Breonna Taylor Would Have Been 27 Today
Long before most of us ever heard George Floyd’s name, another innocent black person was murdered at the hands of negligent officers.
Breonna Taylor — “Bre” to those close to her — was an EMT first responder and aspiring nurse who loved singing, cooking, and “checking up on friends,” according to NPR.
Today would have been Breonna’s 27th birthday, had her life not been taken so abruptly. So today, we celebrate her birthday by sharing her story and pledging an oath to be better. In small and large ways, every day.
As our nation comes together in an attempt to re-thread the shredded fabrics of American society — from the systemic racism to the corrupt abuses of police and the oligarchy at large — we have to honor the lives lost in the climatic uprising of this revolution.
We should all be forever indebted to these tragic heroes who remind us what it is to be human. And what it is that connects us, in spite of our differences. Because they are forcing us into the daunting task of chiseling away at this rotting core of our American social-sphere, re-building something imperishable in its place.
On March 13th, 26-year-old Breonna was asleep in her apartment with her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, when three Louisville officers forced their way into the residency via a no-knock warrant — none of them in uniform.
Walker, assuming it was a robbery or other sort of malicious intrusion, shot one of the men in his leg. The officers retaliated with at least a dozen rounds of gunfire. Eight of which were aimed at, and ultimately killed, Breonna. She was dead and her boyfriend was arrested — charged with attempted murder against a police officer (those charges were later dropped).
Why were the officers there in the first place? They were looking for a man Breonna once dated, apparently. Even though he was already in custody. An inexcusable and gross oversight in its own right.
Perhaps most disturbing is that the first news stories glossed over her death entirely. Instead of painting young Breonna as an unfortunate victim, the articles emphasized the one police officer’s injury — merely mentioning Breonna as a suspect. As if she were the villain in this nightmare.
A family member said it was difficult finding funeral arrangements, in part, because of the manipulated “suspect” nature of Breonna’s narrative.
Outfuckingrageous.
Abhorrent.
Negligent.
Reckless.
Insane.
Unlawful.
Inhumane.
Shameless.
UNJUST AF.
The family will still celebrate Breonna’s birthday on Saturday in a celebration of life in downtown Louisville. And we should celebrate too.
In small and big ways, every day. To honor Breonna and the life that was robbed from her.
Her death was the embodiment of careless evil. And I can’t help but believe if Breonna came from an affluent white family, that those officers would not only be fired, but well on their way to life in prison.
And just like Breonna’s aunt, Bianca Austin, who said, “We need real change in America. I’ve got to still raise a little black boy here in the world we live in. … Nobody’s safe. If it can happen to Breonna, it can happen to anyone.” … I believe we need real change.
Until we get there, none of us can be at peace — no matter what color our skin is.
To quote the great late MLK Jr. :
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
Which re-iterates this week’s theme:
We can only become an undivided nation when there is liberty and justice for ALL. PERIOD.
Because fear and hate breeds more fear and hate. And the circle never ends. Unless we do something about it. Unless we stand up to fear and hate. Unless we pledge to be better. To listen and learn. To hear and understand. To sympathize and empathize.
And to get fucking angry. And to demand change.
And to raise your babies, children, and teens to love ALL other babies, children, and teens. Changing the world starts at home. And it starts with love, kindness, and acceptance, regardless of our differences.
So do what you need to do to be on the right side of history, and then hug your loved ones. And think of Breonna’s friends and families who can’t ever hug her again.
