Women’s Voices on Justice for Black Men
We Refuse to Be Silent: Women’s Voices on Justice for Black Men
Edited by Angela P. Dodson
Broadleaf Books, 33 pages. 2024
“When I think about my son sometimes, I can’t breathe. I can’t allow myself to even visualize him out of the world, moving, just being a young man in America. If I did, I would never let him out of my sight.”
Donna Hill, Author
“A Mother of Suns” in We Refuse to Be Silent
In a profound meditation on loss and the imperfections of justice, Donna Hill’s poignant reflection encapsulates the fears many mothers face regarding their Black sons in America. This sentiment is a cornerstone of Angela P. Dodson’s edited collection, We Refuse to Be Silent: Women’s Voices on Justice for Black Men. The book serves as a clarion call for justice and an acknowledgment of the systemic issues surrounding police brutality and systemic racism faced chiefly by Black men. Through the voices of 35 diverse women—journalists, scholars, psychologists, and ministers—Dodson compiles essays that shine a light on their refusal to remain silent amidst a culture of violence and injustice.
Opening with the haunting acknowledgment that “another Black man, some mother’s son, some woman’s husband” will inevitably fall victim to brutality, the introduction sets the stage for a spirited exploration of emotional turmoil and activism. Divided into two parts—“Emotion” and “Activism”—the essays feature notable contributors such as Elizabeth Alexander, Donna Brazile, Tananarine Due, and Isabel Wilkerson, who each bring a critical analysis of the realities facing today’s Black men.
In her essay, Elizabeth Alexander introduces the concept of “The Trayvon Generation,” referring to youth who have had their formative years shaped by witnessing the violence inflicted upon Black lives. This generation has been bombarded by media narratives detailing the tragic deaths of young Black men, including Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor. Alexander argues that it’s crucial to immerse these young adults in experiences that celebrate joy and community. By surrounding them with art and culture—through poets, filmmakers, and musicians—these youths can craft narratives that counter the pervasive fear and harm depicted in mainstream media. Closing her essay with the powerful reminder that we have the potential to redefine our freedom, she draws on Langston Hughes’ vision of standing “free within ourselves.”
Elijah McClain’s heartbreaking story, recounted in Dodson’s essay “I’m Just Different; Disabled at High Risk of Harm by Police,” illustrates the tragic intersection of disability and police violence. McClain was a young man whose life was snuffed out during a senseless encounter while wearing a ski mask to fend off the cold. The desperate pleas he made to the officers—proclaiming he was simply different—highlight a crucial reality: many Black individuals targeted by police are often dealing with mental health issues or disabilities. Dodson emphasizes chilling statistics showing that disabled individuals constitute a significant portion of those killed by police in the United States, showcasing an urgent need for awareness and change.
Jackie Jones offers a stark account of the chilling realities that can stem from systemic failures in her essay “Two Tonys: Black Man and Prison.” Her narrative revolves around her son, Anthony P. Jones, who faced wrongful arrest due to mistaken identity. Resonating with many parents, her opening lines highlight a universal fear: “Every parent of a teenager or young adult fears the phone call in the middle of the night.” Through this deeply personal lens, Jones elucidates how easily lives can be turned upside down by the errors of a flawed system.
Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor introduces readers to abolitionist thought in her essay, “The Emerging Movement for Police and Prison Abolition.” She highlights Mariame Kaba, whose book We Do This Til We Free Us challenges the foundations of the criminal justice system. Kaba argues that the high rates of incarceration have little effect on crime reduction, pointing instead to a system that perpetuates punishment rather than promoting healing or rehabilitation. This brings forth a vital question: what purpose does a criminal justice system serve if it primarily inflicts harm rather than addressing underlying societal issues?
Gloria Browne-Marshall, in her insightful essay “Why They Kill Us,” issues a passionate call to action for healing and change through litigation, legislation, and protest. Her statement reinforces the warning from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., emphasizing that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Such a shared understanding among these women underscores the collective urgency for reform and the need to actively address systemic injustices.
Angela P. Dodson, as the editor of this compiled work, not only contributes her voice but also brings forth a platform that gives expression to the urgency of these narratives. Owing to her extensive experience in journalism and editing, she skillfully curates the insights and testimonies that make up this compilation, amplifying the call for justice for Black men in America.
Dr. Brenda M. Greene is Professor Emeritus and Founder and Executive Director Emeritus of the Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College, CUNY. For more information, visit https://www.drbrendamgreene.com
