Hannah Drake experienced emotional whiplash after witnessing the bodycam footage of police officer killing Sonya Massey in her own kitchen in Illinois. Massey, a Black mother, was shot by Deputy Sean Grayson after calling 911 for a possible intruder in her home. Grayson aggressively yelled at Massey and ultimately shot her in the head while she held a pot of boiling water. This incident comes as Vice President Kamala Harris becomes the presumptive nominee, leading some Black women to feel taken for granted by the Democratic Party.
The lack of progress in police reform since the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd is concerning, with the police killing more Americans than ever before in the past year. Activists like Timothy Findley Jr. and DeRay McKesson are continuing to work towards reducing police brutality through policy changes at the local and state levels. However, more action is needed, as seen in the case of Massey who was shot despite calling for help. Efforts to decrease police brutality should focus on both policy reform and a cultural change within law enforcement organizations.
Attorney Lonita Baker emphasizes the importance of thoughtful hiring practices and better systems for addressing misconduct within police departments. While progress may be slow, activists like Trahern Crews believe that continued pressure on police departments and elected officials is necessary to enact meaningful policy change. Massey’s death serves as a reminder of the ongoing work that needs to be done to address racial justice in America.
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