But I can't get this newspaper article out of my head! I don't want this post to take away from the sadness felt from Leiby - I can't, however, ignore the fact that there are so many missing black children and yet we never make the news. There are so many black women beat to death by their men, but we never make the news (unlike Yeardly Love) or women that go completely missing, but don't grab national attention like Laci Peterson. To be honest, I just think there needs to be equality in our media system. So for that reason - I wanted to post this article.
By CYRIL JOSH BARKER Amsterdam News Staff New York Amsterdam News
A missing child almost always gets the sympathy of an entire community, sometimes the entire nation. However, missing children of color can oftentimes be of less concern to media outlets and even sometimes the police.
The chilling case involving 8-year-old Leiby Kletzky became a top story in many of the city's media outlets. Kletzky was last seen walking home from day camp in Brooklyn before he went missing for nearly three days. It was later discovered that he was kidnapped and killed by 35-year-old Levi Aron. Pieces of Kletzky's body were dismembered and found in a freezer and dumpster. Aron is currently awaiting trial.
But while Kletzky's story made many in the city cringe, one question stood in the minds of many in the community: What if Leiby Kletzky had been Black?
According to Derrica and Natalie Wilson, founders of the Washington, D.C.-based Black and Missing Foundation Inc., the coverage might not have been the same.
Derrica and Natalie, who are sisters-in-law, started Black and Missing in 2008 with the goal to bring awareness about missing people of color, who oftentimes don't receive enough coverage in the media. Black and Missing also educates communities of color about personal safety.
Click title of news article to read more or click
here.
 |
| Jahir MartinezDOB: Sep 10, 2002Missing Date: Jan 15, 2010Missing City: SARASOTA, FLLocation Last Seen: Unknown |
 |
| Adji DesirDOB: Oct 15, 2002Missing Date: Jan 10, 2009Missing City: Immokalee, FLLocation Last Seen: Adji was last seen playing outside of his house in Immokalee, FL, on January 10, 2009. There is a 23,000.00 reward leading to the recovery of Adjir.More |
 |
| Tionda Z. BradleyDOB: Jan 20, 1991Missing Date: Jun 06, 2001Missing City: Chicago, ILLocation Last Seen: Unknown |
 |
| Asha Jaquilla DegreeDOB: Aug 05, 1990Missing Date: Feb 14, 2000Missing City: Shelby, NCLocation Last Seen: Asha Jaquilla Degree has been missing from her home in Shelby, North Carolina since February 14, 2000. Asha's father last saw her at approximately 2:30 a.m. while she was asleep in her bedroom. By dawn, her parents were unable to locate her anywhere in the house. |
 |
| Patrick Kennedy Alford Missing Date: Jan 22, 2010 Missing City: Brooklyn Location Last Seen: The 7-year-old was last seen taking out the trash at his foster home. He may be in or near Brooklyn, New York. |
