By Monique
I’ve covered police brutality on this site before, but usually, it’s in the form of black men being victims of the police. This time, I’m focusing on black women who have been victims of police brutality.
#SayHerName is a hashtag and movement that has taken over San Francisco and the rest of America (if not the world). The movement aims to shed light on the large number of black girls and women who have been killed at the hands of police. The movement was created due to the fact that even though black women are often targets of police brutality just like black men, the men usually get more coverage than women.
Some would say this reflects a larger problem between black women and black men and black women and society; there’s a series of micro-aggressions black have to face on a daily basis, such as being told by some black men (and society at large) that they are too loud, always angry, that their hair is too nappy, that certain shades of lipstick isn’t for them, that white women make better wives, etc.
This small list isn’t even including how exoticized black bodies are in society, with women wanting black body parts, such as big butts, full lips, and curly hair, yet denying the women who exhibit the beauty they attempt to portray (my full feelings on big butts can be exemplified in this article). Or, they’re exoticized with men expecting only sexual gratification from black women, seeing them as only sexual objects and not “wife material.”
The Twitter component of #SayHerName highlights many of the victims, including pictures of them in happier times, which serves to humanize them and hopefully, make people not aware of these issues see these victims as human beings whose lives were cut short through horrific circumstances.
Rekia Boyd, London Chanel,Yuvette Henderson, Shantel Frey, Natasha, Mya Hall, McKenna, Kayla Moore, Miriam Carey, Megan Hockaday #SayHerName
— BlackOUT Collective (@blackoutcollect) May 21, 2015
We must keep Black women, girls & Trans people at the forefront of fighting for Black liberation #SayHerName @BYP_100 pic.twitter.com/2ku17L4Ow4
— ColorOfChange.org (@ColorOfChange) May 21, 2015
#SayHerName: Aiyana Jones, Sheneque Proctor, Tanisha Anderson. http://t.co/p8WEhRdgAX pic.twitter.com/Mcgza6p8zd
— ShordeeDooWhop (@Nettaaaaaaaa) May 21, 2015
#SayHerName: Aiyana Stanley-Jones. Killed by DPD during a no-knock raid while filming an episode of The First 48. pic.twitter.com/qo8SYwBdtk
— Jenifer Daniels, APR (@jentrification) May 21, 2015
#SayHerName Is A Part of a Larger Call to Stop Police Violence Against Black Women http://t.co/dZ34eFKMum pic.twitter.com/BINCg6DPqQ
— Colorlines.com (@Colorlines) May 21, 2015
I am amazed and proud of the organizers behind #SayHerName. What a powerful and important campaign. pic.twitter.com/OskjzjWUFD
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) May 21, 2015
My piece on #LatandraEllington :: Murdered by guards in a Florida Prison. http://t.co/c7AkXbZpdX #SayHerName pic.twitter.com/hcpDvwIfa7
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) May 21, 2015
#RekiaBoyd was shot and killed by police for attending a “raucous gathering.” White privilege is not having that happen to you. #SayHerName
— JRehling (@JRehling) May 21, 2015
#SayHerName would have never been necessary if we decided to value Black girls and women’s lives as we do everyone else’s.
— Bougie Black Girl (@BougieBlackGurl) May 21, 2015
#SayHerName is a necessary alter call that we’re here too, and we matter….
— rell (@Awkward_Duck) May 21, 2015
#SayHerName Michelle Cusseaux killed by Phoenix Police on 13 August 2014 pic.twitter.com/2z5QFk2j32
— gNg (@the_blkrealist) May 21, 2015
#SayHerName Miriam Carey killed by Federal agents on 3 October 2013 while with her 1-year old baby pic.twitter.com/shIEwGFlsT
— gNg (@the_blkrealist) May 21, 2015
LA cop charged w/ assault for repeatedly kicking #AlesiaThomas in groin, abdomen+ http://t.co/NAWjzFp8XA #SayHerName pic.twitter.com/NypDoKNFtH
— natalie solidarity (@constantnatalie) May 21, 2015
#AlexiaChristian I #SayHerName killed just 2 weeks ago after police failed to search & secure her correctly. pic.twitter.com/Uy34xA5sqs
— VeryWhiteGuy (@VeryWhiteGuy) May 21, 2015
Families Seek Justice in Overlooked Police Killings of Black Women. Powerful campaign: http://t.co/biQvnoIqma #SayHerName #BlackWomenMatter
— Nasiha Rose (@MsLuxeSociety) May 21, 2015
This #SayHerName movement brings feelings of empowerment, body positivity, pride, respect, love, etc. These sisters are truly amazing.
— Jam (@_jamieria) May 21, 2015
If everyone actually practiced #AllLivesMatter their would be no need for #BlackLivesMatter or #SayHerName! Why cant people understand that?
— IAmSofaKingPhilly (@PEagles14) May 21, 2015
This is powerful stuff! I really had no idea… #SayHerName
— Kim Haman, Writer (@KimHamanWriter) May 21, 2015
Black men couldn’t protect Black women during slavery. Black men can & have a duty to fight for Black women now. #SayHerName
— Queen Brittany Dae (@BrittanyDae) May 21, 2015
This white feminist refuses to reproduce centuries-old narratives that erase black women’s work, voices, bodies, humanity. #SayHerName
— m . g n s t r (@extravaganster) May 21, 2015
The physical portion of the movement can be seen in female protesters, many topless, showing that black women aren’t meant to be commodities to be thrown aside when they aren’t deemed useful anymore. The protesters are making the point that our bodies and our lives deserve more respect and should be given the same humanity others lives are.
Funeral procession from the African Burial Ground to City Hall, calling our names as we go #SayHerName #wereadynyc pic.twitter.com/ofYrFnn6vP
— BYP100 (@BYP_100) May 21, 2015
Now you see us, don’t you? #SayHerName #BlackWomenMatter #JusticeForRekia #BlackSpring pic.twitter.com/8n8NJoFlnE
— Dave Id (@DaveId) May 21, 2015
@blackoutcollect Photos from your powerful action this morning. Much support. #SayHerName pic.twitter.com/VFQjOhVZ3X
— Gretchen Atwood (@gretchenatwood) May 21, 2015
The baring of breasts is historically an act of mourning, grief or protest. #SayHerName encapsulates this perfectly. pic.twitter.com/4oUecohqhv
— Sister Jude Martin (@WellyTopping) May 21, 2015
Sisterhood in action. Liberation. Power. Strength. Black Women. #SayHerName pic.twitter.com/27KK8fJTh7
— BrownBlaze (@brownblaze) May 21, 2015
#JusticeForYuvetteHenderson killed by Emeryville (Oakland area) PD. #SayHerName pic.twitter.com/cJoqxhm989
— BrownBlaze (@brownblaze) May 21, 2015
This looks like what Yoruba women of old did/do when injustice became/becomes unbearable. #SayHerName pic.twitter.com/UWfZ4x7FZB
— Maja Omowonuola (@OmowonuolaMaja) May 21, 2015
My sis @emanithegoddess is amazing. #SayHerName pic.twitter.com/dBBRTHohRU
— BrownBlaze (@brownblaze) May 21, 2015
#SayHerName #KyamLivingston rally forming in BK pic.twitter.com/MaMDcHfqRF
— #BlackLivesMatter (@SKiNNYiLL) May 21, 2015
Images from the amazing #SayHerName protest held in San Francisco by @blackoutcollect. #AiyanaJones #MyaHall pic.twitter.com/dPrMMjaqxO
— Dev (@HalfAtlanta) May 21, 2015
Photoset: activistnyc: #SayHerName: A Vigil in Remembrance of Black Women and Girls Killed by the Police…. http://t.co/e8vU38kHUK
— Jessica Caldas (@zinkaproject) May 21, 2015
The nudity is to say we value their body not their life. They aren’t hoes and bitches sir. They’re humans. #SayHerName @PEagles14
— #ChooseHBCU (@iamyaokhari) May 21, 2015
The Patriarchy: where they’d rather see you dead than nude without permission. #SayHerName
— Brienne of Snarth (@femme_esq) May 21, 2015
Today is also a notice to misogynists in the movement. You will not erase us. #SayHerName #BlackWomenMatter #JusticeForRekia
— Charlene Carruthers (@CharleneCac) May 21, 2015
I feel touched by this movement, and I hope everyone who views it takes something positive away from it. What do you think about #SayHerName? Give your opinions below the post!
EDIT: Here’s the African American Policy Forum’s report on police brutality against black women. There’s also a post written for Black Girl Dangerous outlining what can be done to support trans women of color.
Julian 