Last June, Duanna Johnson was brutally beaten by Memphis police - and it was caught on video.
Johnson was in the booking area at the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center when she was hit repeatedly in the face and head by a police officer while another held her down.
"Actually he was trying to get me to come over to where he was, and I responded by telling him that wasn't my name - that my mother didn't name me a 'faggot' or a 'he-she,' so he got upset and approached me. And that's when it started," Johnson said.
This week, Johnson was murdered. Helen at My Husband Betty brings us the tragic story:
She was shot execution style while on her "usual corner."I'm tired of this.
I want there to be no reason for the Transgender Day of Remembrance. I want there to be no new names on that goddamn list.
I hope her mother, and her family, and her friends, find peace, and that she has too.
Johnson was suing the city for $1.3 million over the June assault, so something tells me they're not exactly going to give Johnson's case top priority.
Pam has more, including a statement from the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition.
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Duanna Johnson looked like a troubled woman---not exactly a model citizen. However, her execution style murder should be investigated intensely. Something doesn’t smell right. What a horrible shame in so many ways.
Really?
What exactly is a "model citizen" and what does such a thing look like?
It's a citizen that walks on catwalks and looks pretty in pictures. In all practicality, they exist, but the chance of bumping into one is practically zero.
It seems that sentiments like that-in of course a much more extreme form- are factors that contribute to such hateful activity in the first place. If a white person who fit the "heteronormative" mold were brutally beaten and shot by cops, I strongly doubt that anyone would be questioning whether or not he was a "model citizen". I strongly urge you to question your own prejudices. Next time you want to make a comment like that, ask yourself what beliefs of yours it reflects.
Re kurd55:"Duanna Johnson looked like a troubled woman---not exactly a model citizen."
Really? Did you think even think about what you were writing? Let's apply the logic to elsewhere and see how it pans out, shall we?
"She really dressed provocatively---not at all like a nice girl should. Still, the rape should be investigated intensely..."
Mmmm, yeah, that seems about right...
Addendum: Unless you were attempting to say something like, "The reason this is not getting more attention is because she does not fit certain social expectations."
this comment is evidence that ignorance, prejudice and hatred know many forms
I wish news and such wouldn't report if a person who was arrested was transsexual. While I doubt the cops would kill her (though they might bribe someone else), I do not doubt for a minute that she was killed because someone recognized her from the paper.
I hope the Memphis police aren't allowed to investigate this, it should be investigated by Internal Affairs or another jurisdiction. Too closely tied to the brutality case. I bet they will, though.
"Duanna Johnson looked like a troubled woman---not exactly a model citizen."
I'm sorry, I fail to see how this is relevant. I mean, just...why bring that up?
(But now that you have...I wouldn't try too hard to be a "model citizen" either if my city didn't recognize my basic humanity. I would be focused on survival.)
Thank you for bringing this up from the first comment. The first time I read it I was to angry to respond. It doesn't matter WHAT she LOOKED like, she's a PERSON who was MURDERED.
The first comment really makes me miss the -1 feature.
Ugh, this is so upsetting. First she was obviously called names and disrespected, then she was beat up for standing up for herself, and now she's dead! Why are some people so afraid of other human beings who just happen to be "different" from them or who don't fit into a proscribed societal box? :/
Ms. Johnson's murder is just one more reason why I'll be outside the US Capitol on Saturday: http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com.
Model Citizen, you have got to be fucking kidding me? Duanna operated with not one but three areas of social stigmatization and you are concerned with whether or not she was a model citizen..you stink of all kinds of privilege...What should matter to you is that a woman is dead. With all of the violence that happens to trans women particularly when they of are of color you decide yeah why not shame her to make her death seem less tragic.
The balance for Duanna Johnson's funeral is $1195 and the funeral home is requiring Mrs. Skinner (Duanna's mother) to pay it by tomorrow (11/14). The cost is a hardship, so we are asking anyone who can to donate. Please send any donations to:
N.J. Ford and Sons Funeral Home
12 S Parkway W
Memphis, TN 38109
If you want any clarification from NJ Ford, here is their contact number: (901) 948-7755.
Please forward this to as many people as you can!! Thanks!