Statement on Sonya Massey
The tragic murder of Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman, in her own home at the hands of the Sangamon County (IL) sheriff’s office has brought to light the perils of what happens when we ignore bias. Deputy Sean Grayson, who had previously worked for the department, was unequivocally responsible for her murder. Grayson’s history of misconduct was well-documented and included allegations of abuse, problematic behavior in law enforcement, and driving under the influence of alcohol. It is of the utmost importance that this prior pattern of inappropriate behavior receives immediate attention.
Furthermore, because his problematic behavior was not addressed, he was able to continue to hold positions of authority, leading to an entirely avoidable escalation that ultimately resulted in Sonya Massey’s murder. Had these earlier allegations been thoroughly investigated, it is likely that this murder would not have occurred. It should come as no surprise that there is an immediate and non-negotiable call for accountability and transparent oversight in law enforcement. Implementing these precautions is critical to prevent future similar tragedies.
Recently, we have noticed the removal of DEI and anti- bias training from colleges, organizations, and schools. We are talking less about equity, and even pride organizations have shown that they don’t see the importance of these topics. If former Deputy Grayson had received regular education on the importance of equity, cultural humility, and anti-black racism, this horrific tragedy could have been prevented.
It is imperative that we recognize that without equity, we can not have equality. Without equality and equity, we can not have justice. The fact of the matter is that we all have biases. If we’re not engaging in regular anti-bias training, that unconscious bias can result in negative outcomes that can adversely affect the organizations that we represent. In order to fix a problem, we have to recognize the existence of the problem. There should be more, not less anti-bias education. This education just might save lives.
