During Thursday night's State of the Union address, Marjorie Taylor Greene wore a T-shirt with the message 'Say Her Name,' a phrase borrowed from Black racial justice activists. Greene used this phrase to prompt President Joe Biden to mention Laken Riley, a nursing student from Georgia whose death is central to the U.S. immigration debate. Riley's case involves an immigrant from Venezuela who entered the U.S. illegally and has been charged with her murder.
The 'Say Her Name' rallying cry originated in 2015 after the death of Sandra Bland, popularized by civil rights activist Kimberlé Crenshaw. This phrase aims to draw attention to cases of police violence against Black women, who statistically face a higher risk of experiencing such violence.
Crenshaw expressed concern over the appropriation of this phrase, stating that it undermines civil rights movements and pushes democracy towards instability. She emphasized the importance of resisting the misuse of these concepts to advocate for an inclusive future.
Other Black women included in the 'Say Her Name' movement are Breonna Taylor, Tanisha Anderson, Michelle Shirley, Miriam Carey, Michelle Cusseaux, Shelly Frey, Korryn Gaines, Kayla Moore, Atatiana Jefferson, and India Kager. These women, among others, have been victims of fatal encounters with law enforcement, prompting calls for justice and accountability.
The campaign seeks to break the silence surrounding Black women, girls, and femmes who have lost their lives due to police actions. Crenshaw highlighted the importance of recognizing and resisting attempts to co-opt this movement for extremist agendas.
Overall, the 'Say Her Name' movement continues to shed light on the experiences of Black women facing police brutality and seeks justice for those who have been unjustly harmed or killed.
