HBCU Hazing Death Suit. Black Boys Terrorized. Disappearance of Marissa Kay Carmichael.#TheBreakdown
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖A wrongful death lawsuit was filed against Wilberforce University after a student died during a marching band hazing ritual.
- ❖Parents sued Cobb County police over a PIT maneuver that allegedly caused their son's death during a pursuit for a minor traffic violation.
- ❖A California mother sued a school district for failing to protect her sons from months of severe racial harassment by classmates.
- ❖The Supreme Court rejected a Rastafarian inmate's lawsuit for monetary damages after prison officials forcibly shaved his religious locks.
- ❖A woman fired for a viral anti-Muslim rant received over $163,000 in online support, sparking debate.
- ❖A Black man in New Orleans became the first person functionally cured of sickle cell disease through gene therapy.
- ❖A federal judge blocked a Trump administration effort to restrict SNAP recipients from buying certain food items.
- ❖Proactive tax planning, including setting aside funds and regular financial check-ins, is crucial for wealth building for individuals and business owners.
- ❖The disappearance of Marissa Kay Carmichael, a mother of five, highlights concerns about police response times and the challenges of missing persons cases.
- ❖Dr. Jay Barnett, a former NFL player, advocates for community-based healing from trauma, emphasizing 'unmasking, unpacking, and undoing what was done'.
Insights
1HBCU Hazing Death Leads to Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Parents of Savannah Jones filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Wilberforce University, a private HBCU, alleging their 18-year-old daughter died during a marching band hazing ritual called 'Turtle Crossing,' which involved drinking an entire bottle of liquor. The suit claims the university knew or should have known about such hazing practices despite its anti-hazing policies.
An Ohio couple have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Wilberforce University... after their daughter died during a marching band hazing ritual. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday by Jarin and Larissa Jackson, whose 18-year-old Savannah Jones died on April 30th. Their suit alleges that their daughter... died after participating in a ritual known as Turtle Crossing, which required her to drink an entire bottle of liquor...
2Police PIT Maneuver Results in Death, Prompts Federal Lawsuit
The parents of 21-year-old Boston Thomas filed a federal lawsuit against Cobb County officials, alleging a police officer used a dangerous PIT maneuver to stop their son's vehicle, resulting in his death. The lawsuit claims the officer violated department policy by aggressively pursuing Thomas, who was not suspected of a serious violent crime.
The parents of 21-year-old Boston Thomas, who died in May of 2024, have filed a federal lawsuit against officials in Cobb County saying one of its police officers used a dangerous maneuver that resulted in their son's death... the officer gave chase and eventually deployed what's known as a PIT maneuver... The lawsuit claims that the officer violated department policy by so aggressively pursuing and stopping Thomas, who was not suspected of a serious violent crime.
3School Sued for Racial Harassment of Black Students
A California mother is suing a school district after her two young sons, aged 7 and 10, endured months of relentless racial harassment from classmates at Mariposa Elementary School. The lawsuit claims the boys were called racist slurs and received a note stating, 'Your skin is as black as your future,' with the harassment escalating after students were introduced to the racially offensive 'Black Pete' character in class.
A mother in California is suing the school district after her two young sons endured months of relentless racial harassment from classmates and that school officials failed to protect them... they were repeatedly targeted with racist insults, including being called mud, tar ball, and told their skin was the color of dog food. One child was even handed a note that allegedly read, 'Your skin is as black as your future.' The family says the harassment escalated after students were introduced to the racially offensive Black Pete character in class.
4Supreme Court Denies Rastafarian Inmate Monetary Damages for Forced Hair Shaving
The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, rejected a former Black Rastafarian inmate's effort to sue Louisiana prison officials for monetary damages after they forcibly shaved his religiously grown dreadlocks. The court ruled that the federal law designed to protect incarcerated people from religious discrimination did not permit him to sue individual prison officials for money.
The Supreme Court has rejected a former black Rastafarian inmate's effort to sue Louisiana prison officials after they forcibly shaved his locks in 2020. Justice ruled Tuesday in a 6-3 decision that Damon Landor cannot sue the prison for money and damages after he says they violated his religious beliefs... The court upheld the lower court's decision to dismiss Landor's lawsuit because it found the statute at issue did not permit him to sue the individual prison officials and guards for monetary damages.
5Viral Anti-Muslim Rant Leads to Firing and Significant Financial Support
Isha Kilpatrick was fired from her job as a massage therapist after a viral video showed her verbally assaulting two Muslim women in a grocery store, making racially charged insults about their faith and presence in the U.S. Despite widespread condemnation, a fundraiser launched for her termination raised over $163,000, sparking heated online debates about financially rewarding anti-Muslim remarks.
A Texas woman who lost her job after a viral video showed her confronting two Muslim women in a HEB grocery store is gaining overwhelming support online. Isha Kilpatrick was fired from her position as a massage therapist after footage of her hurling racially charged insults to two women spread across social media... Kilpatrick could be heard calling Islam a terrorist organization and repeatedly telling them to go back to their Islamic country... A fundraiser has been launched following her termination and has raised more than $163,000...
6First Functional Cure for Sickle Cell Disease Achieved by Gene Therapy
Daniel Chrisy, a 23-year-old Black man in New Orleans, has become the first person functionally cured of sickle cell disease after undergoing two years of gene therapy. The therapy uses a patient's own stem cells, edited in a lab, to prevent the production of defective cells. Chrisy plans to start a non-profit to help others with the disease.
A black man in New Orleans has become the first person to be functionally cured of sickle cell disease. 23-year-old Daniel Chrisy underwent gene therapy at Manning Family Children's Hospital for 2 years, and now the disease is no longer active in the system... doctors said that the therapy uses a patient's own stem cells that have been edited in a lab, so they no longer produce the defective cells that cause the disease.
7Federal Judge Blocks Trump-Era SNAP Food Restrictions
US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson blocked a Trump administration-backed effort to prevent SNAP recipients in 23 states from using food benefits to buy items like candy and soda. The judge ruled that the executive branch lacks the authority to redefine 'food' under the SNAP program, stating only Congress can, and cited concerns about confusion, stigmatization, and hardship for low-income shoppers.
A federal judge has blocked a Trump administration-backed effort tied to the Make America Healthy Again agenda that would have stopped SNAP recipients in multiple states from using food benefits to buy items such as candy, soda, and sugary drinks. US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson ruled that the executive branch does not have the authority to redefine what counts as food under the SNAP benefits program, only Congress does.
8Proactive Tax Planning is Key to Wealth Building, Not Just Compliance
CPA Jamel Nelson emphasizes that proactive tax planning goes beyond timely filing; it involves anticipating tax obligations and strategically positioning finances to reduce liabilities and build wealth. Entrepreneurs can leverage opportunities like home office deductions, expensing healthcare insurance through their business, and hiring family members as contractors to offset taxable income.
So, tax planning is a huge um critical function of really being proactive and prepared... you're creating an expectation of how much taxes you will owe versus how much taxes you are preferring to pay... you can certainly reduce any tax liabilities... One of the biggest opportunities as a entrepreneur... is certainly going to be tapping into their um home office deductions... healthcare insurance... if you have any, uh, children or family members that could potentially, um, be considered a contractor within the business.
9Marissa Kay Carmichael's Disappearance: Questions Arise Over Police Response Time
Marissa Kay Carmichael, a 25-year-old mother of five, disappeared in January 2024 after making a 911 call from an Exxon gas station in Greensboro, NC, reporting she was stranded and her phone was taken. She was last seen getting into a car with a man, now a person of interest. Her mother questions the 40-minute police response time, suggesting it may have led Marissa to accept a ride from the wrong person.
Marissa Kay Carmichael was a 25-year-old mom of five who disappeared in January of 2024 in Greensboro, North Carolina... she makes this 911 call and she tells the operator that she's stranded, that someone who drove her to the Exxon threw out her belongings but kept her phone... the person who was heard in the background of the phone call is the one they say Marissa got into the car with... it took them approximately 40 minutes to respond to the 911 call.
10Healing from Trauma Requires Community and Intentional 'Unpacking'
Dr. Jay Barnett, a former NFL player and mental health advocate, defines healing as 'unmasking, unpacking, and undoing what was done.' He stresses that healing cannot be achieved in isolation and requires community support to address systemic, racial, and generational trauma that manifests in various behaviors and relationships. He advocates for safe, vetted spaces for shared healing journeys.
What healing really is is really unmasking, unpacking, and undoing what was done. Uh for us as black people, there's so much trauma that has happened with us systemically, there's so much trauma that has happened racially and generationally that shows up in different ways and different behaviors... you can't heal alone, you have to heal within a community.
Bottom Line
The 'Weathering' Effect of Constant Racial Stress: Everyday microaggressions and racial harassment, like the incident at Jensen Beach, contribute significantly to a cumulative stress burden on Black individuals, leading to measurable health impacts over time.
This highlights that racial injustice isn't just about overt acts but also the constant, low-level stress that erodes well-being. Recognizing 'weathering' is crucial for understanding health disparities and advocating for environments free from racial policing.
Develop and promote stress-reduction and resilience programs specifically designed to counteract the effects of 'weathering' in communities of color, integrating mental health support with broader social justice advocacy.
Public Financial Support for Racist Behavior: The significant fundraising for Isha Kilpatrick after her viral anti-Muslim rant demonstrates a disturbing societal trend where overtly racist actions can be financially rewarded by a segment of the public, fueling further division and validating hateful views.
This phenomenon challenges conventional notions of accountability and consequences for hate speech, indicating a polarized environment where some view such actions as expressions of free speech worthy of support, rather than bigotry.
Initiate public education campaigns and media literacy programs to dissect and challenge the normalization and financial incentivization of hate speech, promoting critical thinking about online narratives and their real-world impacts.
Critical Impact of Delayed Police Response in Vulnerable Situations: A 40-minute delay in police response to Marissa Kay Carmichael's 911 call from an unfamiliar gas station, where she reported being stranded and without her phone, likely influenced her decision to accept a ride from a stranger, who is now a person of interest in her disappearance.
This delay underscores how inadequate emergency response times can exacerbate vulnerability, potentially leading individuals into dangerous situations they might otherwise avoid. It raises questions about resource allocation and protocol for urgent calls involving stranded individuals.
Advocate for improved police response protocols and resource allocation for urgent calls involving vulnerable individuals, especially in unfamiliar locations. Additionally, community-led safety initiatives could offer immediate support networks for people in distress awaiting official help.
Opportunities
Non-Profit for Sickle Cell Patient Support
Establish a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals navigating the challenging medical journey of sickle cell disease, offering resources, community, and advocacy, inspired by Daniel Chrisy's personal experience and desire to help others.
Community-Based Mental Health & Trauma Healing Platform
Create an online community and 'experience' platform focused on mental health and trauma healing, offering monthly check-ins with vetted experts, group assignments, and safe spaces for men and women to address systemic, racial, and generational trauma collectively, as conceptualized by Dr. Jay Barnett's 'Just Heal' movement.
Specialized Proactive Tax Strategy & Planning Firm
Develop a consulting firm specializing in proactive tax planning and strategy for small business owners and individuals, focusing on reducing stress, protecting businesses, and building long-term wealth by leveraging often-overlooked deductions (e.g., home office, health insurance) and advising on estimated tax payments.
Key Concepts
Weathering
The concept that cumulative stress from constant exposure to racial discrimination and systemic injustice leads to premature physiological aging and adverse health outcomes in the Black community.
Proactive Financial Planning
A strategic approach to managing finances by anticipating future obligations (like taxes) and opportunities, allowing for pre-emptive actions to reduce liabilities and build wealth, rather than reacting to financial crises.
Lessons
- For any income earned, especially from side hustles or self-employment, proactively set aside a percentage into a dedicated tax account to avoid surprises and ensure funds are available for estimated tax payments.
- Business owners and individuals should meet with their tax professional regularly and monitor their budget and financial numbers monthly, rather than waiting until year-end, to stay ahead of financial requirements and identify tax-saving opportunities.
- If you are experiencing emotional pain or trauma, give yourself permission to explore these feelings and actively seek out vetted communities or groups that align with your healing goals, as collective support is crucial for recovery.
- Before engaging in therapy, coaching, or any wellness program, thoroughly vet the practitioners and groups to ensure they are credentialed, have appropriate motives, and provide a safe and properly trained space to avoid further traumatization.
Notable Moments
A Black man fishing at Jensen Beach, Florida, was accosted by a white couple who questioned his right to be there, despite him being in an allowed area, highlighting everyday racial harassment.
This incident serves as a stark example of how racial microaggressions and the policing of Black bodies in public spaces contribute to significant stress and demonstrate a persistent sense of entitlement rooted in white privilege.
The panelists define 'white privilege' through the lens of the Jensen Beach incident, where individuals felt entitled to police a Black man's presence in a public space without authority or threat.
This discussion provides a concrete, relatable example of white privilege, illustrating how it manifests in everyday interactions as an unearned sense of authority and control over others' presence and actions, even in public domains.
Former NFL player Dr. Jay Barnett shares his personal journey of surviving two suicide attempts after football, which led him to pursue therapy, earn a doctorate, and create the 'Just Heal' movement.
This moment powerfully personalizes the struggle with mental health, particularly for Black men and athletes, and demonstrates a transformative journey from personal crisis to becoming a dedicated advocate and community builder for healing.
Quotes
"Our journey was the hardest thing I've been in my life. And the reason why I work so hard with our organization previous pilots is because I don't want anybody else to have to experience the loneliness and the uncertainty and the hopelessness that I felt a couple of years ago."
"Financial wellness is the center of well-being from a mental standpoint, a health standpoint..."
"You cannot outrun you. You cannot outrun the trauma. It's going to show up in some facet of your life."
"Healing really is is really unmasking, unpacking, and undoing what was done."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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