As our nation continues to battle the racial inequalities of our country and the unquantifiable impact of the killing of black and brown people which was so poignantly highlighted by a summer of protest, this past weekend another black person lost their life at the hands of law enforcement.
This past weekend Casey Goodson Jr. was shot in the back by a Franklin County Sheriff’s officer, as he entered his home…here in our city. As a member of the Columbus community this hurts; as a member of the black community this is enraging; as an intersectional person who is a queer black man living in this community this is frightening.
The LGBTQ+ community all too well understands the feeling and affect the impact of silent judgment and oppressive actions have on a community and in this moment of Casey Goodson Jr.’s killing the BIPOC community’s plight is highlighted—once again. As traditionally marginalized identities that coexist in a space, we should work to demand equal accountability of those who are charged with the task of keeping us safe from violence enacted on us; violence which tends to significantly impact the lives of black, brown and trans people.
Accountability in this moment is demanding an answer to the question “Why does it seem, time and again, the first response with brown and black people is to shoot first and ask questions second?” We are not judge and jury; we are partners in accountability with inquiry that we hope works toward a vision of a community where we all thrive.
We don’t know all of the details of the situation; but we do know a life was taken and for that we must make the space to give pause for a loss of humanity.
With pride,
–Densil P.
Interim Executive Director
Stonewall Columbus
