Nancy Metayer Bowen was beloved in her community. She was an environmental scientist, a community advocate, an HBCU graduate, vice mayor of Coral Springs, Florida, and, most importantly, a sister, daughter, and friend. Bowen’s life was tragically taken on April 1 in a way that claims the lives of too many Black women every year.
Domestic violence. According to The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, an estimated 51% of homicides among Black women are the result of intimate partner violence. And when Black women are forced to kill in self-defense, the criminal legal system punishes them for it.
One reason many Black women experiencing abuse decide not to report an abusive partner to the police is fear of cops killing them or their partner. This fear stems from a longstanding history of policing built on abuse, brutality, and mass incarceration.
Another reason is the systemic denial of Black people’s access to economic opportunities. Studies show that when a couple is under financial pressure, intimate partner violence becomes much more likely. These stressors can be deadly for Black women. Survivors can become trapped in abusive relationships because they lack the resources to escape or seek help.
The legacy of slavery and segregation also contributes to long-term harm in the form of cultural norms about privacy and resilience. We’re taught that what happens under our roof is no one else’s business. Black women are taught to be strong for everyone while putting themselves last. Religious beliefs often discourage obtaining professional help. Religious teachings that preach staying in marriages “till death” also play a role in the reluctance to end an abusive relationship. The bottom line is that protecting Black women is a crucial component of our collective liberation. None of us can truly be free in a world where Black women are victims of violence. Organizations doing this work that you can support: Black Women Revolt, Ujima, National Black Women’s Justice Institute.