Unveiling the Harsh Truth: The Ominous Neglect of Missing Black American Women by Media and Justice System

Wayne Ince
ZORA
Published in
4 min readSep 9

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Photo Credit: Author

In recent years, a disturbing trend has emerged, shedding light on the disproportionate lack of media attention and perceived indifference by law enforcement towards missing black American women. This unfortunate reality has raised questions about the role of racism in investigating crimes against Black Americans. By examining statistics, available FBI data, and historical context, it becomes evident that prejudice and systemic racism continue to adversely affect the search for missing black women. Why does the Media not provide equal reporting to minority victims?

Lack of Media Attention

Media coverage is pivotal in reaching a broader audience and aiding investigations regarding missing persons cases. Unfortunately, black American women who go missing receive significantly less media attention than their white counterparts. This disparity worsens an already dire situation and perpetuates the narrative that the lives of black women are deemed less valuable or newsworthy.

According to a Black and Missing Foundation study, nearly 40% of missing persons’ cases involved black individuals, yet they only comprised a mere 7% of media coverage. This staggering discrepancy indicates inherent bias within the media industry, contributing to public apathy and hindering the urgency needed to bring awareness and resolution to these cases.

Perceived Lack of Interest by Law Enforcement

Law enforcement often serves as the first line of defense in finding missing individuals. However, the experiences of many families indicate a perceived lack of interest from law enforcement agencies when black women go missing. This perceived indifference suggests that systemic racism may inhibit a severe and thorough investigation and deprive families of closure. In my state, the search continues for Cynthia Jean-Pierre a Florida resident. She has been missing since at least 2016. #missingblackwomen

FBI data shows that missing persons cases involving black Americans remain unsolved at a disproportionately high rate compared to cases involving white Americans. This alarming trend raises questions about…

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Wayne Ince
ZORA
Writer for

I write about social justice, mental health , politics, and marginalized communities. Editor of BreakingRanks