Hannah Drake experienced emotional whiplash upon seeing the video of the Illinois police officer killing Sonya Massey. Massey, a Black mother of two, was shot in her own kitchen by a sheriff’s deputy after calling 911 to report a possible intruder. The incident highlights the challenges faced by Black women in America. The release of the video coincided with the Democratic Party rallying around Kamala Harris as a potential presidential candidate, creating mixed feelings among Black women who have felt marginalized by the party.
Activists like Drake and Timothy Findley Jr. are frustrated by the lack of progress in police reform since the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. DeRay McKesson, leader of Campaign Zero, believes there has been some improvement in policies to reduce police violence, but more change is needed. Lonita Baker emphasizes the importance of cultural change within law enforcement organizations to complement policy reform. Efforts to decrease police brutality should focus on local practices and federal legislation, such as the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Trahern Crews calls on Democrats to prioritize racial justice in their policies leading up to the 2024 general election. Massey’s death serves as a call to action for continued activism and advocacy for systemic change.
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Activists of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd are reawakened to sorrow by Sonya Massey’s death
