Stand With Jada

When I saw the atrocity that was #Jadapose, I, like many others, had begun to feel myself losing hope for humanity

The 16-year-old teen was invited to a party where she was later raped, and pictures of her naked body surfaced on social media. 

I barely have any words for this. 

It shouldn't have to take someone to think that if it were their mother or sister or some female relative close to them, for them to consider or care. Where is the regard for her humanity? For the fact that her body was violated, showcased, and then MOCKED for all to see? Her raped BODY was ridiculed through a hashtag on Twitter and accompanied with other Black teens striking the "#Jadapose". To add insult to injury, there were individuals who were siding with the rapist, shaming Jada for what was DONE TO HER, and making comments such as "he could rape me anytime", trivializing this devastating situation. While the media attention gained to counter this has been garnered, it is sad that people were initially learning about Jada's rape as a joke.

This is reminiscent of Sarah Baartman (the "Hottentot Venus"), the slave woman who was displayed as a freak, her body on exhibit for people to publicly oogle, touch, examine, mock and ridicule. After her death, casts of her body were made and they (along with jars filled with her organs) remained on display in Paris for many to view like some exotic showcase. This correlation is VERY troubling.  

I applaud Jada for her bravery, but it rips me up inside to see how hollow her eyes looked as she spoke. Void of hope, or comfort. This violence against Black girls and women, the cultural dismemberment of black bodies, and the trivialization of rape needs to stop. I want to say that I hope those responsible for this are brought to justice, but what about the ramifications? What steps will be taken afterwards to prevent this from ever happening again? This dehumanization is so deeply ingrained in our media and culture and fed to us systematically, how are we going to dismantle it? How can I and my fellow sisters dwell safely in a world where rape is trivialized and the victims can find no escape from blame, both physically and via social media? One can identify their cultural affinity within "Black twitter" or other groups within social media that are alike. It can be seen as a source of support or a platform to propel ideas of uplifting and activism. After this case however, I see them as attackers. Black faces ready to humiliate, target, scrutinize, brutalize, attack, and shun other Black faces. For far too long, it has been too easy to sit behind a computer or mobile device, and potentially damage someone's life (sometimes ultimately ending it). This sets the example for other races to follow, a guide on how to treat us too. That Black bodies and lives are not valued, and that we should be treated as such. I wish more people were aware of this.

At this point, I urge you all to stand with Jada and pray for this world. My hope for humanity has just about run out.