Unequal Justice: Why Missing Women of Color Are Not Treated with Urgency
When someone goes missing, the urgency to find them should be the same regardless of their skin color, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case in America. Missing women of color are not treated with the urgency they deserve, and this has led to countless cases going unresolved.
The disparities in media reporting on missing white women vs. women of color is all too apparently. What's more, this disparity actually affects investigations into missing person cases. What can possibly be done to correct these injustices?
The Crisis of Missing Native American Women
There are an alarming number of missing and murdered Native American women in the United States. According to the National Crime Information Center, there were over 5,000 reports of missing Native American women in 2016 alone. And this number is likely to be even higher, as many cases go unreported.
However, of equally great concern is the fact that of those 5,712 reports, only 116 cases were logged through the federal missing persons database maintained by the U.S. Department of Justice. Additionally, another study completed in 2016 found that nearly 85% of female Native Americans and Alaska Natives have experienced violence.
Why Is This Happening?
There are a number of factors that contribute to the high rates of violence against Native American women. One is the historical oppression they have faced at the hands of white settlers. Another is the remote locations of the reservations where many of them live, which makes it difficult for law enforcement to respond quickly to reports of crimes.
Additionally, there is often a lack of trust between Native communities and police forces, which can make people hesitant to come forward with information about crimes. For the 78% of Native women who live outside of reservations, many fall into what’s referred to as the “pipeline of vulnerability.” Many of these women have spent time in the foster care system as youth, or they are living in poverty.
Poor Reporting of Missing Women of Color
One of the biggest problems facing missing women of color is that their cases are not given the same attention as those of white women. This fact was highlighted in research led by journalism professor Dr. Mia Moody of Baylor University, in addition to other studies. Dr. Moody found that missing Black and Hispanic women were less likely to have their cases featured on news programs than missing white women. This disparity exists even when controlling for factors such as age, circumstances of disappearance, and whether or not a body has been found.
This discrepancy in media coverage has a number of negative impacts. First, it means that fewer people are aware of these cases, which makes it more difficult to find the missing women. Second, it gives the impression that these cases are not as important as those involving white victims. And finally, it can make law enforcement less likely to prioritize these cases.
Media Disparities in Such Cases
One of the most glaring examples of this disparity is the way media often depict missing white women as opposed to missing Black women. White women are often described as "angels" or "daughters," while Black women are referred to as "prostitutes," "drug addicts," or merely "runaways" who aren't truly missing. This difference in language perpetuates the idea that white women are more worthy of sympathy and help than Black women.
These disparities exist even when the circumstances of the disappearances are similar. For instance, both Laci Peterson and Tamika Huston went missing after leaving a party. Peterson, who was white, received constant coverage on news programs and was featured on the cover of magazines. Huston, who was Black, received little media attention and her case was mostly ignored by law enforcement.
While the Peterson case dominated headlines in the early 2000s, a more recent example of this “missing white woman syndrome”—a term coined by journalist Gwen Ifill—was the case of Gabby Petito this past year. Petito's case received national attention, with TV news networks breathlessly keeping viewers up to date on the search for her. The Washington Post noted that in one seven-day period, Petito's name was mentioned 398 times on Fox News, 346 times on CNN, and 100 times on MSNBC.
These examples make it clear that missing women of color are not given the same level of concern by the media as white women. But why is this? One theory is that the media is more likely to cover cases involving white victims because they are seen as more "relatable." Another possibility is that the police are more likely to investigate cases involving white victims because they are perceived as more valuable.
Ultimately, the disparity is rooted in the systemic racism that permeates almost every aspect of life in America—and it has a real impact on investigations into missing person cases. In some instances, police officers have actually admitted that they would have looked into a case sooner if the victim had been white. This delay can often mean the difference between life and death.
What Can We Do?
If we want to see justice for missing women of color, we need to start by addressing the inequalities in the way their cases are reported and investigated. This will require a concerted effort on the part of law enforcement, the media, and society as a whole. You can start by supporting organizations such as the Black and Missing Foundation and Native Hope, which do such advocacy work. We must work to ensure these women are not forgotten and to show the world that their lives matter too.