Where Are Those Missing Girls In DC and Other States in America?!

I’m a 25-year-old woman from South London, this who relocated to Frankfurt, viagra Germany last summer for the next step of my career. As of yet, I haven’t been a victim of gender discrimination in the work place (that I know of). But, as social media spreads the word, I am becoming more aware of the sexism that women face on a day-to-day basis. I visited the Battle of the Sexes exhibition a few weeks ago, and was left in shock.The women’s movement began in the mid -19th Century. It shook up society as women began to play a ‘significant’ role. They wanted their own voice, they wanted the right to vote- was this really too much to ask? Given that you couldn’t share a tweet or add a filter to your latest Instagram post, art was a useful way to share feelings and opinions. Let’s talk about Franz von Stuck – never heard of him? Neither had I!

Medusa by Franz von Stuck

The German artist wasn’t most pleased with the women’s movement so he used art to share his opinion. Do you remember learning about Medusa at school? A once beautiful woman who was punished with snakes for hair and eyes that would turn anyone who looked directly into them to stone. Well Stuck used Greek Mythology to portray women as fearful and intimidating objects. Also, I hardly think it’s a coincidence that before her punishment Medusa was an extremely attractive woman, who was later perceived as an evil threat and was punished for being proud of herself.

So this got me thinking… Why is it that men can be proud and dominant and no one bats an eyelid? Yet as soon as a woman acts in this way, it is seen as “stepping out of line” or “not being lady-like.” Think about it; how many times have you heard a man be referred to as “bossy”? 
– Nope, me neither! 

Frida Kahlo was one of Mexico’s best artists. She displayed and celebrated the female body through her art and encouraged women to express their individuality. Kahlo was a feminist, who didn’t intend to blend in with the crowd; she was looked down on for smoking, drinking and swearing! You might think ‘oh, that sort of thing is in the past’, but it was only last year that Kendall Jenner appeared in the news for leaving the house without a bra on!

On leaving the exhibition I felt like I had been exposed to a huge reality that I have potentially been a victim of without even realising. With statements like “Grab her by the p***y” being thrown out there by newly elected world leaders, things don’t look too great, but despite this knock-back there has been some progress. In March 2015, Germany passed a law that companies must have at least 30 percent of women in supervisory seats in the boardroom. German Justice Minister Heiko Maas said that this is “the greatest contribution to gender equality since women got the vote.”

So perhaps you were as naïve as I was and hadn’t realised how relevant the lack of gender equality is to our every-day lives. But it’s never too late for men and women to speak up, “we have to teach our girls that they can reach as high as humanly possible” – Beyoncé.

Written by Alisa Jordan
The recent uproar covering black, sildenafil latinx, medicine and native american children that have gone missing in recent weeks is calling the credibility of national and federal government agencies to question in the United States. The Washington Post, Vibe, Essence, and other media outlets are sounding off but not nearly enough attention is being given to this national security issue. Metropolitan Police Department has communicated that the District of Columbia has had 501 cases of missing children (persons 17 years old and younger) since the beginning of 2017. We are seeing what has been happening in America for decades highlighted in plain daylight right now and we are being prompted to respond.

What exactly is happening? People of color or “minority” people are being attacked, kidnapped, and silenced in increasing numbers. Although between borders people of color are defined as the “minority” globally they hold the majority of humanity. Days after reports from Cornell University depicting genetic findings that do not support racial motifs historically expressed in America we see a large disappearance of children of color. After the conversation starting thriller of the year “Get Out” was released Americans can see now more than ever the truth of what is happening in our nation and in the world at large.

People of color are responding in the United States. Countless citizens are sounding off, reaching out to police departments, federal agencies, and spreading the word online. Celebrities are asking how Tom Brady’s jersey was investigated and found by the FBI, but these young girls are still missing. Additionally congressional representatives are speaking out requesting that resources and time be given to support the “efforts” of law enforcement in finding these children.

“Ten children of color went missing in our nation’s capital in a period of two week and at first garnered very little media attention. That’s deeply disturbing. Whether these recent disappearances are an anomaly or signals of underlying trends, it is essential that the Department of Justice and the FBI use all of the tools at their disposal to help local officials investigate these events,” stated Congressional Black Caucus chairman Cedric Richmond, D-La.

People of color are not being viewed as a priority, and because of this they are becoming increasingly outraged. How they respond to and take action in the midst of this apparent reality will set the standard for how these situations will be handled in the future. So here are seven tips for finding justice and ultimately the missing children of color:

1. Record, Record, Record

Get a record of the police report (once you notify police), and also take your own personal notes. Note when you spoke to local authorities, who you spoke to, and what you told them. Be sure to annotate and pay attention to every little detail, how you responded, and who you conversed with. This will assist you if you aren’t getting the support you think you should be getting and will help you make a timeline and figure out what your next step should be.

2. Tell the Authorities

Once you know or suspect a loved one is missing contact the police. When you do this give them all the pertinent information about your loved one. Make sure you include at least three pictures, nicknames, and a through physical description. Additionally include any unique body markings, tattoos, and the clothes they were wearing the last time you saw them. Make sure you include what places they frequent, the name of friends, and the situation surrounding their disappearance.

3.  Start contacting people

Reach out to family, friends, hospitals, coroners, local establishments, and any other person or place that your loved one may have made contact with prior to or in relation to their having gone missing. Make sure you record everyone you speak to, the times, and what you speak to them about.

4. Contact other Agencies

NamUS (National Missing and Unidentified Persons System) is operated by the Department of Justice and allows you to upload information on your missing loved one so police and the public can use it. Additionally the information you provide is also made available to the public. You can also contact the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) via the online tip forum or writing in. Finally there is the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children this provides services for the families of missing children.

5. Use social media

See what happened in the days leading up to your loved one’s disappearance. Print out clues hints and record new information you find as well as giving it to the police. Ask others to spread the word! Go on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc. Let people know all the information and that you have a loved one missing. People care!

6. Alert local media

Send photos, videos, send information to newspapers, and local blog sites.  

7. Consider hiring a private investigator

If law enforcement and the federal government choose to let your situation go to the wayside at this point you have all the documentation, and records to seek professional help. If you think it is necessary but do not have the funds start a GoFundMe.

People really do care and they do want to help! With that being said if people are unwilling to help you, then you have to take matters into your own hands. Hold these people accountable by communicating to them and if they do not respond in a timely matter expose them. Continue to call the police, ask questions, call the FBI, and call the local new networks. Spread the information so other people can know the dangers and be well informed in keeping their families safe. Hundreds of people of color were packed into a room at the Excell Academy in Washington D.C. on the 22nd of March to discuss solutions. So if you are the loved one of a missing person do not lose hope. If  you are a concerned person (of color or otherwise) you can help by spreading the word, calling the FBI, congress, senators, and by being plugged into resources like NamUS.

Be safe and be awake!

Written by Tiffany Jones

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