Sakia Gunn died four years ago today

The murder of Sakia Gunn on May 11, 2003 seared me to the soul, despite the fact that I did not know her, never lived in Newark, and knew nothing about the active lgbt community there. I've written about the many reasons why it affected me so, as a woman, mother and journalist and scholar. Sakia's death also led me two poems, the first of which, "A Libation for Sakia," is below. This is recording of the first public reading of the poem, at Unity Fellowship Church-New Brunswick, on May 17, 2003.


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Sakia's murder inspired activism, scholarship and soul-searching about why the murders of some victims incite more concern than others. One of the most notable projects-in-progress is the Sakia Gunn Film Project. The trailer, which is below, speaks volumes. In a recent IM conversation with Chas Bennett Brack, one of the film's producers, told me that the film is moving into its post-production phase, and plans for distribution are underway.




Since Sakia's murder, other lgbt victims have briefly drawn public attention, then faded from public awareness. Rashawn Brazell's killer remains unidentified, more than two years after his brutal death. Michael Sandy's accused murderers now deny statements police say they made about their involvement in his sadistic beating death in October, 2006.

On May 11 at 4 PM in Philadelphia, organizers will gather to plan a demonstration protesting police inaction in the March 22 killing of Erica Keel, a 20-year-old African American transwoman. Keel was killed by a driver who, according to witnesses, ran over her body four times, and then fled. The police ruled Keel's death an accident and no charges have been filed against the driver, according to reports.

Meanwhile, Pres. Bush has promised to veto hate-crimes legislation passed by the House of Representatives that includes penalties for crimes committed on the basis of gender, sexual orientation and disability. Terrance at Republic of T puts a human face on this issue. But in a post on the aftermath of the Virginia Tech tragedy, Terrance raises the issue that was at the core of what I was trying to say in my first poem about Sakia's killing: our warped ideas about masculinity are coming home to roost. We ignore the ways in which we equate manliness with violence at our peril.


[By the way, I've stated my objections before to the common contention that hate crimes are thought crimes. Stentor Danielson was kind enough to give some serious thought to the matter. I'll have to craft a response to his well-considered points after my grades are in.]

cross-posted at BlogHer