Missing Black Women and the Case of Carlee Russell
In July, the nation was captivated by the bizarre case of Carlee Russell, a 29-year-old Alabama woman who falsely claimed to have been abducted and held captive for over 48 hours. While the damage to her reputation is evident, this incident has also shed light on a troubling issue - the significant lack of media attention given to missing Black women and women of color.
The Crisis of Missing Black Women and Girls in the US
Shockingly, Black women and girls, who make up a mere 7% of the U.S. population and 18% of the female population, accounted for a staggering 34.6% of the 300,000 missing women reported in 2021. This stark contrast in media coverage, coupled with the prolonged response times for investigating missing Black women, underscores the pressing need for change.
Media Resists Coverage of the Crisis
Media outlets serve as critical agents for raising awareness and exerting pressure on law enforcement agencies to prioritize and allocate resources for these cases. Unfortunately, historically, such outlets have provided meager coverage of missing Black women, perpetuating a troubling trend often referred to as "white woman syndrome," where cases of missing white women eclipse those of women of color.
Michigan's Significant Challenges with Missing Persons
Michigan, ranking 49th in missing persons cases, faces a significant challenge, especially in Detroit, which ranks among the top cities with the highest number of missing individuals. This highlights the urgency of addressing the issue in communities predominantly comprised of Black residents.
Changes to This Urgent Situation
Recent developments, such as the FBI's involvement in investigating missing Black teen girls in Michigan, might indicate a changing tide. Nevertheless, the responsibility falls squarely on the Black community and Black news outlets to ensure these stories receive the attention they merit. Keeping the faces and narratives of missing Black women and girls prominently featured in public awareness is paramount. The need for change is not only evident but also within reach.
The following story examines this phenomenon, particularly in light of Carlee Russell. M2M Research Network shares this information as a critical issue of ethics. Every person deserves to be safe regardless of gender, race, religion or other social circumstance. You deserve to be safe.
This is a crisis. The next person who is missing could be your relative, your colleague or your friend.
The next missing person could be you.
Please read the "Media's Strange Treatment of Missing Black Women" to learn more.
The Misogynoir to Mishpat (M2M) Research Network (c) 2023
Please join us:
