On Saturday, July 6, 2024, we lost a beautiful spirit and an angel, Ms. Sonya Massey, a cherished young lady in our community. As African Americans, we carry the despicable and horrific legacy of enduring the middle passage, slavery, and the Jim Crow South. Unfortunately, today African Americans face an additional threat to take African Americans in reverse to an unpleasant period of time in history — Project 25. It’s the dangerous agenda by the Heritage Foundation and the “Trumpian MAGA Movement” aiming to return Blacks to those literal dark days of the Jim Crow South and slavery.

America is a country which the radical right feel ownership and because of the many advances of Black Americans, they are now in the political, violent, and revolutionary throes of attempting to reverse all the gains made by African Americans in this country and beyond. Blacks and right-thinking people on all sides must stand up to the gang mentality and racial disparaging thugs like the many before us. Collectively, we must go to battle not only for the soul of Black America, but the decency, anti-racial climate, and respect for the United States of America and its values as the American flag symbolizes. The same flag which was prominently displayed in Ms. Massey’s home at the time of her murder by a police officer. 

Ms. Massey, was an innocent “Black mentally challenged female suffering from schizophrenia,” who was shot in her face while in her home for nothing other than her being Black by a white male police officer because he could. He (Sean Grayson) actually told Sonya beforehand that he would aim for her face, he said to her after she uttered the words, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson replied, “I swear to God I’ll f–king shoot you in the face.”  A threat Grayson carried out) The baffling aspect of Ms. Massey’s death was that it resulted after a request made by officer Sean Grayson for her to attend to a pot of boiling water on the stove. When she complied with his request, deputy Grayson for no apparent reason escalated the incident to the point of killing Ms. Massey, mother of two. When the accompanying officer expresses that he was going to get an emergency kit to help Ms. Massey who appeared to be still living, the Chicago, Illinois deputy [Sean Grayson] said, “Nah, it was a headshot, you can get it, but she’s done.” Grayson afterwards told a group of police officers outside of Massey’s house when they asked if he was ok, according to taped footage he said, “Yeah I’m good, this f–king b-tch is crazy.” The disrespect fomenting in Sean Grayson’s discourse regarding Ms. Massey shows who he is.  

Since the advent of former President Donald Trump’s election in 2016 coupled with his Trumpian MAGA supporters, racism has raised its ugly head and now permeates throughout America again, having been sanctioned by the U.S. President, calling for an end to equitable programs in support of African Americans as well as other ethnic minorities to be abated. It is through the former President Donald J. Trump, who has provided a continuance of the policies of unfairness in policing by encouraged police officers to apply force when making arrests that contributed to the injustice and death of Ms. Sonya Massey and others in society today. Trump in a speech on July 2017 told the law enforcement community in Long Island, New York, “Please don’t be too nice” referring to police treatment of the citizens they confront on a daily basis. 

Furthermore, Trump told the police that the laws are stacked against them and the laws have been made to protect the criminals and not that of law enforcement. As President of the United States, Trump was the Chief Executive Officer for the American people and the various agencies under his direction. It was Trump who furthered today’s racism and the culture of police brutality towards Blacks and ethnic minorities during his administration. We must not forget the words Trump said in defending white-nationalist and neo-Nazi’s after a melee in Charlottesville, Virginia, which ended in the death of a woman and many other people injured. When the media questioned Trump about the violent racist at protest, he said, “There’s Very Fine People on Both Sides.

Additionally, Trump said with regard to the violent altercation by racist at the rally, speaking at his Trump Tower to reporters and onlookers, the peaceful counter-protesters deserve an equal amount of blame for the violence. Trump totally defiant, said, “Do they have any semblance of guilt.” Moreover, the former president said to the press, that they treated the white-nationalist absolutely unfairly. However, under an extreme outcry by the American public and political pressure in Washington, DC, Trump ultimately under sustained criticism, denounced and condemned white-nationalist, neo-Nazi’s, and the Ku Klux Klan, but the damage was done. One must know that because Trump was compelled in public to alter his remarks, does not necessarily change his apparent association or view points of racist far-right winged groups. 

In the case of Sonya Massey, she did nothing but call the police (by way of 911) for help because she suspected a prowler on the grounds of her residence. As a result of her request for assistance, she herself became a victim of a violent crime—not by the suspected prowler but by a member of the Springfield, Illinois police department sworn to serve and protect her. This is directly due to a culture of police brutality sanctioned by the top person in America’s leadership and some of those under his control. The now former deputy of the Illinois Sheriff’s Office, Sean Grayson, 30, who killed Ms. Massey “in cold blood” without any provocation on her part, is now charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. 

The Sangamon County Sheriff, Jack Campbell released Grayson’s personnel file in response to a public records request which revealed a disturbing history of Sean’s military and police career over a short period of time. Grayson was discharged from the Army for serious misconduct and had a history of driving under the Influence (DUI). He was employed from 2020 until his discharge in July 2024 (after killing Ms. Massey) by six Illinois law enforcement agencies (Three was part-time in law enforcement as a cop). 

In an interview conducted by Farrah Anderson and Sam Stecklow for, “Invisible Institute, IPM Newsroom and the Illinois Times, the Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell, defends the vetting of Sean Grayson even though there were countless “Red Flags” in his previous law enforcement jobs and serious misconduct while in the military. Experts have said he was negligent for missing the “red flags” but Sheriff Campbell refuse to step down. See original story: https://ipmnewsroom,org/sangamon-county-sheriff-defends-hiring-of-sean-grayson-sonya-massey/

A CLARION CALL FOR UNDERSTANDING, JUSTICE, PEACE, AND A CEASE FIRE 

The injurious crimes committed by racist police officers and condoned by their upper echelon within the ranks of the police departments throughout America: locally and nationally as well as in the political arenas must be held accountable. Notwithstanding, crimes committed by “Black on Black violence” must also cease and [not] continue to exist without serious consideration. We must find perpetrators of violence accountable to the full extent of the law. [Important note: Please know that all police are not bad or racist. It is the few cops who abuse their oath to all American people that needs to be terminated from their duties effective immediately. As these dangerous rogue law enforcement officials give the majority of good police officers a bad name.]

Liken to Ms. Sonya Massey, Black women are confronted on a daily basis with an array of negative stereotypes, racism, sexism and misogyny. Black women are more likely than any other demographic to be a victim of physical abuse including rape, sexual exploitation, sex trafficking and murder. I am not calling for a violent tirade or a violent riotous protest, but a clear and large showing of a peaceful, unified disgust, and loathing of the actions by police who mistreat and/or murder innocent Black women or any unarmed person of color or otherwise. 

The people demand real justice and transparency in all matters of police shootings everywhere, even if it means replacing the people in leadership for hiring these apparent racist and corrupt murderers of innocent unarmed citizens, and in some cases where they have been proven to be an accessory to the crime, jailed as a co-conspirator. Murders like the ones that took the lives of Sonya Massey, George Floyd, Eleanor Bumpurs, Breonna Taylor, Margaret Mitchell, Alberta Sprull, Tanisha Anderson, Yuvette Henderson, Michelle Cusseaux, Kayla Moore, Tyisha Miller, Atatiana Jefferson, Alexia Christian, LaTanya Moore, Tarika Wilson, April Webster, Korryn Gaines, Michael Brown, Philando Castile, Stephon Clark, Eric Garner, Daniel Wright, Tyre Nichols, Andre Hill, Alton Sterling, and countless others. It’s not enough to say their names, police officers, their superiors, and others, such as those within the Black community who kill other Blacks, must stop or pay the penality!

REMEMBERING MS. SONYA MASSEY

In remembering Ms. Sonya Massey, a story very familiar to the Black community being the latest victim of an unjust system and topic of this article. We all — within and outside the Black community honor her legacy as a loving, compassionate, and positively driven individual despite her mental health issues. 

Her family describes Sonya as a “Superhero,” as she loved to help and uplift others. Massey enjoyed cooking for her family, doing hair, laughing— and just enjoying the life given to her by the Almighty God. Sonya had an unconditional and strong admiration for her children, helping to shepherd their success through providing spiritual enlightenment. Ms. Sonya Massey’s light continues to illuminate brightly in the hearts and minds of those who knew her and those who learned of Ms. Massey untimely and senseless death by a rogue police deputy. Her memory serves as a stark reminder to all of us of the preciousness of life in this face-paced and unsympathetic society and world as well as the importance of cherishing each day and moment we have with those we hold dear. 

While Ms. Sonya Massey’s life was cut-down in her prime, the impact resulting from her unexpected and racially motivated death have already registered with people around the world, calling for a stoppage of the police brutality. Ms. Massey’s death is inspiring others to strive for greatness, a complete overhaul of mental health education, staffing, as well as treatment facilities for a growing number of individuals inflicted with this disease in America. As was the case with Ms. Sonya Massey, the mother of two.  

THE FIGHT FOR MENTAL HEALTH IN AMERICA MADE GREATER BY THE DEATH OF MS. SONYA MASSEY!

Mental health has been the focus of increased concern in recent years and especially within the Black community. After the modern day “Lynching” of Ms. Massey by a Sheriff’s deputy, professionals in the mental health field and politicians are re-focusing their attention to the importance of mental well-being as a method of reducing crime and the overall impact unchecked mental illness is having on society. The people in charge are discussing the necessity of building a better response to the apparent growing need in the area of mental health. However, we the united citizens of America have to keep the pressure on our leaders to make sure they get the job done for the people who can’t speak for themselves. 

I am cognizant that the issues surrounding Mental Health in America is easier said than done, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic which has caused an increase in mental heath among individuals in America and the world’s populations. However, I believe the United States government must delve deeper into major components in the creation of mental health problems in America, which is a lack of economic prosperity, proper healthcare, adequate support, and resources for individuals dealing with mental health issues. In particular, there has to be a greater focus on the creation of more mental health professionals and mental health facilities to meet the ever-growing demand of people who have fallen victim to mental disorders. 

Historically, individuals who have been identified as having mental health deficiencies were surrounded by stigmas and discrimination in the United States. Sufferers of mental health illnesses have been and still are marginalized, misunderstood and looked upon as America’s villains and Individuals prone to cause bodily harm to anyone in their path. Individuals akin to Ms. Sonya Massey (who suffered from mental illness: Schizophrenia) are often viewed as violent and a burden on society, and unable to contribute to its community or the greater society in a meaningful way.

Henceforth, they have been and still are in the minds of many as being disposable. Mental health stigmas can be traced back to the early days of the colonization of slaves whose colonizers felt they didn’t fit the mold of a productive slave/servant and possibly had mental health problems. These slaves were cast aside, killed or institutionalized. They were at times used as guinea pigs for the advancement of the white race by conducting a host of medical test and experiments similar to the “Tuskegee Syphilis Study” conducted in 1932 – 1972. It was a study of “Untreated Syphilis” in nearly 400 African American men, with over 100 that died. (The study was conducted by the United States Public Health Service (PHS), and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Ms. Sonya Massey’s murder is not new as we all know. Therefore, in order to preclude or slow mental health issues and keep people from becoming the subject of a tragic murder because of the lack of understanding, it’s going to take all of us to support those afflicted with mental illness. It is going to take governmental resources for training America’s police departments and other agencies of how to respond to individuals afflicted with “Mental Health Disorders” in a noncombative manner — offering compassion rather than distain and violence. 

We must call on our state and local legislators and lawmakers in Washington DC to support and fund mental healthcare and its facilities above the minimums in order to serve individuals suffering from mental illness. It is a disease like any other. Lastly, the Black community must stay conscious and continually fight for those less fortunate in a magnanimous fashion, and not give up the fight until conditions for victims of mental health have been properly addressed, the unjust killings stop, and there is equality across the board for everyone in America regardless of race, culture, or mental health status.