“We must stop the sacrifice of our children on the altar of indifference, neglect, and hate.” – Brutha’ Q

Brutha’Q NSR Date 20190301

The article on the suicide of McKenzie Adams troubles my heart, grieves my soul, and upsets my sense of well-being. Just 9-years old, this precious young black girl concluded that the time had come to end her life alone in the bathroom by hanging herself. What life troubles, what life afflictions, what life trauma had so overwhelmed her being, had so burdened her 9-year existence that suicide became the only irrational option selectable.

How could a ride to school with a classmate of a different race and gender unleash in children within her own age group such cruelty and meanness that her solution to harassment was “suicide.” How is it that the school system exonerates itself so easily and quickly by stating “There have been no findings of any report of bullying by either the student or family.” (Quoted from Tuscaloosa News Staff Writer, Drew Taylor, Article “School say no reports of bullying of McKenzie Adams of Linden”). So that’s it…that’s the whole story – Grandmother finds 9-year old granddaughter dead in the closet. Family says bullying. Schools says no reports. Funeral Saturday in the school gym.

We are still generations away from Dr. King’s hopeful statement, “I have a dream that one day little black boys and girls will be holding hands with little white boys and girls,” when instead, according to her Aunt, we have a little black girl being verbally assaulted by with “racist bullying” and taunting of “kill yourself”- “you think you’re white because you ride to school with that white boy” – “you ugly” – “black bitch” – “just die.” One’s dream is another’s nightmare!

Shouldn’t a community offer all of its members safety, security, and life…equally? Shouldn’t a community take “ownership” and “responsibility” for the treatment, concern, and care for each man, woman, and child…period? What is the purpose of government? What is the utility of community? How is it that a 9-year old black girl can take her own life and the family raises the specter of race-based bullying/taunting and before she is buried the “community (police and school) internal investigation” finds, “Our office is not in receipt of any “written” documentation from the family of the deceased child or the deceased child herself reporting or alleging that the deceased child was subjected to bullying or harassment by any student attending the Jones Elementary School or any other school in the District.” – my official sounding words! Sadly, the community police department has closed the case…the investigation is done.

McKenzie should have been enjoying life and enjoying learning. As a 9-year old girl, she should have been dreaming of being an astronaut and going to Mars, she should have been looking forward to her 10th birthday and all the birthdays after that, she should have been anticipating all the joys of youth filled with laughter, hope, and friends. Yet on a Monday before school, this precious 9-year old child – a Gift from Heaven – went into her Grandmother’s bathroom, closed and locked the door, and, while all alone, hung herself. What we have here is a failure of community!

In Unity,

Brutha’ Q

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” – NKJV Matthew 19:14