It was exactly one week ago when Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher his killed his girlfriend—also the mother of his newborn daughter—before taking his own life. Her name was Kasandra Perkins. The young' mother's name and the issue of domestic violence has rarely been mentioned in the media narrative that has focused on Belcher.
Marc Lamont Hill hosted a great Huff Post Live discussion on Kassandra Perkins, domestic violence and "Burying the Real Victims." "Why have we only heard about [Belcher]?" he asked. Watch AFTER THE JUMP ...
"Society rewards celebrity .. and you heard about everything from his perspective first.His friends, the team and the NFL quickly [changed] the story," said Colorlines' Akiba Solomon. "Also if she were thin and blonde the media would have been more interested."
"We need to hear [Kasandra's] story because it's important," said EBONY.com News & Lifestyle Editor Jamilah Lemieux. "Because when her child grows up, she needs to know what happened and that her mother's life mattered. It mattered to her family and to the world."
Belcher shot Perkins in their Kansas City home last Saturday morning. Belcher's mother apparently was in the same room and witnessed the horrific scene. Perkins' funeral was held yesterday in Texas. The burial is today. Perkins and Belcher's daughter Zoey will receive a $1million payment from NFL.
More than 30 percent of all women killed each year are killed by their partners, according to the Domestic Violence Resource Center.
The guests also included Duke University Professor of Black Popular Culture Mark Anthony Neal. He was seen earlier this week on that terrific Huffpost Live segment on "Black Men Under Fire."
Thanks for posting this Rod. I was just disgusted by the inverted coverage and support of the murderer. Yes- Kasandra's life mattered.
Posted by: Jarid | 10 December 2012 at 21:18