neighbors heard Moore screaming and then she was dead.
Berkeley, CA
Moore was a transwoman who had schizophrenia and the police were called to her home to deal with a mental illness related disturbance. The police left and came back, neighbors heard Moore screaming and then she was dead.
Shelly Frey
27 years old
Shot by an off duty cop for suspected shoplifting.
27 years old
Shot by an off duty cop for suspected shoplifting.
Tanisha Anderson
37 years old
Cleveland, OH
The police were called to Anderson's home to help "a disoriented and anxious" Anderson. They slammed her on the ground and handcuffed her and she died.
37 years old
Cleveland, OH
The police were called to Anderson's home to help "a disoriented and anxious" Anderson. They slammed her on the ground and handcuffed her and she died.
Miriam Carey
34 years old
Washington, DC
Attempted to drive through White House security checkpoint and was chased to Capitol Hill. She was shot 5 times but her daughter in the backseat was unharmed.
34 years old
Washington, DC
Attempted to drive through White House security checkpoint and was chased to Capitol Hill. She was shot 5 times but her daughter in the backseat was unharmed.
Michelle Cusseaux
50 years old
Phoenix, AZ
Police were called to take her to a mental health facility and she was shot.
50 years old
Phoenix, AZ
Police were called to take her to a mental health facility and she was shot.