Huffington Post is doing a series for Black History Month titled “28BlackLives”. I was asked to write an article on Renisha McBride. As an African American woman, Renisha McBride’s manner of death deeply affected me. Knocking on a stranger’s door for help in the pre-dawn hours of November 2, 2013 and being greeted with a single 12 gauge rifle shot to the face by her killer, Theodore Wafer, speaks volumes about our society today. And although the prosecutors and defense attorney refused to mention race as a factor in her case, her case had much to do about race and less to do about her being drunk, as news accounts reported. Renisha McBride should be alive today. As an African American woman, McBride's death deeply affected me. Nineteen-year-old McBride was shot and killed while seeking help on the porch of Theodore Wafer, a 55 year old white man, in a Detroit suburb, following her car accident in the pre-dawn morning hours of November 2, 2013. McBride's loud knocks on … [Read more...] about 28 Black Lives
Renisha McBride
Why Theodore Wafer was Found Guilty in McBride’s Murder
Theodore Wafer was found guilty of 2nd degree murder, manslaughter and discharging a firearm in the commission of a felony on August 7 for the murder of 19 year old Renisha McBride. The verdict, just one day after closing arguments, sends a loud message that the jury did not struggle with reaching their verdict. While the defense said in closing argument that the case was not about race, it was everything about race and gender. Wafer, a middle aged white man, used every conceivable racial coding language during his testimony. He testified that he feared for his life as several persons might be breaking into his home, in his now changing suburban neighborhood. He testified about how he was scared hearing the thunderous pounding of his front, side and back doors with metal hitting the door and his floors vibrating. Testifying that multiple persons were attempting to break in his house, he didn’t want to cower or be a victim in his own home. And he claims he shot in self- defense. And … [Read more...] about Why Theodore Wafer was Found Guilty in McBride’s Murder
Recapping the Renisha McBride Case
The prosecution started their opening argument saying all Renisha McBride wanted to do was go home on November 2, 2013 when she was fatally shot by Theodore Wafer on his porch. She was injured, intoxicated, perhaps disoriented and seeking help. The case is now in the hands of the jury. Until they deliberate and reach a verdict, no one will know how the case will finally conclude. In recapping the case, there are many pieces that affect a jury’s decision. And the victim in a murder case is never able to tell their side of the story. It is told through the lens of the police who investigated it, how well they did their job, the prosecutors who prepared the case for trial, and the defendant, if he/she takes the stand. The other factors are the jury racial, ethnic and gender make up, the judge’s jury instructions, the subtle biases of the jury and the demeanor of the prosecutor and defense attorneys. No one factor stands alone. In any case, the jury is a crucial … [Read more...] about Recapping the Renisha McBride Case
Renisha McBride was Black, a Woman and a Human
While Trayvon Martin’s murder was viewed through the lens of race, the murder of McBride is seen more through the eyes of gender---the killing of a black woman. And in our patriarchal and sexist society where women still rank lower than men in most instances, black women rank at the very bottom. The undisputed facts of her case are even more disturbing that those involving the murder of Trayvon Martin. She was shot to death while seeking help from Theodore Wafer, her accused murderer, who was locked inside his house. Yet the media and public appear indifferent to her case. Some argue on social media that we are becoming numb due to the number of murder cases of young black life from Trayvon Martin, Jonathan Ferrell, Hadiya Pendleton, Jordan Davis and now Renisha McBride. There is another reason and that one is rooted in gender and how black women are treated in the media. Black women are mostly marginalized in the media and seen in limited roles. In the media, black … [Read more...] about Renisha McBride was Black, a Woman and a Human