He mentioned that a significant challenge in dealing with his grief is the ongoing increase in racially motivated killings and hate crimes against Black individuals throughout the nation.
According to the data, hate crimes against Black individuals under the age of 18 saw a 10% increase in 2020, followed by a 12% rise in 2021 and a further 14.6% surge in 2022.
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- 4 ‘It was a modern-day lynching’
- 5 The KKK is ‘alive and well’
- 6 ‘There’s nothing special about this day’
In one of the instances of hate crimes that took place after the Buffalo mass shooting, a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida, became the site of a racially motivated attack on May 26, 2023. This horrifying incident resulted in the loss of three innocent Black lives. Similarly, on November 22, 2023, a Walmart in Beavercreek, Ohio, experienced another racially motivated shooting, where a white gunman injured two Black individuals and two white shoppers. Tragically, in both cases, the gunmen ended their own lives, as confirmed by the authorities.
In February 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrest of a Florida man and a Maryland woman, both accused of being white supremacists. They were allegedly plotting to attack multiple energy substations with the intention of destroying Baltimore. According to officials, their actions were driven by a racist extremist ideology, as they conspired to cause extensive damage to the power grid and devastate the city. Both suspects have pleaded not guilty and are currently awaiting trial.
Whitfield, in an interview with ABC News, expressed that it is evident that Black people in America continue to endure subjugation, discrimination, racism, and hate. According to Whitfield, the persistence of these issues highlights the concerning state of the country and its intentions towards the Black community.
‘It was a modern-day lynching’
No charges have been filed under the law so far.
Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, a professor of law and Africana studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, explained that the reason it took almost 200 years for Congress to pass an antilynching law is because lynching holds a deeply ingrained power within society.
According to Browne-Marshall, the Emmett Till Antilynching law is considered “powerful.” However, she also mentioned that there is a reluctance among prosecutors to apply it in criminal hate crime cases.
According to the speaker, there is a lack of prosecutors who are fulfilling their responsibilities in cases of lynching. She believes that as Americans, we have overlooked the potential of prosecutors to take legal action in such instances.
According to Browne-Marshall, the prosecutors are simply sitting back and allowing these cases to be swept under the rug without any form of protest.
Federal prosecutors, on the other hand, argue that they are employing a range of federal hate crime laws to ensure justice is served for victims of racially motivated offenses.
In the Arbery case, Travis McMichael, his father Gregory McMichael, and their neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan were found guilty on state charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault with a shotgun, aggravated assault with a pickup truck, false imprisonment, and criminal intent to commit a felony. They have been sentenced to life in prison, with no possibility of parole for the McMichaels. Additionally, they have been convicted of federal hate crime charges for using violence to intimidate and interfere with Arbery based on his race and his use of a public street. The McMichaels have received additional life sentences, while Bryan has been sentenced to 35 years in prison.
“Ensuring the preservation of civil rights and taking a firm stance against white supremacist violence has always been at the core of the Justice Department’s mission, and it is a commitment that we will relentlessly pursue,” emphasized Attorney General Garland in response to the sentencing of the McMichaels and Bryan.
“The imposition of harsh sentences for these heinous hate crimes should serve as a powerful message that those who engage in violence driven by hate will face consequences,” Clarke emphasized. “The Justice Department remains unwavering in its dedication to investigating and prosecuting hate crimes, no matter where they take place in our nation.”
Payton Gendron, the individual responsible for the tragic Buffalo massacre, has been handed a life sentence without the chance of parole. Gendron pleaded guilty to 15 state charges, which include 10 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and domestic terrorism driven by hatred. Earlier this year, federal prosecutors declared their intention to seek the death penalty in Gendron’s case.
According to Whitfield, this is not just any conspiracy, but rather the oldest one known to us – white supremacy.
There is no previous instance of a social media company being criminally charged as a co-defendant in a mass shooting. Prosecutors have not found any evidence that the Buffalo shooter had an “agreement” with any social media company to carry out the attack, which is a necessary element for federal conspiracy charges.
In May 2023, Whitfield and other family members of the victims of the Buffalo attack took legal action by filing a lawsuit in State Supreme Court in Buffalo. They aim to hold multiple social media companies accountable for assisting the perpetrator in carrying out the attack.
Twitch emphasized its commitment to safeguarding its community, stating that trust and safety are of utmost importance. In response to the lawsuit, the company expressed its dedication to continuously scrutinizing the Buffalo shooting incident and sharing the insights gained with others in the industry. Their aim is to contribute to the creation of a safer online environment for all.
Google, the parent company of YouTube, which was also mentioned in the lawsuit, has denied the allegations. They have stated that over the years, YouTube has made significant investments in technology, teams, and policies to effectively identify and remove extremist content. They also emphasized their collaboration with law enforcement, other platforms, and civil society to exchange intelligence and implement best practices.
In February, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, stated on its website that they consider a hate speech attack to be any form of dehumanizing speech, including statements of inferiority, expressions of contempt or disgust, cursing, and calls for exclusion or segregation. They also have strict policies against the use of harmful stereotypes, which they define as dehumanizing comparisons that have historically been used to attack, intimidate, or exclude specific groups, and that are often associated with offline violence. Additionally, Meta prohibits the use of slurs that target individuals based on their protected characteristics.
The KKK is ‘alive and well’
In his own words, 64-year-old Shepherd, who once identified as a racist but has since changed his views and now actively works against racial hate, expressed a deep sense of guilt.
According to Shepherd, the focus should not be solely on the attire worn by individuals, but rather on their mindset. Addressing this mentality is crucial. He emphasizes that while the internet can be a valuable tool, it is also being used to radicalize young people.
‘There’s nothing special about this day’
The 5/14 Memorial Commission will also unveil the chosen design for a second monument to be built in Buffalo, which is being funded by the state.
But for Whitfield, the day will be just like any other.
5/14 may hold significance for some, but it has been two years since then. However, its significance is not greater on 5/14 than it is on 5/13 or 5/12, or even today. As Whitfield expressed, “I have to navigate the remainder of my life without my mother and come to terms with what transpired.”
Whitfield expressed his determination to continue honoring his mother every day, for the rest of his life, through his work. He stated that there is nothing particularly significant about the upcoming day, as he strives to live by these principles on a daily basis. Whitfield believes that this is the best way to pay tribute to his mother and ancestors.
