The media coverage of the case of the 35 year old missing Maryland woman in Aruba reminds me once again how the media fails to report the cases of missing black women. No, the woman missing in Aruba is not African American. If she were African American or some other minority, I doubt if the mainstream media would cover the story.
Why does race matter in cases of missing women and girls? It should not matter but apparently to the media, it’s an important fact. Countless numbers of African American women and girls go missing, but the mainstream media either doesn’t care to notice or report on them. Take for instance, the case of missing North Carolina 16 year old Phylicia Barnes, who went missing while visiting relatives in Baltimore over the Christmas holiday in 2010. Phylicia was an honors student, who was graduating one year earlier and had plans to attend college. Early on, the Baltimore detectives practically begged the national media to report on and cover her case. Baltimore police spokesperson, Anthony Gugliemi stated:
“I don’t know why this case is any different that the Natalee Holloway case. ” “The only exception is that Phylicia was in Baltimore and she’s from North Carolina,” “America rallied around Natalee and CNN aired hourly updates. In my case, I’m just asking that [Phylicia’s] picture be put up and it be noted that she’s missing and in danger.”
Barnes’ case was the most intensive investigation of a missing person by the Baltimore police in years. Except for a few segments on national television after constant prodding by the Baltimore detectives, national media rarely covered her case. Four months later, she was found dead, the result of a homicide.
The lack of coverage of black women and girls is not intended to take away from coverage of any other woman or girl who goes missing. For all the faces of missing women, like Natalie Holloway or Elizabeth Smart and now missing Robyn Gardner in Aruba, there are countless unnamed and unseen faces of African American women and girls who go missing without a trace of media coverage. Except for local cases covered on local stations, there is no coverage. When was the last time anyone saw a missing African American woman reported on national media or headline news?
Race matters in missing women cases. And Black women who are missing should matter to the media. If they did, perhaps, Phylicia Barnes would be alive today.
Washington, DC based Debbie Hines is a legal and political commentator who appears frequently in the media on issues on women and race. She also contributes to the Huffington Post. She is a former Baltimore prosecutor.
Georgia C. Antoine says
Shame on all of these news networks that think that because of the color of your skin, you are beautiful enough to talk about on a daily basis. When we as black people stand up and demand that they talk about our missing, and force their hand, I have sat and timed the length of time they spend on reporting about us. It is less than one minute. Even when we force them to speak about our children. Something needs to be done. I know we need the news, but I do know that when we stop watching, they loose the viewership and end up losing their air time… Let’s stand together, we have a black president!!!! We can cause a massive effect of change.
D. Harrrison says
I think a little more pressure is needed, a little more “noise” needs to be made, if more attention is to be given to this problem. Thousands of “Minority” Folk occupy decision-making positions in the media: that fact has to be tapped to help “make some noise”. Much also has to be done to educate women to learn to develop Awareness and Alertness. Ladies, whether or not you admit it, you are more vulnerable. Enjoy your freedom, have fun; but remember “freedom is not free”! You are the first- line-of-defense. The Police can’t be there BEFORE the problem arises, but you are. Learn to Defend and Protect yourself with simple steps and safe Self Defense devices. Chances are, the media won’t need to report you missing!
cassandra says
often wondered about this issuse my self, i was on a 14 day cruise with my daughter and abruba was one of the stops, for some reason i became ill and was forced of the ship with my daughter, i often asked god why ? I planned this strip for so long. The only thing that could have been worst, is if my daughter went missing. So I wondered how many african amercian women go missing and just not reported>?
cassandra says
concerning blacks having power not used in the media. I think a lot of times the way they achieved the power is by not being a champion for black causes . So to keep the position they cont, with the same attitudes, I think we as consumers have more power then we use. We seem to be all moving about and not thinking about the decisions we make and how much power they have. we need to start a movement that ever product we buy, every candidate we vote for are not just single votes or purchasing power but we can all act in union and strike a mighty blow. Just like we did in the last presidential election we can make a difference, what we need now is a leader? any one