There is absolutely no reason why Ta’Kiya Young deserved to be fatally shot by a police officer.
For anyone who wants to try and say “Well she shouldn’t have shoplifted and then this never would’ve happened!” let’s back up for a moment. Whether or not she was “guilty” of anything has absolutely nothing to do with this whole situation.
Ta’kiya was a victim of the same thing that every Black person in America is forced to reconcile with every single day: knowing that your life is perceived as less valuable and that if you are not always on your “best behavior,” law enforcement will not hesitate to use deadly force to put an abrupt end to your existence.
I feel like I shouldn’t even have to say this but it deserves mentioning that ALL Black folks should be allowed to mess up, to make mistakes, to make poor choices, and to take risks without having to consider whether it will result in being murdered by the police.
It is unacceptable for white folks to keep trying to use “guilt or innocence” as a determinate about whether systemic racism should be allowed to continue to take Black people’s lives in America.
Ta’Kiya Young should be alive, her unborn child should be alive, and her children should have their mother with them right now.
Say her name.
